FEATURED PROFILE: CH (CAPT) Raymond Houk, USN, MDiv, DMin, BCC
By Helen McNeal, Senior Advisor to the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab
A young Marine stationed in Japan — a long way from home — decided that volunteering at the base chapel would be a good way to make some friends and engage with the local community. The idea of getting to know the community and doing things that might improve their lives was appealing. He found much more than he bargained for!
Today, Ray Houk is a Captain in the U.S. Navy’s Chaplain Corps, Executive Assistant to the Navy Chief of Chaplains, and an ordained Minister in the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
But in those early days in Japan, a young Ray Houk found that he enjoyed community engagement and, as he worked with the chaplains, how much he appreciated their role. This connection with chaplaincy continued throughout his Marine Corps service. It led both to an awakening of his own faith and the recognition that he wanted to serve those who serve their country. Ray returned to school at Fuller Theological Seminary and graduated with a Master of Divinity in Cross-Cultural Ministry. After a brief stint as a pastor in a civilian setting, he returned to the service as a Chaplain in the U.S. Navy.
Since joining the Navy Chaplain Corps, Ray has had a variety of assignments. One took him back to the Marines. One had him supporting one of the Navy’s Construction Battalions (the “SeaBees”). Another had him serving on one of the Navy’s hospital ships and then at the headquarters of Navy medicine, the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland (now known as the Walter Reed Military Medical Center). Ray says that this variety of roles and locations is what makes Navy chaplaincy such a rewarding career, but he is also quick to say “it’s not a desk job. We go where the forces go.”
Like all chaplains, Ray and other Navy Chaplains are ready to be present in times of crisis. But they also serve as vital resources in the day-to-day lives of those in their command and their families. One of the distinguishing realities of Navy chaplaincy is that it serves a much younger than average population. The average age of those served is 19; in the general population, the average age is 38. “Their energy level is amazing. They are incredibly self-sacrificing and are at that point in their lives when they are hungry for the truth and want to make the world a better place.”
Like all chaplains, Ray and other Navy Chaplains are ready to be present in times of crisis.
What keeps Ray engaged and excited today is exactly what drew in that young marine. He thrives on building relationships and continually looking to find ways to undertake projects that positively touch the lives of all of those in the command he serves. “It is so rewarding to be able to work with others, supporting them in living their values. While we are always here religiously for those in our faith tradition and those who seek us out, we strive to be here for all in the command and their families in the ways they need us and that are not always about being religious.”
An example of this is the Pre- and Post-Deployment Briefings that are done for the service members and also for their families. While officially hosted by the commander of the unit, they are organized and orchestrated by the chaplain. In the Pre-Deployment Briefings, family members are informed, to the extent possible, about aspects of the deployment and its timetable. They learn about how to communicate with loved ones, how and where additional information will be made available and the resources, including the chaplains, that are available to support them during the deployment. There is also food and fun activities that children can enjoy both on their own and with their deploying parent. As the end of the deployment approaches, separate Post-Deployment Briefings are conducted for service members and for their families. For both service members and family members, the briefings serve as a reminder that while the deployment was taking place, everyone experienced some degree of change and lots of things occurred. All are encouraged to re-enter their homes and relationships as a “gracious guest” with a gentle presence, being open to the changes, being ready to re-negotiate roles, and honor what happened in the lives of their loved ones during the deployment.
“We are there to connect people and support them in their connections to others, the Navy and, of course, their spiritual tradition.”
While these briefings have been taking place for more than 30 years, one innovation of which Ray has been part is the use of social media to compliment the face-to-face briefings and to provide ready access to deployment information and support for family members at a distance. In fact, for Ray innovation in service of meeting the needs of service members and their families is always top of mind. That innovation often takes the form of thinking of things like education and special programs that can ease the lives and concerns of those they serve.
With more than 100 faith traditions represented in the services supported by Navy chaplains, Ray is quick to point out that chaplains are there to care for everyone, not just those of their own faith tradition. “We are there to connect people and support them in their connections to others, the Navy and, of course, their spiritual tradition. If we cannot help them, we are resource links to those who can.”
One role for which chaplains are increasingly sought out by service members is for counseling. Many service members prefer not to go to a psychiatrist for counseling, as those visits are formally documented. Instead, if they feel they need help, they will go to the chaplain. “Chaplains are seen as a non-threatening, non-judgmental presence. My goal is to be that and to be accessible when and where needed.”
Navy chaplains support not only those in the Navy and their families but also those serving in the Marine Corps and in the Coast Guard.
Unlike chaplains in other services, Navy chaplains support not only those in the Navy and their families but also those serving in the Marine Corps and in the Coast Guard. (Incidentally, they also support the Merchant Marine service, with a chaplain stationed at the Merchant Marine Academy in King’s Point, New York.) Being that presence and being there when and where they are needed for the more than half a million service members in the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard — plus their families — is a challenge faced by the 800 stalwart chaplains in the U.S. Navy Chaplaincy Corps. As Ray was quick to let us know, the current chaplains are challenged to meet the need and the Navy is currently hiring more chaplains (www.navy.com/careers/navy-chaplain). “It’s a great career with travel and wonderful opportunities … for the right people.”
For a young Marine in Japan, the chaplain opened the door to faith, a career and the chance to focus on his passion for always looking for new and better ways to benefit the lives of those in his community. For Ray Houk, the decision to become a chaplain was life-changing and rewarding. He hopes that others will feel the same way about military chaplaincy and join him in serving “his community”, the men and women of the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.
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Learn more about this article’s author, Helen McNeal, here.
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