Four New Candidates Inducted into Illinois National Guard Chaplain Corps

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Lt. Col. Stephen Cooper of Rockford, places a stole around the shoulders of 1st Lt. Monte Bowers of Shelbyville during an induction ceremony into the Illinois Army National Guard’s Chaplain Corps.

• Lt. Col. Stephen Cooper of Rockford, places a stole around the shoulders of 1st Lt. Jeffery Nelson of Grayslake during an induction ceremony into the Illinois Army National Guard’s Chaplain Corps.
• First Lt. Monte Bowers of Shelbyville, 1st Lt. Justin Anweiler of Lincoln, Lt. Col. Stephen Cooper of Rockford, 1st Lt. Jeffery Nelson of Grayslake and 1st Lt. Kip Troeger of Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD, IL (05/21/2013)(readMedia)-- Four chaplain candidates were inducted into the Illinois Army National Guard's Chaplain Corps May 18 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

The candidates where presented a stole, a liturgical vestment used by various Christian denominations, to honor their completion of Army chaplain training, seminary school and their induction into the Illinois Army National Guard Chaplain Corps.

The chaplain candidates inducted into the Chaplain Corps were:

• 1st Lt. Justin Anweiler of Lincoln with the 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment in Peoria

• 1st Lt. Monte Bowers of Shelbyville with the 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur.

• 1st Lt. Kip Troeger of Springfield with the 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battlion in Machesney Park

• 1st Lt. Jeffery Nelson of Grayslake with the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Artillery Regiment in Milan

The new chaplains will provide spiritual and religious support for Soldiers in the Illinois National Guard. Chaplains are among the support groups available to Soldiers and family looking for advice, counseling and guidance.

Many of the National Guard chaplains are also pastors in their civilian occupations providing spiritual guidance in their local communities.

The U.S. Army Chaplain Corps is one of the oldest and smallest branches of the Army. The Chaplain Corps dates back to July 29, 1775, when the Continental Army was authorized one chaplain per regiment.

photo 1) Submitted photo/ Lt. Col. Stephen Cooper of Rockford, the acting state command chaplain for the Illinois National Guard, places a stole, a liturgical vestment used by various Christian denominations, around the shoulders of 1st Lt. Monte Bowers of Shelbyville with the 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur during an induction ceremony into the Illinois Army National Guard's Chaplain Corps May 18 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

photo 2) Submitted photo/ Lt. Col. Stephen Cooper of Rockford, the acting state command chaplain for the Illinois National Guard, places a stole, a liturgical vestment used by various Christian denominations, around the shoulders of 1st Lt. Jeffery Nelson of Grayslake with the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Artillery Regiment in Milan during an induction ceremony into the Illinois Army National Guard's Chaplain Corps May 18 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

photo 3) U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office/ First Lt. Monte Bowers of Shelbyville, 1st Lt. Justin Anweiler of Lincoln, Lt. Col. Stephen Cooper of Rockford, 1st Lt. Jeffery Nelson of Grayslake and 1st Lt. Kip Troeger of Springfield, pose for a photo following an induction ceremony into the Illinois Army National Guard's Chaplain Corps May 18 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.