Command Religious Ministries Supports Crew While At Sea
By MC3(SW) Devon Dow, USS George Washington Public Affairs



(Right) Cmdr. Brian Haley, USS George Washington (CVN 73) command chaplain, offers communion to Airman Alexander Czerwimski while conducting morning mass July 11. Command chaplains conduct mass, organize community outreach projects and counsel Sailors while helping to maintain overall morale aboard the ship. U.S. Navy photo by MC3(SW/AW) Adam K.Thomas

Since the founding of the U.S. Armed Forces, chaplains have been serving the spiritual needs of Sailors, soldiers, Marines and airman. Today, on board USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW) this fact is no exception.

Religious support has a vital role to play in military life. The Command Religious Ministries Department (CRMD) operates around-the-clock and stands ready to assist the crew and their families with religious, spiritual and personal needs or concerns.

This work is done by three GW chaplains, Religious Program Specialists, Temporarily Assigned Duty (TAD) personnel and designated command lay leaders representing a variety of religious traditions.

“For those who come to our services, I hope they are beneficial to them,” said Lt. Cmdr. David Yang, a chaplain aboard GW. “The worship services, Bible study and various programs we offer Sailors will only help them throughout their time on board. The more opportunities that are given to them and the more chances they have to come and take part I think will be beneficial not only to them but to the command as well.”

Responsible for more than 50 religious programs a week at sea, CRMD provides thousands of acts of ministry over the course of a cruise. The chaplains counsel hundreds of Sailors on a wide variety of issues ranging from religious matters to personal problems. Evening prayer over the ship’s intercom system, as well as other prayers offered from medical to the brig, to flight deck control, punctuates life at sea for many.

“I think it’s a good thing for us to be able to have services at sea,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Airman Raymond Ussery, a Macon, Ga. native from Air Department’s V-4 Division. “The services definitely provide Sailors an outlet after work and wanting some time to unwind or to practice their faith.

The Sunday services can also provide a feeling of home for those who are use to attending services back with their families.” CRMD operates the ship’s Learning Media Resource Center (the ship’s library) which serves Sailors and gives them access to reading materials, videos and e-mail.

“I’ve used the library since I have been on board GW. It’s a good place to relax when I have time,” said Colorado Springs, Colo. native Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Taurean Jones from Air Department’s V-3 Division. “All of the services and other projects that the CRMD provides are good ways to raise morale.”

“That’s the reason why we exist, to serve our Sailors, assist them in becoming better and make sure that they are taken care of while they are doing their mission here onboard GW,” Yang said. “We try to incorporate the ‘whole Sailor’ where not only their physical needs are met, but their spiritual and mental needs as well.

When they have some time off they can come to the lounge in the library and relax or study. That time alone can make a huge difference in a Sailor’s performance.”

Whether in port or in foreign ports, CRMD helps Sailors serve the greater community. In the last two years GW has conducted more than 200 Community Service Projects in countries such as Republic of Korea, Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong to name a few.

“These service projects give us a great opportunity to lend a helping hand and build relationships with countries we visit and gives us the opportunity to be an ambassador to our Navy and our nation,” Yang said.

Life Skills classes are administered by CRMD which offer a wide variety of topics to include stress and Anger Management, Couples Communication, Conflict Resolution and parenting to list a few. Chaplains also offer pastoral care and counseling including marriage and pre-marriage counseling.

“I think the Life Skills courses we provide are very important,” Yang said. “They can help prepare Sailors for every kind of life setting on a daily basis, not just on military skills or situations, but on a personal level for them as well.”

CRMD provides Sailors with a wide variety of service while in port and underway. Yang said he sees the success of the programs through the positive feedback he receives from the crew.

“I have spoken with Sailors and received a lot of e-mails from some who said I made a huge difference in their time on board, I was humbled by their remarks,” he said. “Sometimes you wonder if you’re making a difference and to hear the responses from the Sailors as I begin to transition reassure in me that the CRMD on GW is doing their part.”