A Chaplain who is a Christian Scientist might find himself in a combat zone or a coffeehouse, on a helicopter trip or a parachute jump. It's all in a day's work.
Most of the men he ministers to are Protestants. He comforts and counsels them, and conducts Protestant services for them, even preaching a sermon. Naturally, he cares for the needs of Christian Scientists in his area, too. He holds Christian Science services and responds to their needs with prayer that heals. But mainly, he shepherds a heterogeneous flock.
A Christian Science Chaplain in Vietnam with an infantry battalion tells of his work: "In my Christian ministry to these men I've had many inspirational experiences. I've known a young Christian Scientist to stand up in the face of enemy fire and tackle his lieutenant, who was a running ball of fire, after a white phosphorous grenade had ignited at his side. I've felt God's power as I flew into the enemy's hideouts with my men on helicopter combat assaults to the tune of machine-gun fire and rocket explosions. I've felt God's compassionate care as I've gone into 'hot' zones with the 'medivac' helicopters to snatch wounded men from battle. I knew God's ever-presence when I helped pull three airmen from the shattered wreckage of their craft high in the remote jungled mountains. I have experienced God's protection during the many times I've seen ... bullets kicking at my feet or cracking overhead."
