ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
During her first deployment in southwest Asia, Chaplain (Capt.) Deborah Hughley, 316th Wing Protestant chaplain, preaches to more than just the choir - she preaches the good word to everyone.
While visiting job sites, she spends her time lending an ear to those who need it most.
Chaplain Hughley found early on in her deployment that people were reaching out to her for encouragement.
"I really love my job here on this deployment," Chaplain Hughley said. "It can be hard to be away from everything that is familiar, but it is my job to support our military members so they can keep their focus. It is great to be an encourager!"
In providing mental and spiritual support, Chaplain Hughley works with servicemembers bearing burdens in their personal lives, as well as working with base leadership.
"I do a lot of counseling," she explained. "I am a listening ear for those who just need to bring dark situations to the light so that burdens can be lifted. I also serve as an advisor to leadership and 'sound the alarm' if the morale of the base populace seems to shift or if someone is not getting the opportunity to exercise their freedom of religion."
Chaplain Hughley's decision to join the Air Force came from above, and was later encouraged by her father, Winston Hughley, a retired Army bandsman, who passed away in May 2006.
"My reason for joining the Air Force is simple. I prayed and sought God for direction and He pointed me to the Air Force," Chaplain Hughley said. Her father said to her, "If you're going to join anything, go Air Force."
"So now I am in the Air Force," Chaplain Hughley said. "I have been an Active Duty chaplain for two years, but prior to that, I was Active Duty enlisted - first as a security forces member and then cross-trained into information management."
During her six-month deployment, Chaplain Hughley has learned from her experience - especially how it has helped her to become a better Airman.
"I believe I am a better Airman today because of the opportunities to work with the Army, Navy, Australians and Japanese soldiers," Chaplain Hughley said. "In this deployment, I've been exposed to different cultures and we've learned from each other."
One of the more difficult aspects of Chaplain Hughley's deployment was the personal hurdle of settling in.
"What surprised me the most about my deployment is the period of adjustment coming from one time zone to the next," Chaplain Hughley said. "For about 10 days, I really was not myself and it was easier to feel depressed and drained. I struggled within to keep the focus during that time period."
"My mission is the same stateside or in the deployment setting, but in the deployed setting, there is not as much paperwork so you can get out of your office - and you are expected to get out of your office more - to do ministry," she explained.
Chaplain Hughley is expected home mid-May.