As part of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Department of the Navy, the CHC is dual-hatted as the Director of Religious Ministries (N097) under OPNAV.
[1][2] In these capacities, the CHC is the principal advisor to the secretary of the Navy, the chief of naval operations and, where appropriate, the commandant of the Marine Corps and commandant of the Coast Guard "on all matters pertaining to religion within the Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard.
[4] The position was created in 1917 to "provide a system of appointing qualified and professional chaplains that meet the needs of the Navy".
[4] The current CHC is Rear Admiral Gregory N. Todd, a Lutheran, who assumed office on May 16, 2022.
Five former Chiefs of Chaplains were present at the dedication ceremony, including Barry C. Black, Alvin B. Koeneman, Neil M. Stevenson, Ross H. Trower, and David F.