these  courses  upon  request.  The  remainder  of the  discussion  on  the  Chaplain  Corps  in  this module   will   be   centered   on   present-day   con- cerns. PURPOSE OF THE CHAPLAIN  CORPS The  purpose  of  the  Navy  Chaplain  Corps, which   is   comprised   of   representatives   of   the various  religious  bodies  of  the  United  States,  is to  provide  professional  guidance  to  the  Depart- ment  of  the  Navy  and  to  promote  the  spiritual, religious,   moral,   and   personal   well-being   of members of that establishment by providing the ministries appropriate to their rights and needs. This  may  involve  providing  ministries  to dependents   and   other   authorized   individuals. the  chaplain’s  ministries  normally  include  con- ducting worship services, liturgy, and rites; pro- viding religious   education   and   pastoral ministries; organizing   spiritual renewal activities; and,   participating   in   humanitarian projects. Quotas for Navy chaplains are established by Government  authority  based  upon  the  overall national population for the various faith groups. The right of these groups to establish standards for  their  clergy  seeking  comissioning  as  naval officers  in  the  staff  corps  (Chaplain  Corps)  is recognized  by  the  Navy.  This  approval  is  re- ferred  to  as  an  ecclesiastical  endorsement.  The Navy Department will not commission or call to active  duty  any  clergy  person  who  has  not received  an  ecclesiastical  endorsement.  A  can- didate for commissioning in the Chaplain Corps, in  addition  to  ecclesiastical  endorsement,  must have  completed  4  years  of  undergraduate  study in an accredited college or university, and must possess   a   Master   of   Divinity   degree   or   an equivalent  theological  degree.  Candidates  must also  meet  the  required  age  and  physical qualifications. MISSION OF THE CHIEF OF  CHAPLAINS Respect   and   custom   established   the   unof- ficial  title  “Chief  of  Chaplains”  prior  to  its official  establishment  by  an  Act  of  Congress  on 22  December  1944.  Since  March  1945,  the Navy’s  Chaplain  Corps  has  been  headed  by  a Chief   of   Chaplains   with   the   rank   of   rear admiral. The Chief of Chaplains is selected from among  the  rear  admirals  of  the  Chaplain  Corps on  active  duty  and  is  assigned  to  the  Office  of the  Chief  of  Naval  Operations.  The  mission  of the  Chief  of  Chaplains  is  delineated  in  figure II-1-5. THE Of  all  the MILITARY   CHAPEL buildings  located  on  a  military base,  the  chapel  is  unique  in  that  its  architectural form   generally   reveals   its   function.   It   is important to note that chapel facilities are Gov- ernment property and are not controlled or regu- lated  by  the  religious  bodies  of  America.  Their purpose  is  to  support  a  Command  Religious Program  (CRP)  in  the  following  ways:  (1)  the maintenance  of  morale;  and,  (2)  the  preserva- tion of the right of military personnel to the free exercise of religion. The commanding officer has authority   to   utilize   buildings   designated   as chapels  for  a  multitude  of  religious,  command, and   civil   activities. Normally   the   command MISSION  OF  THE  CHIEF OF   CHAPLAINS To advise the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief   of   Naval   Operations,   the   Deputy Chief   of   Naval   Operations   (Manpower, Personnel   and   Training),   and   senior echelon   officials   of   the   Navy,   Marine Corps,  and  Coast  Guard  in  matters  and policies  pertaining  to  the  religious  and moral  well-being  to  military  personnel;  to represent the department of the Navy to the religious bodies of the nation; to direct the development  of  plans,  policy,  programs, and  requirements  necessary  to  support  the ministry  of  religion;  and,  to  act  so  that naval  personnel  are  not  deprived  of  their right to the free exercise of religion. Figure II-1-5.—Mission of the Chief of Chaplains, 1-6