To strengthen the delivery of religious ministry and enhance leadership development, the Office of the Navy Chief of Chaplains began hosting 12 professional development training courses (PDTC) at several bases in the U.S. and overseas, Feb. 13, in Jacksonville, Florida.

This year's theme is "The Role of Chaplaincy in the Face of Violence."

"We gather annually at locations around the world to receive instruction on how to conduct ministry more professionally. This year we are focusing on how religious ministry can contribute to the prevention of, and response to, targeted and interpersonal violence," said Rear Adm. Margaret Kibben, Chief of Chaplains, in opening remarks to an audience of more than 50 chaplains and religious program specialists (RPs) at the training validation at Chapel Center, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, in Washington, D.C., Jan. 9-11.

Chaplains and RPs continually train to deliver the broadest spectrum of effective religious ministry which enriches the lives of service members and their families.

Lecturers with expertise in law enforcement will deliver the PDTC to chaplains and RPs over the course of three days.

One area which inspired energetic discussion during the validation was the existence of similarities and differences between law enforcement tactics and ministry approaches. A similarity is the dedication of both groups to the well-being of the least protected in society. One significant difference is the absolute confidentiality enjoyed by service members who divulge information to chaplains.

Rear Adm. Brent Scott highlighted the role of chaplains as "the ultimate safety valve."

Both instructors and chaplains were receptive to new concepts, approaches, and ideas on how to protect and minister to victims of targeted and interpersonal violence.

"It's got us started in process improvement focused on the never-ending job of professionally engaging the entire network that exists to help people," said Master Chief Religious Program Specialist Lissett Araiza, Pacific Command. "Chaplains and RPs can contribute greatly, and need to understand the process of how to do so."

The PDTC's capstone exercise consists of realistic scenarios to give religious ministry personnel the opportunity to build care plans for those affected by violence in a variety of circumstances, validating the learning experience.

"What this [PDTC] does is enhance our understanding that we really do need to step into the conversation in the face of violence, and helps us identify best practices for doing so effectively," added Kibben. "We as religious ministry teams can step into the conversation to say there are human beings here, there are consequences, and there's an essence here that we need to make sure doesn't get lost. That's the role you'll play."

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