In "Faith and Hope in a War-Torn Land: The US Army Chaplaincy in the Balkans, 19952005," Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Ken Lawson has provided the Army with an unusual and much needed perspective on its history. The Chaplain Corps, with justifiable pride, has demonstrated in this study the key role played by the Reserve components (Army National Guard and Army Reserve) in providing religious support to the Army. While this has become routine today, it was certainly not the case in 1995. This is yet another step forward in the integration of the Active and Reserve components in the Army. This study analyzes the planning, command and control, and operations of the Chaplain Corps, but its target audience should be much larger. Commanders and staff officers alike will gain a better appreciation for what it takes to implement an effective ministry program for their units by reading this study. They will also gain insights about the operational role that chaplains can play in the accomplishment of the Army's objectives in a theater of operations.

Introduction / Background: a war-torn region of the world / The Bosnia theater of operations. Events leading to US military activity in Bosnia -- Preparations for the first US Army chaplains to arrive in Bosnia, 1995 -- Initial chaplain activities and ministries in Bosnia, 1996 -- Developing chaplain ministries in Bosnia, 1996 -- Expanding chaplain ministries in Bosnia and surrounding areas, 1996-1997 -- Chaplin accounts of ministry in Bosnia, 1997 -- Diverse chaplain ministries in peacekeeping in Bosnia, 1998 -- Chaplain duties in maintaining the peace in Bosnia, 1999-2000 -- Army chaplain ministries in Bosnia, 2001-2002 -- Chaplain activities during military downsizing in Bosnia, 2003-2005 / The Kosovo theater of operations. Background to contemporary hostilities in Kosovo -- Preparations for the first US Army chaplains to arrive in Kosovo -- Initial chaplain activities and ministries in Kosovo, 1999 -- ministry to displaced Kosovar refugees -- Developing chaplain issues in Kosovo, 2000-2001 -- Chaplain duties in maintaining the peace in Kosovo, 2002-2004 -- The US Army chaplaincy and downsizing in Kosovo, 2004-2005 / Conclusion / Appendix: US Army deaths and serious injuries in the Balkans / Index of chaplains and chaplain assistants.