WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OH -- Airmen train to stay physically strong, mentally sharp, and socially connected, but true readiness also depends on spiritual fitness. The Air Force Materiel Command Chaplain Corps plays a critical role in promoting comprehensive wellness, ensuring Airmen and families have the resilience and purpose needed to face life’s challenges.
“Our passion is people,” said Chaplain (Col.) Dale Marlowe, Command Chaplain. “We are here to ensure that every Airman knows they matter, that they have a safe place to turn, and that their spiritual well-being is taken seriously.”
At AFMC, the chaplain team is comprised of three Airmen: Chaplain Marlowe; Chief Master Sgt. Jennifer Abel, Senior Enlisted Leader, Religious Affairs; and Tech. Sgt Tyler Ramirez, Manager, Readiness and Resource Support.
The team provides counseling, religious services, and spiritual support for more than 80,000 AFMC uniformed and civilian Airmen serving worldwide. Their efforts extend beyond worship, with a focus on building trust, offering confidential guidance, and being available during both personal challenges and professional demands.
Chaplains help create a climate of dignity and respect by advocating for human worth, teaching spiritual resilience skills, and building partnerships with mental health providers, family readiness offices, and other support agencies. This integrated approach ensures Airmen and families have access to care before issues reach a crisis point.
A central focus of the chaplain mission is spiritual fitness, identified in Air Force guidance as one of the four pillars of Comprehensive Airman Fitness. Spiritual fitness is the ability to sustain purpose, core values, and hope even during times of stress or hardship. Chaplains encourage Airmen to develop spiritual disciplines and practices that strengthen inner resilience.
“When we talk about spiritual fitness, we are really talking about a person’s ability to make sense of life and find strength to endure,” Marlowe said. “It is about having the inner resources to navigate stress and uncertainty.”
Spiritually fit Airmen often demonstrate stronger coping strategies, healthier relationships, and an increased ability to recover from adversity. Chaplains help foster this by promoting reflection, dialogue, and connection. The primary goal is not to prescribe a particular belief, but to help every Airman discover sources of meaning and purpose that are authentic to them.
Another priority area chaplains help Airmen cope with is moral injury, which can result from actions or experiences that violate an individual’s deeply held beliefs or values. Unlike post-traumatic stress, moral injury is often characterized by guilt, shame, or a feeling of betrayal.
“It is not just about what happened,” Marlowe explained. “It is about how someone makes meaning of it. Our role is to listen, walk with them, and help them find healing in ways that align with their own values and beliefs.”
To meet these challenges, chaplains and Religious Affairs Airmen integrate into the daily life of the command. They provide a visible, approachable presence in units, on the flight line, and at community events. Their work is rooted in confidentiality, ensuring Airmen can seek help without fear of stigma or negative impact on their careers.
“We want Airmen to know they do not have to go through difficult moments alone,” said Marlowe. “Reaching out is not a weakness. It is a step toward resilience.”
The Chaplain Corps connects members to resources that address the full range of needs, including counseling services, crisis intervention, family programs, and opportunities for worship or reflection. By prioritizing spiritual health alongside physical, mental, and social fitness, AFMC chaplains affirm that whole-person wellness is essential to mission success.
“Every Airman has a story, and those stories matter,” Marlowe said. “Our job is to make sure they know they are valued, supported, and never without a place to turn.
For more information, individuals can contact their local base chapel or if after duty hours, contact the local command post to be connected to a Chaplain Corps member.