Chaplains and Guns

I understand that chaplains are not allowed to carry weapons while on duty. Are they allowed to be armed when they're in danger off duty? If they're attacked by the bad guys, are they allowed to fight back?

B.K.: When a chaplain is off duty, (not in uniform), and acting as a private citizen, the Army does not dictate whether that person may or may not carry a weapon. Just as long as the weapon is carried legally, with proper permits and licenses, the military authorities will make no comment. I have many chaplain friends who own personal weapons and like to fire at the ranges, go hunting, or even keep them in their home for personal protection.
When the questions refers to being “attacked by bad guys”, if it means while off duty, then a chaplain has the rights to legally defend him or herself just like any other citizen, within the law. If the question refers to fighting back in a combat situation, the response is different. Army regulations are clear on this point, saying “a chaplain will not bear arms.” This is a very strong statement, requiring that even in a firefight, when bullets may be flying, a chaplain will not pick up a weapon and fire back. If a chaplain chooses to do so, they risk facing disciplinary action. This may sound harsh, but chaplains have a very important mission that is endangered when they make themselves a combatant. Besides, we have a chaplain assistant to watch our back, so we can focus on other things besides the battle. I would advise any potential chaplain who would not feel comfortable going unarmed into a combat situation to find another calling.

SHARON: I'm assuming the question has to do with the multitude of bad guys that Jaime runs into while on assignment as an Eden Operative in BEYOND and TREASURE. Here, Jaime's answer is more complex because she is guided by the intensive training she received at Mountaintop in Eden. It won't be clear exactly what that is until the "inside Eden" book that tells the story between CHASING and BEYOND comes out, but we can get clues from Jaime's responses to people and situations, as well as those by Kristof and Yani. Suffice it to say they're held to a higher standard than the average citizen.
What should that standard be? If YOU were answering that question for a group of spiritually enlightened people, what would you say? What standard do you want to hold yourself to? That's hopefully one of the interesting questions the Eden books cause us to contemplate.