Robins to host chaplain conference Published April 17, 2009 By Wayne Crenshaw 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Air Force Reserve Command chaplains from around the world will be at Robins soon for the bi-annual Command Chaplain's Conference. The conference will be held Monday through Friday at the Museum of Aviation. Approximately 300 chaplains and assistant chaplains are expected to attend the conference, said Chaplain (Col.) Donald Smith, the command chaplain for the Air Force Reserve Command. "One of the primary emphases will be on reintegration of reservists back into their community and family, and the chaplain's role in helping identify members who may be experience post-traumatic stress." The Air Force Reserve Command is based at Robins, but the conference isn't always held here. The role of reserve chaplains has increased dramatically since Sept. 11, Chaplain Smith said. In the year prior to the attacks, reserve chaplains registered 500 days of active-duty service; since that time they have averaged 20,000 days of active-duty service annually. Much of that is on a voluntary basis, not through call-ups, he said. "We've been very busy," Chaplain Smith said. The AFRC has more than 300 chaplains stationed around the world, said Chaplain Smith, plus 150 assistant chaplains and 150 chaplain candidates, who are seminary students. The first day of the conference includes registration and a reception, and after that attendees will have a full schedule the rest of the week. Among the topics to be covered are combat stress, team building, force development and reintegration. Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner Jr., commander of the Air Force Reserve, will speak.