Admiral W L Capps (AP 121) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE CHAPLAIN The Ships Chaplain cares for the morale of the men in general and for their religious life in particular. He conducts divine services at least every Sunday. During those moments the smoking lamp is respectfully extinguished and the church pennant flies above the shipls ensign. When conditions warrant, services are held topside with the sky as a canopy for the altar. The Chaplain is welcomed in the ofhcers, wardroom as well as in any of the crew's quarters. He is confidant, confessor, ad- visor. The sympathy chit is associated with every Chaplain wherever American Forces gather and most men joke about the T.S. card. Yet, as all admit, there is a particular need for someone to remove worry from a troubled mind. It always helps to have someone share your misery and the Chaplain not only answers this need but many times gets a receding hairline for his worries. The men look to the Chaplain to go to bat for themw and, in this expectation, confer upon him his most difficult role. He is the last resort for a man hoping to gain a special favor, and his batting average will depend mainly on how well his persuasive talents work on the Executive Officer. As aids in his recreational work, a collateral duty, the Chaplain draws on the Red Cross, the USO and the local welfare organiza- tions. From these he gathers athletic equipment, arranges theatri- cals, plans tours, conducts socials. Such activities mean much to the morale of the American youth whom the Chaplain proudly serves.

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ARMY TRAN PORTATION TAFF Since the main function of the ADMIRAL CAPPS was the transporting of troops, it was found necessary to assign a number of Army Officers and men whose duties were to load troops, care for them enroute, and prepare them for disembarking. To ac- complish this, the Army assigned three officers and four enlisted men. During embarkation, the Transportation Staff assisted the men in locating the berths assigned to them by the Staff and in straightening out any stoppages or slowing down of the loading. As soon as the embarkation is completed, troop officers are assigned as compartment commanders and hatch commanders. Details are then assigned, some 825 men being required for this duty, and the shipboard troop organization is then put into effect. One oliicer of the Transport Staff is assigned the duty of Special Services Officer. His function is to maintain morale during an otherwise boring voyage by organizing recreational facilities, publishing a daily paper, arranging for arrival telegrams to be sent and handling all troop personnel problems. As the voyage draws to an end, the troops are schooled in debarkation and drills are held to familiarize the men with the procedure to be used. When the actual debarkation takes place, the Army Transport Staff is present to insure that the operation runs smoothly. The Army Transportation Staff has done an excellent job in handling the troops. Due to their efforts the efhciency of the ADMIRAL CAPPS as a troop transport has been materially in- creased. Thc' Troop C O's ojicc' f.! The Ships Chaplz general and for their r He conducts fii'-ii those moments the 1 and the church pert? conditions warrant, f canopy for the airar. The Chaplain is as in any of the crews visor. The sjsmpathg. wherever American Po T.S. card. Yet, as adt to remove worry from someone share mi this need but uni The men look ., in this expectation. conf the last resort for a batting average wiil talents work on the Ex As aids in his recrea draws on the Red Cross tions. From these he ga cals, plans tours. condu the morale of the Arne serves.

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