Overview of the Role of the Unit Ministry Team (UMT) in OperationDesert/Shield/Desert Storm with a Critical Evaluation of Religious Support Activities and Technical Doctrine, and Command Team Assessment of UMT Actions, Capabilities and Effectiveness

摘要

Operation Desert Shield/Storm provides the United States military with the datato shape the thinking of strategic planners as they design the force of the future. It is imperative that the Chaplain Corps analyze the activities of the Unit Ministry Teams (UMTs) as they performed religious support in this conflict to ensure that correct chaplain doctrine moves with the Army into the future. This project utilizes observations and lessons learned through personal interviews with Desert Shield/Storm commanders who are now students at the U.S. Army War College, spouses of those commanders where applicable, and questionnaires from the chaplains who served with these commanders in the Persian Gulf. The information obtained from these sources is critically evaluated in juxtaposition with current Army Chaplain Corps doctrine and a military family support historical review in order to provide pragmatic recommendations for effective religious support in the next war.