SUNRISE, Fla. –Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Miami welcomed one of the Navy’s newest chaplains to the fleet during a ceremony at the district’s headquarters, April 27.
Lt. Scott Beck commissioned Lt. j.g. Carlos Rodriguez-Ramirez, a Miami-area pastor and naturalized U.S. citizen, in front of his family and friends.
“Since the very moment I entered this beautiful country, I felt embraced and my heart also embraced this great nation,” said Rodriguez-Ramirez referring to what motivated him to seek naval service. “Given my experience in pastoral ministry, I would like to share over two decades of experience with the personnel of the U.S. Navy [who] work in protecting and preserving the freedom of our nation. In addition to experience, my heart is committed to this service for the well-being of other soldiers and their families as well, as they receive pastoral care or any spiritual guidance,” he added.
The Navy Chaplain Corps boasts more than 800 Navy Chaplains from more than 100 different faith groups, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and many others. Each Chaplain is also a Navy officer, meaning each holds an important leadership role.
Chaplains offer everything from faith leadership, to personal advice, to much-needed solace - all while living up to the guiding principles of the Chaplain mission.
“The U.S. Navy is a serious and respectful institution. Being committed to serve with the military represents an astounding honor, privilege and a special gift that I am given and entrusted to bring help, care, Christian service and sacrificial love to our Sailors and Marines,” said Rodriguez-Ramirez. “I am honored to be granted this [position] at such a historical moment when our country faces new challenges and I will serve with commitment of heart, mind and soul.”
Rodriguez-Ramirez, earned his Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a senior Pastor at Palabra De Vida Baptist Church in Miami at the time of his commission. Rodriguez-Ramirez shipped out to Navy Officer Development School, April 28, where he will undergo the basic training required to understand Navy culture.
"Chaplaincy is the spiritual backbone of our combined Navy and Marine Corps team,” said Cmdr. Delmy Robinson, NRD Miami commanding officer. “Their mission is to ensure that our Sailors, Marines and civilians are able to exercise their religious freedoms and are capable of worshipping globally, as well as to provide counseling and assistance to all, to include our families, regardless of faith. Finding the unique individuals ready to fulfill this calling is challenging, but our team is always up for the task."
The mission of NRD Miami is to recruit high quality, diverse Future Sailors to meet the strategic manning requirements of America’s Navy.
The territory covers three major metropolitan areas in Florida including Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, as well as the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
| Date Taken: | 04.27.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2018 15:10 |
| Story ID: | 275089 |
| Location: | SUNRISE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 112 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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