Chief of Chaplains Visits CFAY, Meets Service Members, Families
Story and photo by Joe Schmitt, CFAY Public Affairs



Rear Adm. Mark Tidd talks with chaplains, enlisted religious program specialists and faith leaders who work on CFAY at the Chapel of Hope, tenant commands and ships forward deployed to the area as part of a visit to the region Jan 4. During the visit he thanked the service members, told them about the future of their field, took questions and celebrated several services with local congregations before traveling to other commands in the region.



(Right) Rear Adm. Mark L. Tidd, Chief of Chaplains, speaks with Chaplains and religious programs specialists aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during a recent visit to the ship Jan. 4. U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Alysia R. Hernandez

Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Tidd visited Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) with his wife and staff as part of a larger tour to the region Jan. 3. Tidd stayed in Yokosuka for several days during this visit.

“I came here for many reasons. (The) first was to be able to come to Japan to be able to say thank you to the folks here who are serving in the front lines in support of our national objectives and defending our nation,” said Tidd. “And also [to thank them] for continuing to build our relationship with the people of Japan.”

Tidd viewed the renovations done to the Chapel of Hope that were completed during the past months.

He also met with chaplains, enlisted religious program specialists and faith leaders who work on CFAY at the Chapel of Hope, tenant commands and ships forward deployed to the area.

“I also wanted to hear what it is like my wife Jennifer and I had the opportunity to live here 25 years ago I was a ship’s chaplain on a cruiser that used to be here, but we understand that things change over the years,” said Tidd. “We have heard of the opportunities to live here and the opportunities for travel, for meeting folks from a different culture but that there are also challenges. So, it was important to come here and hear what the people had to say about both the opportunities and the challenges they face here.”

During the meeting, Tidd took questions from the assembled group on subjects that ranged from the future of the chaplain community, advancement issues, and family related concerns. “I didn’t ask any questions today,” said Lt. Benjamin Howard. “But it was great to have that reassurance that we have the support of the top Chaplain in the Navy for what we are doing and that he took time to hear our concerns.”

Tidd reinforced the Chief of Naval Operations guidance for the year which focus on three points, “build the future force, maintain our warfighting readiness, and develop and support our Sailors, Navy civilians, and their families” and what these points mean for the religious ministries community.

Afterwards the groups broke into officers, enlisted members and spouses for more specific question and answer sessions.

“It was encouraging to have [Jennifer Tidd] come here and spend time with the spouses,” said Alejandra Kim, spouse of USS Cowpens chaplain. “It was great to be able to share our war stories and know that they care.”

Tidd stayed through the rest of the week and celebrated several services with local congregations before traveling to other commands in the region.