Abstract
From its beginnings in 1775, the U.S. military chaplaincy has been a vital but often overlooked component of the American military experience. Though the specific duties, expectations, and regulations for U.S. chaplains have evolved over time, the heart of the chaplaincy is rooted in sacrificial service, a ministry of presence, spiritual leadership, and moral guidance. The American entrance into the Great War in 1917 marked a period of exponential growth for the military chaplaincy as it faced unprecedented demand and growing professionalization. To meet the needs of the modern era warfare, a major shift occurred within the chaplaincy as it evolved from a “lone ranger”, unregulated ministry into a professionalized force central in sustaining the moral, spiritual, and emotional welfare of soldiers. Additionally, confronted with the new psychological and ethical problems of modern warfare, chaplains assumed multifaceted roles that blurred the boundaries between clergy, counselor, and officer. The personal accounts and correspondence of American chaplains, like Chaplain Malcolm S. Taylor, reveal how chaplains navigated their newly expanded roles as they conducted professional spiritual leadership within the U.S. military and provided a ministry of service within the demands of modern warfare.
Recommended Citation
Gilbert, Sydney
(2026)
"Shepherds in the Great War: The Evolution of the U.S. Army Chaplaincy and the Service of Malcolm Taylor in World War I,"
Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History: Vol. 8:
Iss.
3, Article 13.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/ljh/vol8/iss3/13