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U.S. Navy Capt. Steve Brown, the Regional Command Southwest, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) force chaplain, based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., received the 2012 John H. Craven Servant Leadership Award for his selfless service to country as a servant leader on March 3, 2012. Photo by Army Spc. Chelsea Russell
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (3/4/2012) - U.S. Navy Capt. Steve
Brown, the Regional Command Southwest, II Marine Expeditionary Force
(Forward) force chaplain, based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., has been
in the military for 32 years. His dedication to country and God
helped him realize the perfect way for him to serve both: as a
chaplain in the military.
Navy chaplains are unique because
they serve with the Navy, the Marine Corps or the Coast Guard.
During the course of his military career, Brown has served with all
three. But even though he is in the Navy, his heart remains with the
Marine Corps.
“I was an enlisted Marine for five and one-half
years when I felt the Lord's calling into full-time ministry, and
then later to be a chaplain. I wanted to be a chaplain that would
serve with Marines,” Brown said. “But Marine chaplains are Navy
chaplains. So, I joined the Navy and I'm actually in the Navy, but
then I get tours periodically to serve with the Marines. And it just
so happens I've spent a good number of my years with Marines.”
The John H. Craven Servant Leadership Award is a peer-nominated
award that acknowledges the significant service of a Navy chaplain
who has earned the rank of Captain or Captain-select. Since the
award process allows any Navy chaplain to nominate a peer for
consideration, Brown actually recommended a fellow chaplain for the
award and expected him to win. When Brown found out he had won the
Craven Award instead, he was shocked. |
“It was a complete surprise,” he said. “I found out from
my wife. She e-mailed me. Several chaplains had called her
and told her.”
U.S. Navy Capt. Lawrence Greenslit, the II MEF chaplain stationed
at Camp Lejeune, N.C., submitted the recommendation for Brown to
receive the Craven Award. He said no matter where Brown is stationed
and who he is serving with, his main concern is always about taking
care of the people in his charge.
“I recommended him for the
award because of all the chaplains I know and I know many. Steve
Brown, to me, epitomizes what it means to be a servant and to take
care of people,” said Greenslit. “The first question out of Steve's
mouth is always, not how will this impact chaplains, it's how can we
best take care of people. That's always his focus.”
The fact
that he has been able to do that for a year in a deployed
environment says a lot about his character and his commitment to
Marines, sailors and their families, said Greenslit.
Greenslit admitted that he expected Brown to win.
“I was
very happy to hear [he won],” said Greenslit. “I just don't think
there's another chaplain right now who is a better example of what
it means to be a servant leader than Steve Brown.”
Brown is
quite modest when it comes to his accomplishments and achievements,
but he has had a significant impact on strengthening military forces
through his spiritual guidance, engaging leadership and his efforts
to build community, all while inspiring subordinates to professional
excellence. He said the Craven Award means a lot to him because the
award honors a Marine chaplain.
Brown and Craven are alike
in many ways.
“I am a Navy chaplain, but I'm really a Marine
chaplain,” Brown said, his powerful voice filled with emotion. “John
Craven spent the majority of his time with the United States Marines
and he deployed with them to two different wars. I have deployed
with Marines to two different wars. Now the wars I've been in
haven't been anything like the wars he's been in. There's really no
comparison.
“I was an enlisted Marine, he was an enlisted
Marine. As I read his biography there are a lot of similarities
between the two of us. So I would just say, the one thing that most
honors me about receiving the award is it clearly identifies me as a
Marine chaplain.”
Even though this will be Brown's last
deployment, he is grateful he was offered the opportunity to be
deployed as a Marine chaplain to take care of the religious and
spiritual needs of Marines. He said spiritually-ready Marines are
better Marines.
“I'm overwhelmed by the honor bestowed on
me,” said Brown. “I'm just thankful that I can just continue to
serve Marines and those who serve with them.”
By Army Spc. Chelsea Russell
Regional Command Southwest
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
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