WEBVTT

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Every day at Naval Submarine Base New

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London , sailors stand the watch .

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Behind every mission , there's

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something deeper that keeps us steady .

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In 1775 , George Washington urged the

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Continental Congress to appoint

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chaplains , believing that the blessing

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and protection of heaven and a sense of

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religious duty were essential to the

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character of a service member . He

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understood to be tough warriors , we

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must first have strong spirits . Here

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at the chapel on the Thames , we say

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this is a place where faith runs deep .

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Today , the Navy calls that spiritual

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readiness . It's not just about

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religion . It's about drawing on inner

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strength from a higher purpose to meet

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the demands of the mission . As your

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commanding officer , mission readiness

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is one of my top priorities , but

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readiness doesn't start with gear or

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equipment . It starts inside each of us .

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Spiritual readiness is the inner

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strength from a higher purpose . It's

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that moral grounding that helps keeps

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us steady when the mission really tests

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us . When we say strong spirit , tough

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warrior , we're talking about your

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whole person , your purpose , your

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values , your resilience . This month ,

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we want to focus on that inner strength

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and on taking care of each other as a

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team and a community .

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For me , spiritual greatness is having

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a why and when my work matters , I wake

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up stronger every day . Spirit is the

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force that anchors my values . When I'm

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facing a tough decision , that moral

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grounding keeps me steady . Spiritual

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strength is that quiet voice that says

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you can do this . It's what keeps me

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from burning out when the tempo gets

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too high . Even as a first ascension

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sailor , I've learned that spiritual

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readiness means I'm not alone . We're

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stronger together . Spiritual care is

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intentional support for your inner

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strength , your faith , your family ,

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and our force . Chaplains walk

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alongside sailors and their families ,

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helping steady the spirit and guide

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reflection . We're all over the

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installation centrally located at the

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schoolhouse or even down in the boats ,

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offering counseling , workshops and

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support for everyone in our submarine

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force . Sometimes that looks like a

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conversation , sometimes guidance ,

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sometimes it's simply just being

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present . And here at Chapel on the

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Thames , our historic chapel where

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faith runs deep , we offer divine

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services and believe connection is

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possible across all backgrounds and all

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beliefs . So , in the truest spirit of

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chaplaincy , wherever you're at , we

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walk with you .

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It lowers stress , improves resilience ,

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and helps sailors handle the demands of

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service . Families play a huge role in

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spiritual readiness . Our workshop and

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counseling helps strengthen family

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connections and stability at home , and

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that makes our sailors stronger at work .

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Our job requires sacrifice . Spiritual

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readiness helps us find meaning in that

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circle . Knowing what we do protects

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our shipmates . Our families and our

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nation .

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This January , I invite you to take a

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moment for yourself , explore the

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reflection challenges , connect with

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our resources , and find one thing that

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strengthens your spirit . Even a single

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step toward building that inner

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strength makes a lasting difference for

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you , your family , and the sailors

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standing to watch beside you .

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Shipmates , you are the iron in the

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forge . Battle-ready warriors for the

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fight . Commit to strengthening your

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spirit . Because when your spirit is

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strong , It's unstoppable .

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Oh boy .