Life of a military chaplain

By CDR MILES J BARRETT, CHC, USN
Guest commentary
August 17, 2006

Want to make God laugh? Tell Him what you have planned, right? In 1970 while entertaining on USO tours in Iceland, Greenland, and New Finland I could not imagine life today in the priesthood let alone military chaplaincy. Had I been asked in 1972 while teaching K-12 vocal and instrumental music in Iowa if I had planned to be a Navy Chaplain, I and my relatives would have laughed. Had I been asked February 20th in 1982 when I was ordained if I had plans to be a Navy Chaplain, me and my relatives would have rolled with loud barrel laughs. Some are still amused today. Funny God!

It was a Lutheran retired Navy Chaplain in Spencer, Iowa who God choose to use to invite me to serve the military and their families in 1986. Twenty years later I feel so grateful for God's sense of humor. I had argued I had plans to fly as a priest-pilot in Alaska where the gifts God had given me were calling. God's generosity since has seen His 'Flyin' Padre' fly over almost all 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska as pilot in command. Yet the most flights rewarding have been as passenger some 10 hours a week on the 'Holy Helo' bringing the Sacraments to the troops at sea; or just enjoying flights at the controls in F-18s, S-3s, and E-2 Hawkeye catapulting off the KITTY HAWK CV63 and trapping the 3 wire has been tax-free moments laughing with God. Thanks God!

Twenty-four years ordained, five years in the Navy Chaplain Corps reserves and 15 years on active duty has found this servant of God blessed with memories with Marines and Sailors around the Globe. The honor to be at their side in the field, underway, and then for their marriage, the baptism of their new born (who was delivered while Daddy was underway, 149 new Daddies were 1st off the USS KITTY HAWK CV63 to meet their wives and children born during a 6 month WESTPAC), as well as the healing moments in shock-trauma or intensive care where the Sacrament of the Sick has been offered in quiet prayer. All is gift which as a priest/chaplain I have the privilege to share, as an encounter with Christ as He lives 24/7 with God's servants in the military, one with those who lay their lives down for others to know mercy. Thanks God!

My present assignment is transitioning from the United States Naval Academy where I have been an Ethics Fellow for a year, then one of two Catholic priests on a staff of six chaplains for over 4000 midshipmen, 3500 staff, families and alumni. 38% of the midshipmen are Roman Catholic, so it was a blessing to have Deacon Gary Ingold (class of 75' grad) and the two men and two women with Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) bring more Bible studies and retreats to help the weekly RCIA class and midshipmen club. They volunteered over 250 hours weekly beyond what Fr. Matt Lee and I could offer. Daily Mass attendance is up 25%. USNA Chapel has seven weddings each Saturday and last year over 1240 events. I believe in empowering the laity as Vatican II directed, and what a difference they make in spreading the Gospel.

My latest orders bless me with a move to Cherry Point, NC to serve the 2nd Division Marine Aircraft Wing this March. After two Fleet Marine Force tours and two 'flat tops' I feel so grateful to be with my first Wing and a Marine wing at that. At my age it's like old home week in every new port call or duty station. Their hospitality is another one of God's gifts to Navy Chaplains-priest who find a family of helping hands on both ends of the PCS move.

My first duty station on active duty with Marines in Hawaii allowed me to learn windsurfing, scuba diving, and sailing to better engage the sailors and Marines where they are living, at the beach. Who said a vocation was all work, right? I'm called to be a 'fisher of men/women', so my free guitar lessons, aviation ground school, or recreation is God given 'bate and lures' for the men/women I serve. They come in for what they seek and find sacramental preparation taste just as good. Sailing the Navy 44' at the Academy was a real treat, while it's used to teach leadership to the midshipmen, it helped me reach midshipmen and staff as well found only on the water. As the chaplain at the Navy Annapolis Flight Center I reached midshipmen and staff where they lived and flew; they connected first then opened up with some great theological discussions.

I've stayed healthy within the Navy life style. It's blessed by mandatory physical exercise programs, and continued education Navy style. Navy put another Masters in Ethics in my tool box to better serve as an Ethics Chairman at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. Thanks God, and thank you tax-payers. Prayer time alone or with the troops on the spot has never been predictable as the Spirit has kept God's humor alive and well. I invite priest and seminarians to come spend a week or month with me wherever the Navy sends me. We'll pray study and serve the poor as Jesus did among his people, 24/7; and, rejoice in the Lord always...often making a joyful noise unto the Lord. My new house in Cherry Point NC area has lots of room for guests who may like to serve the troops; troops who serve that we may have freedom. Interested? Know anyone? Come visit. You never know what God has planned until you listen to him laugh with creative joy!