Navy Chaplain Won Two Prestigious Awards
Commander William Bevins received two honors in late 2026 for his service and curriculum development work.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Military Jobs
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In August and September 2026, Navy Chaplain William Bevins received the Professional Naval Chaplaincy Excellence Award and the Father Vincent Capodanno Chaplain of the Year Award. Bevins, who serves at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia, was recognized for his clinical pastoral contributions.
Why it matters
The Navy selected Bevins to develop a new clinical pastoral education program due to his prior certification and extensive experience in education policy. This initiative provides critical training for the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps through a new hybrid instruction model.
Bevins has served as an ELCA Navy chaplain for nearly six years and has been in the ministry for one decade. He received two separate chaplaincy awards over the span of two months.
The players
William Bevins
He is a Navy chaplain serving at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth who previously worked in the Peace Corps and for the Fulbright Program.
The details
Bevins utilized his professional certification as a clinical pastoral education supervisor to design a training program that combines remote learning with residencies at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and Naval Medical Center San Diego. Before his military service, he worked as a classroom instructor in the Peace Corps and a curriculum director for the Fulbright Program.
Timeline
August 2026: Bevins received the Professional Naval Chaplaincy Excellence Award.
September 2026: Bevins received the Father Vincent Capodanno Chaplain of the Year Award.
Market Landscape
The development of a new training program for the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps represents a strategic shift in how military pastoral support is standardized across medical facilities. This effort positions the Navy to better integrate clinical expertise with spiritual guidance through modernized hybrid learning models.
Patients and staff at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth may see enhanced spiritual care services as the new training program takes effect. This standardized approach ensures that chaplains are equipped with the latest clinical skills for hospital-based support.
The takeaway
Effective leadership in military chaplaincy relies on blending diverse educational backgrounds with specific clinical certifications. These achievements reflect a broader trend toward utilizing experienced civilian educators to improve specialized military training programs.
Further reading
For more on the current state of professional development for military service members, visit our Military Jobs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Living Lutheran.
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