Chaplains in T2K

[James Langham2]

In the British Army chaplains are unarmed. They are commissioned officers with a status of CF4 (Chaplain to the Forces grade 4 = Captain), CF3 (=Major) and CF2 (=Lt Col). They undertake a short course at Sandhurst for specialists (after ordaining) known colloquially as the "Vicars and Tarts Course."

They are banned from carrying weapons (indeed there was a fuss when one was photographed with a weapon in Afghanistan but many are interested in shooting (2 Para's chaplain in the early 1980s coached their shooting team).

They do not have assistants.

[dragoon500ly]

In the U.S. military, chaplains are supposed to be unarmed, so I'm a bit puzzled about these stories of chaplains carrying such a variety of weapons. I've reviewed over 120 TO&Es and only two mention chaplain being armed, and equally interesting, both of these were removed within 12 months of being released. IMHO this indicates that when a chaplain is armed, they are violating military regulations, as well as the Geneva Conventions. Having said this, there are no regulations forbidding a chaplain from earning a shooting badge, they simply cannot carry a weapon in a combat zone.

As far as the chaplain's assistant, they are more drivers and administrative assistants, hence they are not violating regulations or Conventions if they go armed. In practice (Vietnam and Korea), they acted as a "bodyguard" for the chaplain.

As for medical personnel, this is a bit more open as they can be armed for self-defense purposes, especially in a guerrilla war where the rebels do not honor the Conventions. Indeed, in Vietnam especially, medics carried pistols and rifles, armed their ambulances and didn't hesitate to return fire when attacked.

In addition, Doctors and Nurses, in the U. S. Military, are commissioned officers and are authorized to carry pistols, but are not to engage in combat. I know, doesn't make sense, but it is the military and nowhere does it say it has to make sense.

So, for a T2K scenario, what does the poor GM do? It's your game, your decision is final.

[Silent Hunter UK]

I rather think the Geneva Convention has gone out of the proverbial window by this point.

[unkated]

Chaplains may feel they are held by a higher level agreement than the Geneva Convention.

[swaghauler]

Am I the only one who reads this thread and envisions the Priest from Hot Fuzz saying "F*** off grasshopper!" as he puts two into the hero?

[Adm.Lee]

Originally Posted by swaghauler

Am I the only one who reads this thread and envisions the Priest from Hot Fuzz saying "F*** off grasshopper!" as he puts two into the hero?

And no one's mentioned Shepherd Book from "Firefly"?

Zoe: "Doesn't the Bible have pretty specific things to say about killing?"
Book, loading a weapon: "Quite specific. It is, however, somewhat fuzzy around the subject of kneecaps."

And if you watch the following combat scene, he's not aiming above the waist.

Also, "I wasn't always a Shepherd."

[James Langham2]

Originally Posted by Adm.Lee

And no one's mentioned Shepherd Book from "Firefly"?

Zoe: "Doesn't the Bible have pretty specific things to say about killing?"
Book, loading a weapon: "Quite specific. It is, however, somewhat fuzzy around the subject of kneecaps."

And if you watch the following combat scene, he's not aiming above the waist.

Also, "I wasn't always a Shepherd."

Much as I love it he's really a bad example as reading Joss Wheedon's info he is actually an agent who takes the identity of a dead priest (another nice NPC idea!)

[James Langham2]

Actually another thought - the film "The Mission" gives a perfect example of the soldier who tormented by his crimes becomes a priest and has to decide if he should take up arms with the natives against the SPanish.

[James Langham2]

Originally Posted by unkated

Chaplains may feel they are held by a higher level agreement than the Geneva Convention.

I can see a padre assisting fight marauders to defend a village for example. Might make a great NPC, a padre who fought as he had to defend others and now feels conflicted and tormented.

[Higgipedia]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

In the U.S. military, chaplains are supposed to be unarmed, so I'm a bit puzzled about these stories of chaplains carrying such a variety of weapons. I've reviewed over 120 TO&Es and only two mention chaplain being armed, and equally interesting, both of these were removed within 12 months of being released. IMHO this indicates that when a chaplain is armed, they are violating military regulations, as well as the Geneva Conventions. Having said this, there are no regulations forbidding a chaplain from earning a shooting badge, they simply cannot carry a weapon in a combat zone.

Most Chaplains I've been around downrange were unarmed, as they are supposed to be. I can think of one, who was an Weapons Squad Leader in Gulf War I, who insisted on having an M4 when we were convoying out during the initial Iraq invasion in 2003. He was one of those crusading Baptist types who thought all of the Muslims were animals. PFC Higgins wasn't going to challenge a Chaplain, that's for sure. Of course, I have a pretty contentious relationship with the concept and influence of chaplains in the military. Largely because of guys like this.