A First in the Making: Jaguar Alumni Candidate for Chaplain

This fall, 2015 Bachelor of Science graduate, Dallas Fort of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, plans to make his mark as he journeys to become Southern University’s first ever Army Chaplain. Fort was named a candidate for chaplain on April 8, 2016 and currently studying at Liberty Theological Seminary and will transfer to the Interdenominational Theological Seminary next year to complete his achievement.
When asked if it was a surprise for him to accomplish this, Fort said, “It actually wasn’t my intentions to be the first but once LTC Bissonnette did some digging, he later informed me that I would be the first.”
According to Fort, the military has always been apart of his family, with his father and uncle being veterans. He knew that it would not only pay for his education but provide benefits for him and his family in the future.
“I felt in a sense that I was almost obligated to do it because there was a message that God wanted to get to the men and women in arms. A message that many have never heard before. I originally entered the military aspiring to become a doctor, but God had other plans for me,” said Fort.
Although Fort’s future looks promising, the road to achieve his goal started with a process. According to Fort, Chaplain Corps go through a careful selection process, including a thorough background check and many letters of recommendations that are required to be considered before acceptance. In order to be chosen as a candidate, one must have to be under a pastor who is willing to train you in ministerial disciplines to prepare you for chaplaincy. Also, you have to have an ecclesiastical endorser who is willing to endorse you throughout the process of becoming a chaplain. The candidate’s battalion commander has to send a letter of recommendation as well to the chaplain corps that states this soldier is fit for the call to chaplaincy.
Fort says in preparation, he had to ready himself spiritually. He mentioned how his social life became a test to preserve.
“Though God had confirmed the call I knew that it was time for me to seek God now more than ever on guidance and direction. With that came challenges such as relationships ending and taking more time out to gain more knowledge about God and the chaplaincy. At the time I thought I was losing out on a lot of leisure but I knew it was God preparing me for something greater,” said Fort.
Along the way, Fort has become an inspiration to others, including graduating Mass Communication senior cadet Montell Cherry of Clinton, Louisiana.
“He’s always been a go getter with a positive attitude. He was one the hardest workers in the program,” said Cherry, then added, ”Fort was a man with true faith in God and believed in others even when they believe in themselves. He’s the perfect man for the job.”
Fort says he cares for the fellow Jaguar family and would like to give an encouraging word that will hopefully uplift their spirits to continue to do their best while in school.
“Come to the Cross. When you come to the Cross God will surely be there waiting for you. This requires focus and dedication to God and yourself. You all have the potential to be great and change the world, but you must harness that and apply it to your life daily. Hold on to what God has said to you. No matter what anyone else says you listen to what God says. When a storm comes and it will many times He promises to get you all through it,” said Fort, then closed his remarks by saying, “You have to hang on. The devil will attempt to take you astray but you have all you need in Jesus Christ. The bible says “ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”( Romans 8:28) Stay focus on God and your studies. Surround yourself around others who are in pursuit of being better daily. Most importantly trust in God and know that he will supply all of you needs.”
Fort was born on September 4, 1991 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was the youngest of three. He grew up in Eden park (aka Parktown) where violence was the norm throughout the neighborhood. Growing up as a young boy in a single parent home he witnessed a pregnant woman get beat at age 11, and at that very moment he knew that God did not want me to become a product of my environment. His mom kept him in school playing sports. According to Fort, it was beneficial not only because of the gifts God had given him, but it kept him out of such a dangerous environment. Fort said that as a young boy, God came to him in his sleep and told him that he was called to preach His Holy Word. Fort paid no mind to the calling until God came to me once again his sophomore year at Southern University with the same message. Fort knew then that it was time to put down the football and pick up the bible.