Capt.Varsogea, a native of Monroe, Michigan, is a graduate of Concordia College, Ann Arbor and the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Michigan, also in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Upon receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1991, he began studies at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  In 1995, he earned a Master of Divinity and was ordained as a minister of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.  That same year, he began his ministry of Word and Sacrament at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ardmore, Oklahoma.  In 1997, he received a call serve as the Senior Pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  He continues to serve this congregation in a missionary capacity.

His operational assignments include service as battalion chaplain for 1^st Battalion, 24^th Marine Regiment, 4^th Marine Division; as deputy group chaplain for Marine Wing Support Group 47; as principal assistant chaplain aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70); and as deputy division chaplain for 1^st Marine Division.

His shore assignments include service with Marine Expeditionary Force Religious Unit (MEFREL) 105 in Columbus Ohio, supporting Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island; Chief of Chaplains of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as policy head (N0975A) ; the staff of the Royal Navy’s Chaplains of the Fleet; Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego as the regimental chaplain; and Chief of Chaplains of the Navy for a second and third assignment  as director for manpower and policy (N0971 and N0975); and as executive assistant.

He became the commanding officer of the Naval Chaplaincy School in June 2022.  In this capacity, he serves as both the force chaplain for Naval Education and Training Command and as the Chief of Navy Chaplains division director for training and education (N0977).

His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Joint Service Commendation, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various personal and unit decorations.

Last Updated: 17 July 2023