New chaplain knows post well

By Spc. Aaron Carpenter, I Corps Public Affairs Office

The I Corps Chaplain’s Office invested Lt. Col. Kenneth Stice the post chaplain in a Change of Stole ceremony July 10 at the North Fort Chapel.

Colonel Jack Van Dyken, outgoing chaplain, turned over the traditional garment worn around a minister’s neck in a symbolic act to I Corps commanding general, Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., as he placed upon Stice the roles and responsibilities of the I Corps chaplain.

“We couldn’t be luckier,” Jacoby said, “We clearly have a man of faith who is also a tremendous Soldier.” This is Stice’s second assignment at Fort Lewis.

“I’m glad to see all the building and growth going on here at Fort Lewis,” he said.

He was assigned from 1998 to 2001 as chaplain of 1st Special Forces Group. He said the growth is proof the Army is taking care of Soldiers and their families.

Those changes, Stice said, demonstrate the post’s efforts to sustain and maintain the care of Soldiers and their families, in the belief that people matter most.

Stice said the first guideline set forth during his tenure as corps chaplain is to continue the accommodation of different religions and the freedom of religious practice.

“Secondly, (The mission is to) get the (commanding general’s) stance, intent and continue the continuity of care with our Soldiers and families.”

Jacoby spoke of how Stice would be factored into the equation as I Corps gears up for war. He emphasized the critical role of the corps chaplain in providing spiritual guidance for Soldiers in combat.

“You’ve got large shoes to fill but you’ve got the right feet to put in them,” Jacoby said.

Stice’s most recent deployment was last year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the division chaplain for Multi-National Division North as part of Task Force Lightning where he supervised 50 religious support teams in support of 30,000 service members.

Stice was direct in his explanation of the undaunted courage necessary to continue the great achievements of I Corps. But he also reinforced the human requirments of success.

“We never lose sight of the fact that it’s all geared toward the people and their family members.”

Jacoby thanked Stice and his wife, Robin for coming to I Corps and team Lewis.

“You have all the support, credentials and background,” Jacoby said, “I know we are absolutely lucky to have you.”

Stice’s awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star (three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (four Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendations Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Parachutist Badge, and the Canadian Parachutist Badge.

Van Dyken was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his work with I Corps. His next assignment is as the command chaplain for U.S. Army Pacific, in Hawaii.