Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff

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As part of this discussion it is relevant to recall one real life example of such engagement by a military chaplain in the work of former U.S. Navy and Command Chaplain Rabbi Arnold [Resnicoff], who as both Vietnam War veteran and later rabbi, led and coordinated three International Military Chiefs of Chaplains Conferences in Europe. It was there that he introduced a new vision of the potential role of chaplains as liaisons to religious leaders (Lee, Burke, and Crayne, 2004, p.15) and of religion as a force for peace and conflict resolution (Christian Science Monitor, 1999), and for reconciliation after the battles (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 1999). As an influential figure in the U.S. military [Resnicoff] advocated an expanded role for military chaplains in peace and reconciliation initiatives. He argued that chaplains have a role to play in the area of engaging with and building ties and strengthening relationships with civilian religious leaders; and specifically that “NATO chaplains should have a greater role in supporting Allied troops with personal moral conflicts, and in reducing misunderstandings about foreign religious beliefs. During his tenure of service in 1999 he suggested that it is important to move fast and establish regional cooperative programs in such potential hot spots as Eastern Europe and South Africa “so that we are ahead of the power curve before another Kosovo explodes.

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