Recruit Training Command Hosts Annual Navy Chaplain Corps Luncheon

Photo By Alan Nunn | 171026-N-DB390-025 LAKE BLUFF, Ill. (Oct. 26, 2017) Rear Adm. Margaret Kibben, the Navy chief of chaplains, speaks to guests during a luncheon at the Inovasi restaurant in Lake Bluff, Ill. The luncheon was held to celebrate the 242nd chaplain corps anniversary. (U.S. Navy photo by Alan Nunn/Released)  

NORTH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES

10.31.2017

Story by Alan Nunn      

U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command

GREAT LAKES (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Margaret Kibben, Navy chief of chaplains, was the guest speaker as the Navy Chaplain Corps celebrated 242 years of service with an anniversary luncheon, Oct. 26, at Inovasi, Lake Bluff, Illinois.

The history of the Chaplain Corps traces its beginnings to Nov. 28, 1775, when the second article of Navy Regulations was adopted.

The Navy Chaplain Corps comprises 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.

Kibben spoke to a group of about 40, including many current and retired chaplains from the Great Lakes area and their family members. She touched on several themes, including how lessons from the long and rich history of the Chaplain Corps can be applied to challenges of today's world and how a unity of purpose allows chaplains to serve Sailors with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Kibben concluded her remarks by drawing from the message of Capt. John Brown Frazier, who served as the first chief of chaplains of the United States Navy from 1917-1921.

"All that you do, provide, facilitate, caring and advising is so critical, and I am very grateful that each of you - whether it was last month or whether it was 30 years ago - responded to the high calling that Chaplain Frazier set the stage for, for us," said Kibben. "You do so, each of you, with grace and grit and gumption. You are, in fact, where it matters, when it matters with what matters, so may God continue to bless you."

The luncheon also included a POW/MIA remembrance led by Lt. Eric Brown, a Recruit Training Command (RTC) chaplain. At the conclusion of the luncheon, Kibben participated in a town hall meeting.

Later, she spoke at the RTC chapel about the unique role chaplains play as young Sailors begin their Navy careers.

"When a Sailor comes from home they shouldn't have to give up everything, especially, they shouldn't have to give up what enables them to stay strong in the face of so many challenges, and one of those things is spirituality," said Kibben. "The opportunity the chaplains have to encourage young Sailors, young recruits, to give them a sense of how they're valued, what their importance is and the grand scheme of things, not just the day-to-day events. Chaplains really have the opportunity to do that."

All enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. About 30,000 to 40,000 recruits graduate annually from RTC to begin their Navy careers.

"Chaplains are in, around and among these recruits all the time just to let them know there is hope, there is something ahead of them they can look forward to and that they can do it," Kibben said.

For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/rtc/.

• Date Taken: 10.31.2017
• Date Posted: 09.21.2018 09:27
• Story ID: 293886
• Location: NORTH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, US