NCSC Launches New Fleet-Ready Chaplains

17 August 2021

From Naval Chaplaincy School and Center

The Naval Chaplaincy School and Center (NCSC) Basic Leadership Course (BLC) graduated 22 new chaplains Aug. 4.

NEWPORT, R.I. -- The Naval Chaplaincy School and Center (NCSC) Basic Leadership Course (BLC) graduated 22 new chaplains Aug. 4.

BLC, offered three times a year, consists of seven weeks focused on training religious ministry professionals in the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to serve as chaplains with the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines.

“It is rewarding watching pastors, priests, rabbis, and imams transition their understanding of ministry from a civilian mindset to the unique military and institutional mindset Navy chaplaincy requires,” said Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Shepard, BLC instructor. “Every one of these 22 chaplains embodies the bearing, discipline, and passion we need from our professional Navy chaplains.”

All students had completed Officer Development School, served for at least two years in full-time ministry, and have been ordained or equivalently approved by their religious organization.

Throughout the course, chaplains are trained on four core competencies: provide, facilitate, care, and advise. They participated in field training led by a Marine Corps gunnery sergeant, including eating MREs, land navigation, and offering field worship. They also engaged in training related to ethics, marriage and relationships, suicide intercept, character, and leadership.

“The pace gunnery sergeant and I set is demanding, and every chaplain kept in stride individually and as a team,” said Shepard. “I am excited to launch them to the fleet and NOSCs (Navy Operational Support Centers) and anticipate hearing stories of the positive impact they will have in the lives of their commands and, most importantly, in the lives of the individuals they serve.”

Upon graduation, chaplains serving on active duty report to their first assignments and those serving with the Reserve component return to their civilian ministries, while being connected to local Reserve units.

As the graduation speaker, Deputy Chief of Chaplains and Chaplain of the Marine Corps Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, shared from Psalm 23 and from the Reverend Peter Marshall’s sermon, which was delivered at the U.S. Naval Academy December 7, 1941, hours before the announcement that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. Encouraging the newest chaplains as they prepared to embark on this next step of their journey, Todd said, “In your readiness to serve with warriors, you will find your strength in God.”

The recent class had the unique opportunity to train alongside religious program specialists (RP). The RP “A” School moved in July from Meridian, Mississippi to Newport to accentuate the importance of having the Religious Ministry Team, chaplains and RPs, train together as they serve together in the fleet.

Capt. Carey Cash, commanding officer, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center (NCSC), passes through side boys while walking out of the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., during a graduation ceremony for students assigned to NCSC in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0153 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Capt. Carey Cash, commanding officer, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center (NCSC), passes through side boys while walking out of the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., during a graduation ceremony for students assigned to NCSC in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

Students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, lower their heads for the benediction during their graduation ceremony at the Chapel of Hope, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0141 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, lower their heads for the benediction during their graduation ceremony at the Chapel of Hope, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Chaplains conducts the reaffirmation of commissioning oat during a graduation ceremony held in the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., for students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0130 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Chaplains conducts the reaffirmation of commissioning oat during a graduation ceremony held in the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., for students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

Students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, line up to receive their certificates during their graduation ceremony at the Chapel of Hope, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0108 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, line up to receive their certificates during their graduation ceremony at the Chapel of Hope, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Chaplains gives the graduation address during a graduation ceremony held in the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., for students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0078 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Chaplains gives the graduation address during a graduation ceremony held in the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., for students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

Capt. Carey Cash, commanding officer, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center (NCSC), gives the welcoming remarks during a graduation ceremony held in the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., for students assigned to NCSC in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0046 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Capt. Carey Cash, commanding officer, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center (NCSC), gives the welcoming remarks during a graduation ceremony held in the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., for students assigned to NCSC in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0044 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, lower their heads for the invocation during their graduation ceremony at the Chapel of Hope, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Chaplains, salutes while the nation anthem plays during a graduation ceremony held in the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., for students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0035 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Chaplains, salutes while the nation anthem plays during a graduation ceremony held in the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., for students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Chaplains, passes through side boys while walking into the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., during a graduation ceremony for students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0028 210804-N-EL867-0028 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Chaplains, passes through side boys while walking into the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., during a graduation ceremony for students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

Students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, march into their graduation ceremony at the Chapel of Hope, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0018 210804-N-EL867-0018 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, march into their graduation ceremony at the Chapel of Hope, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Chaplains, passes through side boys while walking out of the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., during a graduation ceremony for students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0150 210804-N-EL867-0150 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Chaplains, passes through side boys while walking out of the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., during a graduation ceremony for students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

Students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, sing “Anchors Aweigh” during their graduation ceremony at the Chapel of Hope, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0145 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, sing “Anchors Aweigh” during their graduation ceremony at the Chapel of Hope, Aug. 4. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, chaplain of the Marine Corps and deputy chief of chaplains, gives the graduation address during a graduation ceremony held in the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., for students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030.

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0089 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, chaplain of the Marine Corps and deputy chief of chaplains, gives the graduation address during a graduation ceremony held in the Chapel of Hope, on Naval Station Newport, R.I., for students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course that teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center on Naval Station Newport, R.I., in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, salute while the national anthem plays during their graduation ceremony at the Chapel of Hope.

SLIDESHOW | images | 210804-N-EL867-0032 NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 4, 2021) Students assigned to the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center on Naval Station Newport, R.I., in the Basic Leadership Course, class 21030, salute while the national anthem plays during their graduation ceremony at the Chapel of Hope. The Basic Leadership Course is a seven-week course which teaches basic knowledge of military chaplaincy as well as the fundamental skills to enable them to function effectively in a variety of sea service venues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derien C. Luce)

The mission of NCSC is to train, develop, and inspire chaplains and religious program specialists to pursue excellence as they strengthen the soul of the warfighter, the family, and the fleet.

For more on NCSC, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/NCSC/

Google Translation Disclaimer

Google Translate, a third party service provided by Google, performs all translations directly and dynamically.
Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, cnrma.cnic.navy.mil has no control over the features, functions, or performance of the Google Translate service.
The automated translations should not be considered exact and should be used only as an approximation of the original English language content.
This service is meant solely for the assistance of limited English-speaking users of the website.
Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, cnrma.cnic.navy.mil does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated.
Some items cannot be translated, including but not limited to image buttons, drop down menus, graphics, photos, or portable document formats (pdfs).
Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, cnrma.cnic.navy.mil does not directly endorse Google Translate or imply that it is the only language translation solution available to users.
All site visitors may choose to use similar tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, cnrma.cnic.navy.mil content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk.
IE users: Please note that Google Translate may not render correctly when using Internet Explorer. Users are advised to use MS Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser to take full advantage of the Google Translate feature.
The official text of content on this site is the English version found on this website. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in translated text, refer to the English version on this website, it is the official version.