“What Is a Chaplain”
As many know Nate was a Career Navy Chaplain. He served the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Gaurd and Merchant Marines . . . Some might ask: What do Chaplains do?
THE NAVY CHAPLAIN CORPS are religious ministries to meet the rights and needs of its personnel.
From its inception, the naval service has recognized its responsibility to provide for the second article of Navy Regulations, adopted November 28, 1775, stated that “the commanders of ships of the thirteen United Colonies are to take care that divine services be performed… In continuation of this obligation, the Secretary of the Navy has directed commanders and commanding officers to provide for the free exercise of religion by all personnel of the naval service. To this end chaplains are appointed to provide ministry and facilitate the free exercise of religion through the Command Religious Programs of the sea services and their family members.
For over 243 years Navy chaplains have served the needs of the men and women.
The first chaplain known to have served in the Navy was the Reverend Benjamin Balch, a Congregational minister, who on
October 28, 1779 reported to the frigate Boston.
Guiding Principles of Chaplains – AS SERVANTS OF GOD, WE ARE called from our unique backgrounds, families, and traditions, sent by our nation’s faith groups to serve together as Navy Chaplains, and Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine.
AS LEADERS IN THE NAVY, WE SERVE BY ministering to those like faith, enabling all in the practice of their faith, encouraging each individual toward greater spiritual and personal growth, providing assistance, counsel and comfort to all in times of need, challenging ourselves and shipmates to sensitivity, honesty and integrity through all of life’s relationships, and supporting the readiness of our commands through our ministry to their personnel and families.
AS A CHAPLAIN CORPS, WE JOIN TOGETHER IN dedicating ourselves to living the ideals we profess in support of one another, and fostering the perpetuation of our spiritual and ethical heritage which the men and women of the Sea Services stand ready to defend.
