YOKOSUKA, Japan -- U.S. Navy Chief of Chaplains Rear Adm. Margaret G. Kibben visited Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka Jan. 6-10, meeting with religious ministry teams from across the region.
Rear Adm. Kibben engaged leadership during her visit, gathered to celebrate the religious program specialist rating's 39th birthday, and also discussed the religious-ministry programs, and their ability to strengthen command mission.
"You can't have that state of readiness all the time if you don't have something on which to draw from," said Kibben. "The heartbeat of the Navy is its people."
Kibben also mentioned how chaplains’ and RPs’ responsibilities are mainly vested in people's wellbeing. "Families and Sailors, wherever they find themselves, they've got to have their well replenished," said Kibben. "That is really what resilience is, having a full well to maintain that strength they bring to the fight."
Rear Adm. Kibben described the team's most effective role in a command's success, while mentioning the term "Ready to Fight Tonight," and defining the religious ministry team's mission in maintaining that strength in the fight.
"We have a perspective on people that no one else has,” said Kibben. "Chaplains and RPs provide a safe place for people to be themselves; we are there to care for each soul who is a part of the command."
Rear Adm. Kibben thanked Sailors and family members for responding to the call by choosing to serve here in the forward deployed naval forces of U.S. 7th Fleet.