Chaplaincy in America: Part 2 - The Vietnam War

Chaplaincy in America: Part 2 - The Vietnam War

May 21, 2026 · 59 min · Season 4 · Episode 10

About this episode

This episode explores the role of chaplains during the Vietnam War and their impact on religion and American society.

Chaplains– clergy attached to a secular institution including hospitals, prisons, embassies, schools, labor unions, police departments, fire departments, universities, intelligence agencies, airports, and military services - play a unique and meaningful role in the American landscape. These are ordained clergy who minister to members of the chaplain’s particular faith, to facilitate ministry to those of other faiths, and to care for all – including those who claim no religious faith. In this episode we are going to hear what Vietnam war chaplains teach us about religion, war, and the American project. It is our hope that by the end of this episode, each of us will be equipped to be more effective stewards of religion’s role in the ongoing American experiment in self-government. Season 4, Episode 10: American Chaplaincy – Part 2 Guest Bio Professor Jacqueline Whitt is Chief Learning Officer for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and Director of the Organizational Learning Unit (OLU) in the Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources for the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the Department of State. She is the author of Bringing God to Men: American…

People in this episode

Guest: Professor Jacqueline Whitt

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Department of State

Books & works: Bringing God to Men: American Military Chaplains, Religion, and the Vietnam War

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