“In World War II, the Army began issuing suitcase-style kits, which especially for Protestants and Catholics, contained items for various services and rites. The Jewish kit contained a Torah and an Ark of the Covenant.

“The wooden kit eventually became metal, and in 1966, a new style was designed for the Catholic and Protestant kits, made of weatherproof fabric.

“The most recent innovations are the combat assault kits, which are extremely small and lightweight and can be attached to the chaplain’s belt.”

(Tools of the Trade, signage at the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Museum, Ft. Jackson, SC)

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