By Mary Barczak
Staff writer
Second Lt. Justin Mills describes Cadet Byron Adams as a compassionate and caring young man.
“He showed care for one of his fellow comrades the other day when he took it upon himself to come and tell me that one of them had a torn PT shirt,” he said. “And I think that (caring) is a good quality chaplains should have.”
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Video by Douglas Worthington
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“(I want to be) helping people out, I don’t know why, but it’s fun,” he said. “I’m good at it, and I have good people skills.”
Adams, who attends Washington State University, said he’s wanted to become a chaplain for about the last three to four years.
He was in Air Force ROTC his first year in college, but soon withdrew from the program when he discovered the Air Force didn’t support chaplains in the way he needed. He set his sights on the Army.
If he decides to become an Army chaplain, he will be able to finish college and then continue on with a three-year degree program at the seminary, something the Air Force could not offer.
Adams said he always wanted to do something with the military, but he just didn’t know exactly what.
Adams said going to church had always been a part of his life growing up. However, it has become more important to him as he’s gotten older.
“When I was younger, I resented it because I felt like I was being forced to do it, but now I really enjoy it,” he said. “I go there as much as I can when I can.”
Adams said his parents and older brother were excited for him when he told them he wanted to be a chaplain.
“They didn’t know it was coming,” he said with a smile. “Mom’s the nervous type about the military in general and Dad’s, ‘Just do what you want do with your life.’ ”
Adams said the hardest part of LTC will be not talking to his parents and friends, because of the three-hour time difference between Kentucky and his home. But he said he will write to them while he is at Fort Knox.
“I don’t get a gun, though, so I’m kinda bummed about that,” he said. “You know other people can say, ‘Oh, I blow crap up’ but you’re there (as a chaplain) to help your Soldiers and without a gun.”