MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Lt. j.g. Jones Gaye, a native of Florence, South Carolina, is training at Naval Chaplaincy School to serve as a chaplain for America’s seafaring warfighters.
Gaye graduated from Carver Mission Academy in 1993, before moving to Florence. Additionally, Gaye earned a bachelor’s degree from Allen University in 2024.
“My birth country, Liberia, experienced civil war for 14 years,” Gate said. “It was during this time in the state of chaos that I met a United States Army chaplain who preached, resulting in many turning their lives to Christ. I learned that just one act of kindness and love can change the narrative of a group of people.”
Gaye joined the Navy three months ago.
“I joined the Navy because I have met the qualification criteria, and I have the experience and passion to serve the ministry of presence in the Navy and a pluralistic environment,” Gaye said.
More than 800 Navy chaplains from more than 100 faith groups, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist, serve in the Navy Chaplain Corps. After seven weeks of training at Naval Chaplaincy School and Center at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, the chaplains set on their mission to provide support and guidance to sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen at sea and on the shore.
“Navy chaplains encourage their shipmates to connect to the ultimate good and to a community that shares their convictions about what or who that good is,” said Capt. Charles Varsogea, chaplain and commanding officer of the Naval Chaplaincy School. “Navy chaplains help people find the value, the meaning, and the purpose of their lives. Navy chaplains support people in their willingness to serve and sacrifice for the greater good.”
In the Basic Leadership Course, Navy chaplains learn to tailor religious ministry to life in the sea services, said Varsogea. They also learn how to facilitate the free exercise of religion for people of faiths other than their own. They learn service-specific ways to care for all people, and they learn how and when to render their best military advice.
“The graduates of our Basic Leadership Course are trained, developed and inspired to give our seagoing warfighters the strength of spirit necessary to complete their missions with honor,” Varsogea said.
Chaplains and religious program specialists (RP) play a critical role in helping the Department of the Navy achieve and maintain a ready force through the delivery of professional religious ministry and compassionate pastoral care. Chaplains and RPs are embedded within commands operating at sea and ashore to ensure 24/7 availability. They provide a source of comfort and refuge that enables service members and their families to practice and grow in their faith and to face personal and professional challenges.
“My best part of the job is to be present for somebody,” Gaye said. “To provide care and support in times of crisis.”
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Gaye has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am proud I came forward to serve,” Gaye said.
Gaye serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving the Navy for me is a dream come true,” Gaye added. “To get to minister to those who protect our country and our way of life is fulfillment in my ministerial journey.”