USACCRA Family UMT Education Scholarship Release-2026
The USACCRA 2026 scholarship names are released via Constant Comment to all members and is being posted on our website. A release has been sent to the Chief of Chaplain’s Office. The release has pictures and bios of 13 outstanding folks, 12 students and one spouse. Their bios speak for themselves. Thanks to our doners this year towards this effort and our super scholarship action team headed by CH(CPT) Scott Klein with the board lead by SGM-RET Dianne Ellwein. The team members are SGM-Ret. James Stewart, Sr.; CH(COL)-Ret David Smith; CH(CPT) Anna Eichenbrock; Lori Allmon (Chaplain spouse); and SGM-Ret Rex Schultrich (NG). This team has done marvelous work establishing processes and procedures, a timeline of actions, and processing several requests for scholarship assistance. This team has set the standard for USACCRA’s Scholarship benefit. We owe them a debt of gratitude.
Last year six people received assistance. This year that doubles to 13 students. We are looking to double that next year.
26th Chief of Chaplains, CH(MG) William Green, Jr. Retires
A host of UMTs endorsers, family, and friends witnessed the retirement ceremony for CH(MG) William Green, Jr. at Ft. Myer, VA 17 July followed by a reception at Patton Hall. Representing USACCRA were our Honorary Chaplain Corps UMT, CH(COL)-Ret. David Smith and SGM-Ret Pamela Wilson and CH(COL)-Ret. Scottie Lloyd. General-Retired Randy George hosted the five-star ceremony by the Old Guard and Pershing’s Own Army Band along with the Colonial Drum and Fife Corps. Quite a show for a stellar Chief of Chaplains and his wife, Robyn.
Future plans are pending for the Greens, but it will start with some restful travel. As a member of USACCRA, Chaplain Green indicates he looks forward to continuing the partnership with USACCRA in his retired future.
Celebration of Life for CH(LTC)-Ret. Ben “Chuck” Manning
The next day after Chaplain Green’s retirement, Chaplain (COL)-Ret Dave Smith, CH(COL)-Ret. Donna Weddle, and CH (Col)-Ret Scottie Lloyd traveled to Hagerstown, Maryland to honor a passing USACCRA member. You may remember reading an article about five months ago on USACCRA’s website about the outstanding contribution and continued community service by Chuck. In that article Ben Manning was cited as an example and high standard for such service to God and country long after hanging up the uniform. I invite you to read it again as a reminder of the value our veterans bring to our nation.
USACCRA 2026 Family Scholarship Golf Tournament
A second annual charity golf game to raise funds for the USACCRA UMT Family Scholarships honored our 251st anniversary, 29 July at the Ft. Jackson MWR links. Over $1,000 went to the fund. 1st VP and Ret. SGM Chris Patterson again organized and led this exciting fellowship with members, friends, and sponsors from across the Southeast.
USACCRA Presence at the International Military Fellowship (IMF) Annual Event
The IMF invited USACCRA to be a part of their annual gathering for chaplains and candidates from across the country The IMF was a corporate sponsor for our 250th Anniversary Ball last year and has been an avid supporter of membership in USACCRA. Association member CH(COL)-Ret Craig Wiley volunteered to host our table at this event. Craig is also working with other members in the area for starting a ‘Blue Grass’ USACCRA chapter. If you live in this area, please contact Craig at cnwiley53@gmail.com. Chapter development is a high priority.
Army Chaplain Corps Leadership Update
The Secretary of War recalled CH(BG) Jack Stumme to active service as the temporary Chief of Chaplains. Chaplain Stumme is a member of USACCRA and is dedicated to the continued partnership between the Corps and the Association. USACCRA is grateful to Chaplain Stumme’s dedication and to his superlative UMT partner RSM Meghan Simmons, who continues to serve and provide critical continuity.
Institute of Religious Leadership (IRL) Campus Visit
CH(COL)-Ret. Scottie Lloyd followed up after the USACCRA Scholarship Golf Tournament with a two-day visit of the IRL campus in Columbia, SC. Visited were the Commandant CH(COL) Tom Helm, CSM Varian Montgomery (IRL SGM), the Corps Historian Dr. Dan Fitzgerald, the Corps Museum Director Marsha McManus, our Association IT board member SGM-Ret Chuck Heard (currently serving as Deputy Director of Training for the IRL), Chaplain retired Adam Tietje and Dr. Katherine Voyles as editors of the Military Chaplain Review (MCR), besides a number of other IRL staff. A highlight was USACCRA sponsoring a lunch for the C4 Class. About 35 students attended for a lively discussion of what the current generation of chaplains is thinking and hoping for. Chaplain Lloyd sat in on a CHBOLC class to again understand the present generation through current training. Several solid ideas were harvested from all these folks and will be fed to the USACCRA Board for discussion.
Biennial Gathering Excitement
Please, please register now for our fellowship together, 27-30 October 2026 at the historic Menger Hotel next door to the Alamo in San Antonio TX. Early registration greatly helps financial planning in support of this event making your experience so much better. All the information you need is posted on our website, chaplainregiment.org.
Our keynote speaker to start things off will be Medal of Honor recipient MG-Ret Patrick Brady, Vietnam helicopter medic pilot who saved 51 lives with a story that no one could imagine. Special activities with the Alamo are being arranged to help celebrate the 250th nation anniversary. …And so much more. Come join your UMT family to laugh cry, remember, and honor the legacy of service to God and country we continue to forge.
USACCRA Service Opportunities
Contrary to the belief that the USACCRA is run by its board of directors, this is a collective UMT effort. We have action teams that support specific projects like the scholarships and the Corps Store. We have Chapter development initiation and chances for members in regions to represent USACCRA as Craig Wiley did recently in Kentucky. This spreads the wealth of activity, shows different faces, promotes USACCRA membership, and saves a considerable amount of operating expenses.
Have are present and future needs for your time and talents in support of the Army UMT Family.
*There is a big turnover for the board of directors starting at the end of 2027. Elections will be held during the last month of 2027 with new officers taking positions January 2028.
-President
-1st Vice President
-Secretary
-Three members at large
Board member Bryan Walker at walkcrb51@gmail..com is responsible for working our elections. He is your point of contact for more information and election arrangements. These positions are for three years. If interested, you may want to contact the folks presently in those positions for more insight.
Action teams are groups of members who work with a board member to accomplish a specific task or service. Currently, we have two teams, one supporting scholarship and the second supporting our Corps Store. Here are projected needs.
-A Team Leader for Scholarships
-Team members for Scholarships
Please see Dianne Ellwein at counselskids@gmail.com for more information if you are interested.
Chapter Development
3rd Vice President Glen Bloomstrom is responsible for chapter development. Currently there is no support team for chapters but there is always a need for folks in key geographical areas to make efforts to bring folks together for a new chapter or expand the existing chapters. If you are interested in this important expansion, contact Glen at glenbloomstrom@gmail.com
Honoring the Fallen
Board member Frank Leon, Senior Director of Religious Education for the Army Chaplain Corps, leads this critical service. If you are interested in helping him process the obituaries for posting and informing the OCCH, please contact him at DREfrankieleon@yahoo.com
Please pray and discern your involvement in USACCRA as an active support to the Chaplain Corps Family. Everybody is in the game.
Pro Deo et Patria
Scottie Lloyd
USACCRA President (srlloyd@msn.com or 909-553-5196-CA)
