Naval Chaplaincy School and Center returning to Newport

NEWPORT – The U.S. Navy is relocating the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center back to Naval Station Newport, effective March, 1, 2019, Sen. Jack F. Reed, D-R.I., announced Friday.

The school was moved to Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., in 2005 as a result of a Base Realignment and Closure Commission process. Since then, newly commissioned chaplains have begun their training with five weeks in Newport, for “formative opportunities of Naval culture and sailorization while receiving initial training,” and spent the remainder of their training in South Carolina.

The school was originally established in Newport in 1951 as part of Naval Schools Command, after being located in Norfolk, Va., from 1942-45.

The relocation to Newport will result in the moving of 10 officers, four enlisted personnel and seven civilians to Rhode Island as well as the students attending the school.

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Every chaplain is also a Navy officer.

The civilian personnel currently serving in Fort Jackson in South Carolina will be offered transfer of function to Newport.

“I am thrilled the Navy has agreed to return the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center back home to Rhode Island,” stated Reed. “The Chaplain Corps has a vital mission training chaplains to provide religious ministry, pastoral care and support to our sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. This move will bring jobs and longer waves of students to Newport, the Navy’s intellectual home, and will help NCSC effectively train and professionally develop chaplains who can minister and serve as an integrated part of the Navy team.”

Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.