Meet the Command Chaplain

LCDR Ronald S. Wade JR.
Chaplain Corps, USN

Lieutenant Commander Wade, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in 1993, graduated from Regent University with a Master of Divinity in Practical Theology in 2013, and was commissioned a Lieutenant Junior Grade through the Navy Chaplain Candidate Program in 2015. He is also currently studying at Vanderbilt University, earning a Doctor of Ministry in Integrative Chaplaincy.

Afloat and afield, Chaplain Wade has served as Ship Chaplain aboard USS Spruance (DDG 111) in support of bilateral and dual carrier operations in the East China Sea. He has served as Squadron Chaplain of Marine Wing Support Squadron 271, where he deployed for Operation Trident Juncture 18 as the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) Chaplain in support of both U.S. and NATO commands at Vaernes, Norway, Area One Camp. Within Special Operations Command (SOCOM), he has served as Command Deputy and Tactical Chaplain for Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), where he was hand-selected to augment multiple Joint Task Forces (JTFs) supporting the National Mission Force and multinational partners in Overseas Contingency Operations. He has also served as Command and Group Chaplain for Naval Special Warfare Group FOUR (NSWG4), where he provided direct and indirect religious support for exercises and operations conducted across the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) enterprise in EUCOM, CENTCOM, and INDOPACOM.

Ashore, he has served as Command Chaplain for both Naval Hospital Beaufort and Naval Support Facility Beaufort, South Carolina. As Department Head for Pastoral Care Services, he provided ministry that promoted the emotional and spiritual well-being of all active duty personnel, their dependents, the staff, and local retired military personnel, a total population of approximately 35,000 beneficiaries.

Chaplain Wade is currently serving as Command Chaplain, senior spiritual advisor, and command religious program department head for the United States Coast Guard Training Center at Petaluma, California (TRACEN Petaluma). He provides support in the development of the mental, moral, and spiritual resilience of 550 permanent party members and 3,000 students annually. Responsible for the supervision of three auxiliary chaplains and one civilian staff member and provides religious ministry oversight, counseling services, and advice to the Commanding Officer on issues of ethics, morale, spiritual readiness, and religious accommodation.

Chaplain Wade’s personal decorations include a Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, a Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, multiple unit and service awards, and (AQD) designations for Board Certified Chaplain (531), Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer (55F), Surface Chaplain Officer (LA6), Naval Special Warfare Experience (QK1), and Naval Command and Staff Joint Professional Military Education Phase One (JS7).