Chaplains of the
36th Infantry Division
by
Chaplain (Colonel) Herbert E. MacCombie
Division Chaplain
Promoting The Chaplains
After Salerno we received the three extra
chaplains that had been promised to us by the Fifth Army. I went
down to Naples to pick them up. I discovered that they all held the
rank of Captain. For months I had been trying to get some of my
chaplains promoted.
We had nine 1st Lieutenants among our
chaplains. They were held back by the provisions of army regulations
that provided men could only be promoted to position vacancies.
One of the new chaplains had been in the
service for less time than our chaplains had been overseas. I
investigated the problem and discovered that regulations had been changed
for chaplains. In the States a chaplain could be promoted to captain after
six months of satisfactory service.
The regulations had not yet been made
effective in our Theater. I discussed the matter with our G1, and
with the Fifth Army Chaplain. After awhile the new regulations were
made effective for troops in Italy. At once I visited each
regimental commander and explained the new regulations and suggested that
they recommend their First Lieutenants for promotion to Captain.
All but one agreed. One felt that such
a promotion would be unwise. He had had a bad experience with one
chaplain. After the chaplain had been promoted, he became lazy and
inefficient. Promotion to Captain would mean his chaplains had
probably reached their limit of promotion.
I said to him, “In my judgment there are just
three kinds of chaplains. One is the right man in the right place
and for him we are all thankful. Secondly is a good man in the wrong
place. Him we try to transfer to a place where he can do the good
work of which he is capable. Thirdly is the no good chaplain.
Him we re-classify and get rid of him. You should consider the
problem and decide in which classification your chaplains belong. If
by the end of the month you have not recommended your chaplains for either
promotion or re-classification I will think that you have a good man in
the wrong place, and I will recommend their transfer.”
The chaplains were promoted.
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Copyright 2001
by Mary MacCombie Fietsam
Printed by Permission |
