Hidden Heroes: The National Coalition of Military Caregivers
Partner of the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces
Support our Veterans
The National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces is proud to be teaming up with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Hidden Heroes Campaign as part of a powerful national coalition to address the military caregiver crisis facing our nation.
Presentation at 2016 Annual Conference
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Executive Director Steven Schwab and Foundation Program Coordinator Laurel Rodewald joined NCMAF at the 2016 Annual Conference. Click the link below to view their slides.
2016 Dole Fellows List
The Fellows program includes a diverse set of caregivers from all fifty states and Puerto Rico who are tending to the injuries and illnesses--physical and emotional—that affect America’s wounded warriors.
Take the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Hidden Heroes Survey
According to the RAND study Hidden Heroes: America’s Military Caregivers, around 30% of military caregivers rely on “religious or spiritual support networks to meet the challenges of caregiving.” Despite this, very few resources targeted specifically towards military caregivers exist in the faith community. In order to better understand what gaps exist (in knowledge and resources) in the faith community as it relates to military caregivers, the Interfaith Action and Ministry Impact Council – convened by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation – has developed and is circulating two surveys; one for caregivers and one for leaders in the faith community. These surveys are intended to highlight the missing elements that prevent the faith community from offering effective support to military caregivers. We would appreciate your taking time to answer the following questions to help us better understand what resources might be most useful to the faith community in supporting caregivers nationwide.
Rev. Gary W. Clore
EXCOM at Large
Director of Endorsing Ministries Global Methodist Church
Reverend Dr. James R. “Jim” Carter
The Reverend Dr. James R. “Jim” Carter serves as the Presbyterian & Reformed Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel Executive Director and Ecclesiastical Endorser (PRCC). He also serves as the Chaplain Ministries Coordinator for the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) which oversees the Civilian and Armed Services Chaplaincy Ministry. The PRCC is made up of seven Reformed Presbyterian denominations. Dr. Carter returned to the PRCC Commission after serving in a local pastorate for six years following his retirement from many years of active service in the Army Chaplaincy reaching the rank of Colonel. He held a number of ministry leadership positions and was deployed twice to combat during his years of service.
Dr. Carter is a native of Monroeville, Alabama. After attending Belhaven College and Reformed Theological Seminary and receiving his ordination as a Presbyterian Minister (PCA), Jim entered the Army Chaplain Corps in 1988. He previously served in the Army Reserves as a Second Lieutenant Chaplain Candidate from 1986-1988. Chaplain Carter’s degrees include a Bachelors of Art from Belhaven College, Jackson, Mississippi; a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi and a Doctor of Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, South Carolina. Chaplain Carter’s military education includes the U.S. Army Chaplain Basic Course and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Service Staff School (CAS3), the Command and General Staff College, and the Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Course.
His previous military assignments included: 24th Infantry Division, 3rd Engineer Battalion (Combat), Fort Stewart, Georgia; 2-7 Infantry Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia with a combat tour in Saudi Arabia-Iraq (Operation Desert Shield and Storm); 59th Ordnance Brigade, Sogel, Germany; 409th Base Support Battalion, Grafenwoehr, Germany; 4-5 Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas and 4-1 Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, and 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Riley, Kansas; Area III Installation Chaplain, Camp Humphrey’s, Korea; Brigade Combat Training Religious Support Observer Controller (BCTP), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; 3rd Regiment and Senior Pastor of the West Point Cadet Chapel, United States Corps of Cadets, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York; Deputy Installation Chaplain and Chief of Religious Support Operations, Fort Bliss, Texas; 4th Infantry Division Chaplain, Fort Hood, Texas and Multi-National Division Baghdad Command Chaplain, (MND-B) Baghdad, Iraq (Operational Iraqi Freedom (OIF 07-09); Senior Pastor of the Protestant Congregation and Deputy Installation Chaplain, United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Carter’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with two Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
Dr. Carter is married to the former Terri Ganey of Mullins, South Carolina. They have two children (Sarah) married to Michael O’Brien and son Chaplain (CPT) David Carter is married to Emily Wenrick Carter and grandsons James Haddon Carter and Reggie Taylor Carter. He enjoys sports, tennis, traveling, reading and serving his local community. Jim and Terri live in Mullins, South Carolina.
"It is a hardship upon the Regiment I think, to be denied a Chaplain."
SOURCE: George Washington to Governor Robert Dinwiddie of Virginia, 4/29/1757, The Writings of George Washington, 2:33