R 151915Z AUG 00  ZYW
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//CMC//
TO ALMAR
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UNCLAS  //N01300//
ALMAR 029/00
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC REL//
SUBJ/CHAPLAIN OF THE MARINE CORPS/DEPUTY CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS//
RMKS/1.  THIS IS A COORDINATED CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS AND
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS MESSAGE. RELIGIOUS MINISTRY IN THE
MARINE CORPS IS A VITAL FUNCTION WHICH ENHANCES THE PERSONAL,
FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY READINESS OF OUR MARINES, SAILORS, AND THEIR
FAMILIES. CHAPLAINCY SUPPORTS THE FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE OF
FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION AND HELPS TO ENRICH THE SPIRITUAL, MORAL,
AND ETHICAL FABRIC OF THE MILITARY.
2.  TO BETTER PROMOTE THIS RICH HERITAGE, THE CNO AND I AGREED TO
AND PROPOSED TO THE SECNAV A CHANGE TO THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPUTY NAVY CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS.
SPECIFICALLY, THE OFFICE OF THE CHAPLAIN  OF THE MARINE CORPS,
CURRENTLY HEADED BY A NAVY CAPTAIN, WILL BE ELEVATED TO REAR ADMIRAL
LOWER HALF. TO THIS END, THE NEXT DEPUTY CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS WILL BE
DUAL-HATTED AS CHAPLAIN OF THE MARINE CORPS.  RELIGIOUS MINISTRY IN
THE MARINE CORPS LED BY A NAVY FLAG OFFICER CLEARLY RAISES THE
VISIBILITY OF THIS VITAL FUNCTION.
3.  SECNAV, IN SUPPORT OF THE CNO AND CMC PROPOSAL, IS REVIEWING A
REVISION TO SECNAVINST 1730.7A, RELIGIOUS MINISTRIES WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, WHICH WILL FORMALLY EFFECT THIS NEW
DIRECTION.
4.  THIS INITIATIVE STRENGTHENS THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE NAVY AND
MARINE CORPS.  THE REAL BENEFACTORS OF THIS NEW DIRECTION WILL BE OUR
MARINES, SAILORS, AND
THEIR FAMILIES.  RELEASED BY JAMES L. JONES, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE
CORPS.//
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