Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Luke Wilson | 250731-N-YU102-1024 NORFOLK, Va. (July 31, 2025)— Lt. Cmdr. Duane Hardy, a chaplain...... read more read more
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Luke Wilson, SURFLANT Public Affairs Office
NORFOLK, Va. (July 31, 2025) — After a 30 year break in service, Lt. Cmdr. Duane Hardy rejoined the Navy, this time donning the cloth as a chaplain alongside his identical twin brother. The Hardy brothers have always walked in step, first as twins, then as Sailors, and now as Chaplains. For Hardy, returning to the Navy after nearly three decades away wasn’t just about duty, it was about answering a deeper call, inspired by the bond with his brother, James.
The journey began in 1988 when their mother gave them three options after high school: attend college, go to trade school or join the military. The next day, a Navy recruiter visited their school, and they made their decision. The Hardy brothers enlisted, attended Recruit Training Command together, and were both assigned to the pre-commissioning crew of USS Tortuga (LSD 46). Hardy served as a Personnelman, a rate now known as Personnel Specialist.
“Back during that time, there was no Wi-Fi, no Facebook, Instagram or TikTok,” Hardy said. “We had to make do with what we had, and that was each other.”
Hardy left active duty in 1992 and later the Navy Reserve in 1996. He began ministering at a local church while working for a cell phone company. His twin, James, commissioned as a Navy chaplain in 2012. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Hardy’s civilian job, James called and encouraged him to consider returning to the Navy, this time as a chaplain.
“I prayed and was like, ‘Lord, if it is your will for me to be a Navy chaplain, I will go any and everywhere you send me and allow the process to go smoothly,’” Hardy said. “Everything just fell into place.”
In May 2021, Hardy commissioned into the Navy Reserve, officially taking the oath of office on June 2. After completing chaplaincy school, he deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti and later received orders to USS Tortuga, the same ship he served on decades earlier. As a reservist activated in a surface warfare environment, life remains busy, and the well-being of the ship’s company is always a priority. Hardy said he relies on prayer and stays mindful of the stress that comes with life at sea, especially as Sailors spend extended time away from home.
“I try to encourage them with what they are doing and where they are is a great place to be,” said Hardy. “The work and the heavy lift in their labor is not in vain.”
To help keep morale high, he makes it a point to stay visible, regularly walking the ship, visiting offices, and speaking with Sailors throughout the day.
He says the integration of reservists with active-duty personnel strengthens the Navy by bringing in diverse experiences and fresh perspectives. Within the surface warfare community, teamwork and endurance are essential, and reservists help sustain operational readiness alongside their active-duty counterparts.
Chaplains play a vital role in this dynamic environment, offering spiritual support, counseling, and a steady presence during demanding deployments. On ships where Sailors face long hours and isolation from families and the outside world, that support becomes even more critical to maintaining resilience and mission focus.
Hardy’s return to the fleet reflects both a personal and professional mission shaped by faith and family. As a Navy chaplain, he supports Sailors through the emotional and spiritual challenges of deployment, reinforcing resilience across the force. Serving alongside his twin brother, Hardy embodies a legacy of service rooted in shared purpose and deep commitment.
He often encounters Sailors who mistake him for his brother, a sign of just how closely their paths mirror each other. In 2023, both Hardy brothers were promoted to lieutenant commander.
From sharing a birthdate to sharing a calling, the Hardy twins continue to serve side by side, a testament to faith, family, and unwavering commitment to their fellow Sailors. Hardy’s return to the Navy is more than a career revival; it’s the continuation of a legacy forged in service and strengthened by spiritual purpose.
| Date Taken: | 09.23.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.23.2025 10:40 |
| Story ID: | 549040 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 150 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, From the Ranks to the Pulpit: A Navy Chaplain’s Uncommon Path, by PO2 Luke Wilson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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