Sailor Serves With Religious Ministries In Horn of Africa by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Natalia Murillo
December 30, 2020
The dimming African sun shines through the red, white and blue
fabric of the flag as Barry Menges hoists it to the top of the pole
during a ceremonial flag presentation.
U.S. Navy Religious Program
Specialist 1st Class Barry Menges of Auburn, Indiana,
positions candles for a Blue Christmas service held on Camp
Lemonnier on December 21, 2020. Blue Christmas, also known
as the Longest Night, falls on the Winter Solstice. A
western Christian tradition, it is designed for those who
may have difficulty during the holidays due to mourning a
loss, life change or other emotional struggle. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Natalia Murillo)
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U.S. Navy Religious Program Specialist 1st Class Barry Menges
from Auburn, Indiana, is a U.S. Navy Sailor deployed to Camp
Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), to provide administrative assistance and
protect the base Chaplains.
Menges, a 2001 graduate of
DeKalb High School, credits his interest to serve as a Religious
Program Specialist to a conversation had as a young man in Auburn.
“When I was 29, a friend in the Army shared with me what he does
as a Chaplain’s assistant and it sounded very rewarding so I
researched what the different branches had to offer in that military
occupation and decided to go with RP in the Navy,” said Menges.
Religious Program Specialists (RPs) serve God and country.
According to Navy officials, they prepare devotional materials,
organize faith-based events, maintain religious records, and serve
as a source of personal security for Navy Chaplains. Part of the
RP’s training includes marine combat training.
“It would be
very difficult to be in a situation like this without an RP.
Chaplains aren’t combatants, we can’t carry weapons,” said CLDJ’s
Chaplain Cmdr. Luis Alderman. “They’re our bodyguards for whenever
we go outside the wire. We couldn’t do any kind of ministry without
them.”
U.S. Navy Chaplain Cmdr. Luis Alderman of Cumberland, Maryland, left, and Religious Program Specialist 1st Class Barry Menges of Auburn, Indiana, discuss Blue Christmas at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on December 21, 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Natalia Murillo)
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Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti supports combat readiness and provides
security to ships, aircraft, forward-detachments and personnel in
the Horn of Africa while fostering positive relationships between
the U.S. and many nations in Africa. Located in an austere
environment, Camp Lemonnier is the only enduring U.S. military base
on the continent of Africa.
“I found as I got older, only
living for myself, I was missing the big picture of life and there
really is more return in the investment of others outside of
myself,” said Menges. “This discovery led me to the armed forces in
hopes of specifically serving as an RP with Chaplains where one may
serve those personnel, outside of ourselves who are already
sacrificing and serving.”
In addition to group services of
faith on base, the CLDJ Chaplains and the Religious Programs
Specialists provide individual guidance and support at adverse
locations.
As
the team leader for CLDJ’s religious ministries, Menges coordinates
the office operations. He is most proud of the supportive services
he provides to his fellow service members stationed here.
“What I like most about my job is seeing individuals out here in
the fight receive the appropriate support they require to get back
in the fight,” states Menges.
One way that Menges gives back at CLDJ is by overseeing the
base’s ceremonial flag program.
Flags are often flown and
sent back to a loved one or supportive friends.
Menges adds that you can request the date and time that your flag
be flown. Anyone may contact the Chaplain’s office to fly a state
flag, U.S. flag or nationality flag. There is no cost for this
service and the accompanying certificate. The flags are not
provided.
Mendes also takes pride in his own authority to be
as a resource for his fellow sister and brothers in arms who may
need someone to talk to in times of need.
“Religious Program
Specialists fall under the Navy regulation holding us to complete
confidentiality,” said Menges. “Nothing disclosed to any member of
our team is ever released without your discretion no matter who is
requesting information regarding a counseling, regardless of rank.”
Menges adds how working in an office filled with a team of
encouragement and guidance provides its own benefits.
“Working directly for Chaplains is like having a personal support
team every day.”
U.S. Navy/a>
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