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Chaplain of the United States Coast Guard

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Chaplain of the
United States Coast Guard
Incumbent
CAPT Jennifer Bowden
since July 2024
Formation1983
WebsiteOfficial Website

The Chaplain of the United States Coast Guard (COCG) is the senior chaplain of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and is attached to USCG headquarters in Washington, D.C. as a United States Navy Chaplain Corps officer who reports directly to the Commandant of the Coast Guard. The current Chaplain of the Coast Guard is Captain Jennifer Bowden.[1]

Purpose

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The Chaplain of the Coast Guard serves as the Commandant's senior advisor on matters pertaining to chaplains and the free exercise of religion as enshrined in First Amendment to the United States Constitution as exercised by USCG personnel and their eligible family members. Chaplains provide religious ministry, advocate for and promote the well-being of USCG personnel, and serve as command liaison officers to civilian religious leaders, communities, organizations and agencies. The duties of the office are described in the Commandant's Religious Ministries in the Coast Guard instruction.[2]

The USCG does not have an organic chaplain corps; chaplains from the United States Navy Chaplain Corps are assigned to the USCG to serve in USCG billets.[3] Traditionally, documents such as the USCG Chaplains Orientation Manual provided guidance for Navy chaplains assigned to USCG duties.[4] Chaplains are clergy who hail from many different faiths and denominations and may be ordained or appointed as ministers, priests, imams, and rabbis by their denomination.

U.S. Coast Guard Chaplains

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Name Photo Term began Term ended
1. CAPT Eddy B. Moran 1983 1986
2. CAPT Richard A. Plishker 1986 1989
3. CAPT James G. Goode 1989 1992
4. CAPT Thomas K. Chadwick 1992 1995
5. CAPT Skip Blancett 1995 1998
6. CAPT Leroy Gilbert 1998 2002
7. CAPT Wilbur C. Douglass, III 2002 2006
8. CAPT William F. Cuddy Jr. 2006 2010
9. CAPT Gary P. Weeden June 11, 2010 March 2014
10. CAPT Gregory N. Todd June 23, 2014 April 12, 2018
11. CAPT Thomas J. Walcott April 12, 2018 April 20, 2022
12. CAPT Daniel L. Mode April 20, 2022 April 24, 2024
13. CAPT Jennifer D. Bowden July 2024 Incumbent

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Murray, Kathy (2024-07-11). "Coast Guard welcomes first female head Chaplain to the service". MyCG. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  2. ^ "Religious Ministries in the Coast Guard" (PDF). Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  3. ^ "Locations" of Navy chaplains assigned to USCG (June 5, 2009). U.S. Coast Guard official website (Chaplain of the Coast Guard). Retrieved 2009-12-03.
  4. ^ "Manual" (PDF). Retrieved June 22, 2018. includes "Coast Guard Map of Areas & Districts", "Part A – General Orientation", "USCG Chaplain Orientation Process", "Chapter Two – Coast Guard Chaplains", "History of Coast Guard Chaplains", "Mission of Coast Guard Chaplains", "Coast Guard Chaplains Organizational Structure", "Role of Coast Guard Chaplains", "Part B: Plan of Ministry for Coast Guard Chaplains".
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