Twenty-three chaplain students from the Navy Chaplaincy School and Center in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, came aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) for a two-day training event with Truman's Command Religious Ministries Department (CRMD) Nov. 15-16.

"The chaplains-in-training came aboard Truman to receive an overview of what it's like to be a chaplain in the fleet," said Lt. Cmdr. James Dance, Truman's associate chaplain. "We provided them with berthing and a breakfast in the wardroom as well as an overview of CRMD and its support of the ship's mission. Also, they received a tour of the ship and the areas of the ship where ministry is provided."

The chaplain students are recently commissioned officers. Most have only been in the Navy for a few months.

"There are so many opportunities to serve as a Navy chaplain," said Lt. j.g. John Bethell, a student with the program. "This experience on Truman exposed us to a huge deal of diversity. It was like drinking from a fire hose - meaning we got lots of information from such a short stay."

Navy chaplains have many opportunities to serve on shore and at sea, including serving alongside other military branches. Along with spending time on Truman, the chaplain students were exposed to life on a Navy submarine, a Coast Guard cutter and at a military base chaplain center. Upon graduation from the chaplain school in South Carolina, these students have orders to serve throughout the fleet.

"I decided to become a Navy Chaplain because everyone has a need, especially the need to be listened to," said Bethell. "I had a good chaplain when I was enlisted, so now I want to be a good chaplain for someone else."

Truman is currently moored at Naval Station Norfolk preparing for the integrated phase of pre-deployment training. For more news from USS Harry S. Truman, visit http://www.facebook.com/usstruman.

For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/.