I think there’s a sense in which we bring a really human element to [the military]. We’re the ones that are going to be asking the question — how are you doing? What are your hopes and dreams?
Captain Jason Mills balances two vocations with a single purpose: serving people. Full-time, he is the Dean of Briercrest Seminary in Caronport, SK. Part-time, he serves as a military chaplain with the Royal Regina Rifles — a calling he discovered unexpectedly while pastoring in Ontario. After completing the demanding dual application process for both the military and the chaplaincy, Mills was sworn in as a reservist chaplain and went on to complete his Basic Military Officer Qualification.
He supports soldiers on parade nights, offers confidential pastoral care, leads brief resilience sessions, and joins field exercises whenever possible. His annual chaplain training deepens his work in areas like burnout, loneliness, and mental illness.
A lot of my work is around checking in with people … just checking in and saying, ‘Hey, are you noticing anybody that might need some extra support?’
A highlight of his service was Operation CALVADOS: a commemorative journey through Normandy that reshaped his understanding of remembrance.
It was life-changing … for Canadians, Remembrance Day is somber. For the French, it’s a celebration of liberation. Meeting descendants of those freed by our regiment was incredible.
For Mills, chaplaincy is human centred work—being present, listening, and supporting the people who serve Canada.
One of the reasons why I wanted to join was because … I wanted exposure to people that were outside the church. And what rich, wonderful people they are … the incredible experiences that they bring, the stories that they tell, just the people, the situations that they’re in. And it’s just been amazing to get to know them.