Spotlight: Chaplin (Capt.) Gerardo Rodriguez

  • Published
  • By 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --

Name and rank: Capt. Gerardo Rodriguez

Duty title: Chaplain

Unit of assignment: Chaplain’s Office, 88th Air Base Wing

What do you do at Wright-Patt? I am a chaplain at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. I am responsible for tending the spiritual and moral well-being of our base population.

Why are you and your job important to the Air Force and WPAFB?

I am a rabbi, a clergy leader in the Jewish faith. I am able to help Jewish personnel remember their faith and heritage. As chaplains, we are important because we help commanders take care of a couple of sides of their people that sometimes they aren’t able to see, the relational and spiritual sides.

Because we offer 100% confidential counseling (we do not report anything), we are able to help people deal with adversity and tap into their own spiritual strengths to assist in their work-life balance. Also, we are the subject-matter experts in advising our commanders on matters of religion, ethics and morals. But most importantly, we are the leading voice in matters pertaining to spiritual resilience.