The agents of hope empower Airmen Published Dec. 22, 2014 By Senior Airman Jannelle Dickey 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - -- When a military member is facing a life challenge, the chaplain core is available to help them to persevere. The Air Force chaplain core is defined by six words, "glorifying God, serving Airmen, pursuing excellence." The Barksdale Chapel exemplifies that with the range of programs and services they offer to Airmen and their families to assist with spiritual resiliency. "The label for what we provide as a chaplain corp is warrior care," said Capt. K. Noel Blancaflor, 2nd Bomb Wing deputy wing chaplain. "Counseling within warrior care is one of the many tactics we implement in order to get Airmen spiritually resilient as they deal with stress, hardship and tragedy." Blancaflor believes chaplains empower Airmen with value and confidence by focusing on the positive aspects within their lives. "I'm able to bring hope and light to people and that is important because stress is emotionally draining and hurt is real," said Chaplain (Capt.) Jeremy Caudill, 2nd Bomb Wing. "The best part is building authentic relationships with people and showing them there is someone who cares." Chaplains are formally trained to counsel all people, regardless of their faith background. People also have 100 percent confidentiality during a counseling session. Whatever is said to a chaplain remains private and is not repeated to anyone. "People know if they come to [see] the chaplain, it's a safe place and they don't have to fear anything," said Caudill. "It's important for Airmen to know there is an open door and a listening ear." When an Airman worries about talking to an officer, that's where Tech. Sgt. Leonardo Castaneda, 2nd Bomb wing chaplain assistant, makes a difference. "At times, enlisted members approach us because we are enlisted like them; then we route them to a chaplain," said Castaneda. "Chaplain assistants are basically an additional set of eyes and ears for chaplains. We support chaplains and the mission of the Chaplain Corps which is caring for Airmen and their families." Trust is a strong contributor to the counseling they provide. "People trusting us with hard aspects of their life story is an honor," said Caudill. "To me, that's what serving Airmen is about. They come to me with a delicate part of their life and they trust me to help them." Other services the Barksdale Chapel offers include worship services, religious education opportunities, bible studies and resiliency retreats. "When we look at [the] commander's vision of people-mission-pride we are definitely the people part of that, enabling Airmen to carry out the mission" said Blancaflor. "The thing I love about being a chaplain is that I get to be an agent of hope in a very trying world." Being able to help others and building relationships makes the job worthwhile for Caudill. "When you get an email that says 'thank you so much,' it means the world that you've helped someone get back on track," he said. "It's a great job."