United States Navy Chaplain Corps - Yearbook

Page 268 text:

General supervision and making of duty and chapel schedules is the responsibility of the Regimental Chaplain, although he may dele- gate such details as he sees fit. The senior enlisted clerk is in charge of all en- listed personnel assigned to the Chaplains Section and responsible for their performance of duty, Assignments to specific duties will be made by him, subject to the approval of the Regi- mental Chaplain. Such duties include typ- ing, filing, upkeep and cleaning of chapel and offices, music for chapel services, etc. Each chaplain is to conduct such religious serv- ices and functions as his particular church requires, but planning and scheduling of same is coordinated by the Regimental Chaplain. Conclusion l. The Chaplains' Manual, NavPers 15664, 1949 edi- tion, is the guide and authority for the chaplains duties. 2. Common sense in the rapidly changing conditions of battle, remembering to pursue the goal of Bring- ing men to God and God to men under all con- ditions and at all times is the constant and unchanging form for all chaplains. O. INGVOLDSTAD, Jr. LCDR, CHC, USN. -250-

Page 267 text:

E. Under Battle Conditions l. It has been found advisable to have one chap- 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. lain and clerk with each battalion. Chap- lains and clerks remain administratively attached to Regimental Headquarters and Service Company but are attached to the bat- talions for operational control. Assignments are made by Regimental Chaplain. At op- portune times chaplains are rotated between battalions so that each battalion may have the benefit of each chaplain's particular ministry. Chaplains may, and should, use their initiative to visit other battalions so that both Protes- tant and Catholic services are frequently in each battalion. If possible the Regimental Chaplain should be informed beforehand, but in any event he should always be informed as as soon afterward as possible, of the services that are held by the Assistant Chaplains. Although there is no Table of Equipment for the Chaplains Section, the equipment necessary for this type of operation for each chaplain is: a. Jeep and trailer, in which are carried: b. One typewriter, chest, and office supplies. c. One portable altar kit Qsupplied by Navyj. d. Adequate Testaments, Prayer Books, and religious supplies fsupplied from re- ligious sourcesj. e. One portable organ and hymn books fsup- plied by Navyb. f. Two camp stools. In addition to clerical and musical abilities, chaplain's clerks should be qualified jeep drivers and, as far as possible, be assigned to chaplains of similar faith. The chaplain's base of operation shall be the aid station of the organization to which he is op- erationally attached and in no case shall he leave the battalion without notifying proper authority in the battalion. It has become a cherished custom and tradition for Marines to hold a Memorial Service for their departed comrades before leaving the theater of action. These and funeral services are normally conducted under the supervision of the Division Chaplain. At times the Regiment may be on a separate mission and these services will be conducted by the Regiment. A tested and satisfactory type of combined Funeral and Memorial Service is as follows: Setting: One Marine who knew the departed stands at the head of each grave. Funeral party assembles at foot of cemetery, chaplains facing funeral party. Service: 1. Catholic Prayers, Scripture. 2. Protestant Scripture, Prayers. Regimental Chaplain says: Let us all kneel in honor and memory of our departed comrades while the chaplains go to each grave for the graveside service . fFuneral party and Ma- rines at each grave kneel.j -249- 3. Chaplains go to respective graves for graveside service. Regimental chap- lain says: Let us stand. 4. Catholic Prayers, Scripture. 5. Protestant Scripture, Prayers. 6. Lord's Prayer by all. 7. Benediction. 8. Firing of three volleys. 9. Sounding of Taps. If it is to be a Memorial Service only, No. 3 of the Service may be: Regimental chaplain says: Let us all kneel in honor and memory of our departed comrades while the chaplains lead us in prayer. fFu- neral party and Marines at each grave kneel while chaplains turn and face toward graves and offer prayers of intercession and blessing.D 7. Letters to next of kin should be written by the chaplain m0st closely connected with the de- ceased. Copies of such letters are sent to the Division Chaplain. Letters are not mailed directly to the next of kin, but are sent, signed and unsealed, in a larger envelope to: Commandant United States Marine Corps fCode DGUJ Washington, 25, D.C. where they are mailed. This is to prevent letters being mailed to next of kin who have not been officially notified. Extreme care should be taken that dates and grave num- bers are the same as the official records show. F. In Bivouac or Rest Area 1.A Chaplain's Office for all chaplains of the regi- ment is maintained in a centrally located, easily accessible position. It should be so ar- ranged that each chaplain has a private room for consultation and outer office for clerks. Although there is no Table of Equipment for the Chaplains Section, the equipment neces- sary includes desks, typewriters, file cabinets, chairs, and book cases sufficient to accommo- date the staff. If the bivouac area is unimproved, three storage tents should be pro- vided: one to be used as office and the other two together to form a chapel. 2. The Regimental Chapel should also be located in the central part of the Regimental Area, close to the Chaplains Office, and used only for religious services. These services would include daily Catholic Mass, Protestant Bible classes and week-day services, in addition to the Sunday services. 3. While it is desirable that chaplains are out visit- ing the units of the regiment, at least one chaplain is to always be in the office during working hours. When battalions have their own Mess Hall, the method of regularly con- tacting each battalion is for each chaplain to spend the hour or two preceding and follow- ing the noon meal with a different battalion each day.

Page 269 text:

APPENDIX C HEADQUARTERS FLEET MARINE FCRCE, PACIFIC Cfo FLEET POST OFFICE, sAN FRANCISCO 28 MARCH 1951. Fleet Marine Force, Standing Operating Procedure Pacific for the Chaplain Service of General Order No. the Fleet Marine Force, 19 Pacific 1. The following procedure will be used as a guide by chaplains on duty with the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. 2. General: a. The Force Chaplain is on the Special Staff of the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. He shall advise and inform the Commanding Gen- eral in matters pertaining to divine services, religious activities and interests, and personnel of the Chaplain Corps on duty in the Force. b. The Division, Air Wing, or Brigade Senior Chap- lain is normally assigned as Division, Air Wing, or Brigade Chaplain on the Special Staff of the Com- manding General. He shall advise his Commanding General on the assignments and activities of the chap- lains within the Division, Air Wing, or Brigade. He will coordinate and generally supervise the work of these chaplains. c. Unit chaplains have the same functions in their organizations as the Division, Air Wing, Brigade, and Force Chaplains, as concerns the advising of corn- manding officers about the religious provisions for the unit. d. Specific duties of chaplains assigned to Marine Corps units are given in the Marine Corps Staff Man- ual, paragraph 241. 3. In Bivouac or Garrison: a. The functions of the Chaplain Section will be carried out in accordance with the Chaplain's Manual CNavPers l5664jg Navy Regulations, article 08073 BuPers Manual C-12202, C-12205, Staff Manual fl948j NAVMC 1022-DPP, and current directives of the Chaplain's Division of BuPers. b. Chaplains will engage in field training with the organization to which attached. c. Chaplains will be used in Character Guidance Lectures. They will seek opportunities for showing religious and morality films issued by the Navy Department. d-. Prior to operations in the field, chaplains will procure the portable ecclesiastical equipment issued -251 by the Chaplains Division, BuPers. Care should be taken that each chaplain has enough consumable altar supplies for at least one month's use. The Division or Wing Chaplain will procure replacements through regular supply channels. Arrangements should be made for the following items in the field: a portable typewriter with ofiice supplies, a small 2.9 cubic foot field desk, and two camp stools. 4-. In Combat Operations: a. Duties of chaplains between the ports of embar- kation and assault beaches: Q15 The Division chaplain will arrange by consulta- tion with the Embarkation ofiicer for at least one chaplain to sail on each ship ftransport, LST or LSDJ if practicable. Some ships will have ship's chaplains, either Protestant or Catholic, which will be taken into consideration in the distribution of chaplains. Q21 The unit chaplain will schedule religious serv- ices and other religious activities after consultation of the commander of troops, commanding officer of the ship and the ship's chaplain, if one is on board. C3j Chaplains should be placed in rooms with few- est room mates, or be afforded a place for consultation, because of the number of men who desire to talk in private. Q45 Chaplains should make their location aboard known by a sign in the passageway outside their room or office. C55 Prior to sailing, the troops' chaplain will con- fer with the ship's chaplain regarding the amount of religious supplies aboard which will be available for his use at sea. C61 Chaplains will assist, where needed, with the entertainment and recreational program aboard ship for troop personnel. UQ Troops will expect some special service of wor- ship on the eve of debarkation. Upon approval of the Commanding Officer, and in cooperation with the ship's chaplain, a Mass for Catholics and a Com- munion or other service for Protestant personnel should be scheduled. A Jewish service should be ar- ranged if numbers warrant. b. Duties of chaplains in the assault phase: Clj In an amphibious operation, each chaplain will go ashore with the echelon assigned, usually with the unit Aid Station, equipped for immediate minis-