Article December 14, 1963 Issue

Activities for the Armed Services

In the Armed Forces of the United States and other countries service personnel when unable to perform their duties must go on sick call, or report to the infirmary. What steps should a Christian Scientist take when he has to go on sick call, because physically incapacitated? He is encouraged, whenever possible, to communicate with the Christian Science Chaplain, Minister, or Representative at his installation before going and request help either from him or from a practitioner of his own choice. When it is impossible for him to communicate with the Field worker, then he may ask his unit Chaplain or a friend to send the message for him.

In times of need, Chaplains, Ministers, and Representatives have been able to take service personnel to their homes for short periods of study and prayer. As a result the personnel have been quickly healed and enabled to return promptly to their military duties. Usually such occasions have come at the close of the workday or on weekends.

Army, Navy, and Air Force regulations provide that service personnel may see their Chaplains when they have problems. Many Christian Scientists have availed themselves of this right. How this right operates on their behalf is illustrated by an experience at a Coast Guard training station. One morning a serviceman lost consciousness. When he revived, he refused to go to sick bay, or the infirmary. Immediately a Protestant Chaplain was called, and he telephoned the Christian Science Minister who visits the training station. After thanking the Chaplain for his alertness, the Minister asked to receive a report on the serviceman's condition in one hour.

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