Photo By Lance Cpl. John Allen | U.S. Navy chaplain Capt. Denis Cox, the II Marine Expeditionary Force chaplain,...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – “I will tell Marines today; the warrior ethos is exactly what God wants from you,” said U.S. Navy Captain Denis Cox, II Marine Expeditionary Force Chaplain. “God created you to be a warrior.”
Cox was born in Niagara Falls, New York, and grew up in a U.S. Air Force family. Consequently, he moved all over the United States throughout his youth.
In the fall of 1981, Cox started college at Ohio State University, but in December of that same year, he recalled being “young and broke.” To help pay for his tuition, Cox enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard and graduated from college six years later.
Cox remained in the National Guard and achieved the rank of staff sergeant in just six years. It was around that time when 26-year-old Cox says he was born again.
“I ended up giving my life to the Lord, dramatically,” Cox recollected.
After this religious awakening, Cox became deeply involved in ministry at his church, that is until January 16, 1991, the day that Operation Desert Storm began, and a day Cox would never forget. It was on that day he received a stop-loss letter in the mail reading, “Staff Sergeant Cox, you have been involuntarily extended for six years.”
Cox recalls feeling sick to his stomach because he didn’t believe that was what God was calling him to do.
“I called my chaplain and asked him, ‘What do I do?’”
His chaplain responded with a question, “Why don’t you apply to become a chaplain candidate in the Army?”
And without hesitation, Cox did exactly that.
It was one year later when Cox officially became a chaplain. It was also the year he got married and started an inner-city church in Columbus, Ohio, where he stayed “fat and happy,” he recalls.
After some time, Cox’s endorser would call him every six months, expressing their need for active-duty chaplains.
Each time they called, Cox would reply, saying “That’s not what God is calling me to do.”
After a few more calls, something changed. Cox picked up the ringing phone like he had done many times before. It was the same call he always received, someone asking him to serve as an active-duty chaplain, but right before he could utter the word “no,” he felt God speak to him and say, “Don’t say no to this opportunity.”
Later that same day, Cox came home to his wife and told her he agreed to serve on active duty, although he wasn’t very fond of the idea. It was then that his wife suggested becoming a chaplain in the U.S. Navy, and just four months later, Cox was in Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, attending the Naval Chaplaincy school.
During Cox’s service in the Navy, he lived through many memorable experiences, with his most memorable being in Al-Fallujah, attached to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, otherwise known as the “Beirut Battalion”.
The battle of Fallujah was the bloodiest and most ferocious battle since Vietnam’s Battle of Hue City. It was a decisive military engagement that placed the Marine Corps in a highly complex, urban environment. It was during this time Cox experienced something that would stick with him forever.
“The single greatest moment for me in my life,” Cox began to reflect, “was the opportunity to pray… my friend into eternity. To me, there is nothing greater… than being in the moment when a warrior goes into eternity… I was there when several of my friends died, and to be their chaplain was the greatest honor I ever had.”
Following his deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom, Cox served in a multitude of different places, including the USS George Washington; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; and aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Additionally, Cox was sent ashore to serve as the Command Chaplain to the world’s largest U.S. Navy base, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. In 2021 Cox arrived at his last duty station, to serve as the II Marine Expeditionary Force Chaplain, presiding over subordinate commands and serving as the lead chaplain for over 47,000 Marines and sailors. Cox’s personal awards include: Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Gold Stars; Navy Commendation Medal with 3 Gold Stars, Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Cox has guided many service members throughout his long 41 years of service, and as he prepares to retire on August 4, 2023, he leaves the Marines and Sailors of II MEF with just one more piece of wisdom.
“First and foremost,” begins Chaplain Cox, “steel your spirit… for a Marine not to be spiritually fit, is to do a disservice to the Marine Corps. There is going to be a time when you doubt leadership, yourself, and the cause. If you do not steel your spirit and focus on your soul … that doubt will come at the wrong time. The strongest Marines I know are affirmed in their faith, know matters of eternity are taken care of, and know they are right with God.”
| Date Taken: | 08.04.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 08.04.2023 16:27 |
| Story ID: | 450707 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | COLUMBUS, OHIO, US |
| Hometown: | NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 240 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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