A retired Navy Chief Petty Officer writes a letter of recommendation for Navy Chaplin Lieutenant Commander Scott Shafer. The letter summarizes Shafer's duties, which included providing spiritual guidance, counseling crew members, and acting as an ambassador during visits to over 15 countries. It provides examples of Shafer's leadership, such as organizing relief efforts after the 2011 Japan earthquake/tsunami and helping the less fortunate in every country visited. The letter strongly recommends Shafer for his leadership, religious devotion, compassion, experience, and moral character.

1. To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to you on behalf of the keen abilities, integrity, intelligence, and
above all, the outstanding moral character of U.S. Navy Chaplin Lieutenant Commander
Scott Shafer. I first met Chaplin Shafer in 2009 while serving as a Division Leading
Chief Petty Officer onboard the USS Blue Ridge, flagship of the Commander of the U.S.
Navy Seventh Fleet home ported in Yokosuka Japan. Chaplin Shafer and I shared a
common interest in the history of World War II in the Pacific and thus struck up on
instant friendship. Since that time, I have had the opportunity to observe his actions and
duties over the course of several years and have come to the conclusion that he is the
finest, most knowledgeable, flexible and most compassionate Chaplin that I encountered
during my 24 years of naval service.
I would first like to acquaint you with the duties and responsibilities of the
military Chaplin as many in the civilian community are under the impression that they
serve in a limited religious capacity only. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Chaplin Shafer was not only responsible for the spiritual well being of the crew, but he
was also the principle counselor, benefactor and mentor to their emotional and
psychological needs. He, more so than any other officer, was most directly responsible
for the overall moral of the crew through his daily engagements and interactions with
everyone from the ships captain to its newest seaman. Finally, Chaplin Shafer was also
the ships principle ambassador of compassion and good will to the peoples of over 15
countries visited by Blue Ridge during his tour.
Although some of these duties may be a common expectation of any pastor or
priest, Chaplin Shafer was charged in providing these services while navigating the
complex and often contradictory rules and regulations that govern the U.S. Navy, a task
that a civilian pastor would find most daunting. Also, a Chaplin’s flock is quite different
from that of a pastor, whose congregation is usually all from a local region and is of
similar background. In contrast, the Navy is composed of a multitude of individuals of
vastly disparate ages, backgrounds, experiences and religious beliefs or, in some cases,
lack thereof. While onboard USS Blue Ridge, Chaplin Shafer’s charges numbered around
500. In his most recent assignment onboard USS George Washington, they numbered as
many as 5,000 and in each case, Chaplin Shafer performed his demanding and complex
duties with distinction.
Were I to cite every example of Chaplin Shafer’s abilities and dedication to his
fellow man, this letter would indeed form a book, but here are but a few examples of
which I personally witnessed. He counseled and guided 50 sailors who were on the verge
of an emotional breakdown caused by the demands of military service. Although I
cannot cite specific numbers, I am aware that there were a number of crewmen who were
contemplating suicide or suffering from some form of self-destructive behavior that he
subsequently counseled and successfully set on a new path to self-growth. Following the

2. devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in 2011, Chaplin Shafer was
instrumental in organizing drives to provide food, clothing, toiletries and other basic
needs to the thousands of victims of that disaster. His leadership during that crisis
resulted in the USS Blue Ridge and its crew being awarded Joint Meritorious Unit Award
and Humanitarian Service Medal by the Secretary of Defense and Department of the
Navy. Finally, in every nation we visited, I witnessed Chaplin Shafer on the front line
helping the less fortunate of that country. Whether it was distributing food and clothing,
entertaining injured children, rehabilitating orphanages, repairing infrastructure, or
tending the graves of U.S. servicemen buried in foreign soils, Chaplin Shafer was always
there in the lead.
In closing, I wish to convey to you my strongest possible recommendation and
testament to the leadership, religious devotion, counseling capabilities, compassion,
experience, diplomatic acumen and good moral character of Chaplin Scott Shafer. I can
state, without reservation, that not only would he be a tremendous asset to your
organization, but one that you would pass over to your own detriment.
Very Respectfully,
Donald F. Morrow
Chief Petty Officer U.S. Navy (Ret)