NEWPORT, R.I. -- Naval Chaplaincy School (NCS) leadership, staff, and faculty hosted a congressional staff delegation consisting of U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson’s Chief of Staff Ruth Ward, Representative Keith Self’s Legislative Assistant Joshua Adams, Representative Clay Higgins’ Legislative Director Daniel West, and Representative Robert Aderholt’s Legislative Director Megan Medley during their visit to Newport, Rhode Island, Oct. 3-4.
 
NCS Commanding Officer Capt. Charles Varsogea held an office call with the delegation to provide an understanding of key aspects of the chaplaincy program, review training curriculums used to prepare chaplains for their roles, how the curriculum equips chaplains to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of service members, and to highlight the core values and principles in the chaplaincy training programs.
 
In addition to the delegation’s meeting with NCS leadership, they toured the school and met with faculty from the school’s Advanced and Basic Leadership Course, and instructors from the Religious Program Specialist (RP) "A" School.
 
Located on board Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, NCS trains Navy chaplains and RPs to fulfill a critical role in helping the Navy achieve and maintain a ready and resilient force.

Religious ministry and compassionate pastoral care are characterized by cooperation, tolerance, mutual respect, respect for diversity, and an emphasis on understanding the military environment. Chaplains and RPs are embedded within commands operating at sea and ashore to ensure 24/7 availability for service members and their families.

For additional information on the NCS, visit Naval Chaplaincy School: Home - NETC (navy.mil).