Colorado National Guard Chaplain Corps

Chaplain Candidate, 2LT Carlos De Leon, 1-157th IN Regiment (Mountain), is pictured praying at the frocking ceremony of MSG Degeorge to the rank of SGM.

This special ceremony was held at the North Colorado Springs Readiness Center (NCSRC) in Colorado Springs, CO.

Did You Know?

A frocking ceremony for Sergeant Major (SGM) is a military tradition recognizing a service member’s selection for promotion to the E-9 rank (Sergeant Major) while authorizing them to wear the new insignia and assume associated duties early.

Congratulations SGM Degeorge and solid work 2LT De Leon!

8 members of the COARNG Chaplain team just wrapped up a 2 day ASIST class near Buckley Space Force Base (BSFB).

What is ASIST?

ASIST (Applied Su***de Intervention Skills Training) is a widely recognized, evidence-based two-day in-person workshop for su***de first aid/intervention. 

• It teaches practical skills to recognize signs that someone may be thinking about su***de, engage them in a supportive conversation, reduce immediate risk, and co-create a personalized safety plan that promotes hope, safety, and connection to further help.

Over 500 members of the CONG have now been trained in ASIST, making our community safer from su***de.

Well done team!

While deployed to Eastern Europe for Exercise Trojan Footprint 26, 36 personnel from the 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) joined CH (CPT) Josh Duncan and SGT Ricky Romero as they conducted a solemn Building Strong and Resilient Team (BSRT) event to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.

The site visit was the culmination of deliberate ethical preparation. Leading up to the study, the unit examined the systemic erosion of ethics, utilizing historical case studies and a screening of The Zone of Interest to analyze how ordinary individuals compartmentalize mass atrocity and tolerate the intolerable.

Chaplain Josh challenged the formation: "This isn't just about bad people doing evil things. It's about once-decent people making consecutive small compromises until they no longer appear human, and only evil remains."

On Friday, May 22nd, the formation walked the historic grounds—passing under the infamous iron gate of Auschwitz I and standing along the Birkenau unloading platform, where more than 1.1 million men, women, and children were systematically murdered.
This BSRT served as a stark, enduring reminder to our personnel of the absolute necessity of moral courage, tactical ethics, and the human cost when leaders fail to stand against injustice.

While the day demanded deep reflection, a resilience event is also about strengthening the bonds of those standing next to you. To decompress and process the weight of the experience, the group transitioned from the historic site to break bread together. Sharing a meal offered a welcome reminder that even during demanding missions far from home, the strength of our formation lies in the fellowship of our Army family.

Excellent work to our Special Forces UMT!

CH (CPT) Kyle O’Brien and SGT Levi Vera, Unit Ministry Team for the 1-157th Infantry Regiment (Mountain) are pictured as they arrived in Egypt to begin their overseas deployment.

The unit deployed to the Sinai Peninsula in April 2026 for the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) peacekeeping mission. The unit’s mission will be conduct reconnaissance patrols, staff observation posts/checkpoints, and support base operations in the Sinai to monitor the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty. 

Commander’s quote: Lt. Col. Adam W. Rhum emphasized the unit’s readiness and commitment to the long-standing peacekeeping operation.

Praying for you CH O’Brien and SGT Vera as you minister to our Troops!

CH (CPT) Yerachmiel Gorelik is pictured here providing unit ministry support for members of the 3-157th FA during their recent Annual Training on Fort Carson, Colorado.

During this duty, CH Gorelik accompanied a Soldier to Evans Army Hospital following a heat casualty event and stayed with the Soldier until midnight to ensure he was fully recovered.

Excellent work CH Gorelik!

CH (1LT) Tracy Dalton, 3-157th FA BN Chaplain, is attending her Direct Commission Course (DCC) & Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course (CHBOLC).

CH Dalton, as prior service, was selected as the guidon bearer for her class.

A guidon bearer is a highly visible, trusted enlisted member chosen to carry their unit's official pennant or flag. The guidon physically represents the military unit and its commanding officer. During ceremonies and drills, the bearer marches at the very front of the formation alongside the commander.

Today, CH Dalton relinquished the guidon to become platoon leader (PL).

Keep going Tracy! Making us proud!

From Pueblo in southern Colorado to Fort Logan National Cemetery, our team was honored to support Memorial Day 2026 events.

We honor our fallen and we remember their stories!