Columbia, South Carolina - Chaplain of the Marine Corps Rear Adm. Brent Scott welcomed 20 new chaplains into the Chaplain Corps as they graduated from the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center November 19.

Addressing the students, Scott revealed to them that they are taking on a significant responsibility of providing "courageous care" as military chaplains.

"At the battle at Belleau Wood where the Marines earned the name teufel hunden, meaning Devil Dogs, a Navy dentist displayed courageous care and received the Medal of Honor," said Scott.

He reminded the graduating chaplains that their role as chaplains is that of "touching humanity with a purpose that is greater than yourself, with someone who is greater than yourself."

During the graduation ceremony, Lt. Mark McCraney was named as the recipient of the Stanley Beach Leadership Award for exhibiting exceptional potential for leadership in ministry. The award is named for retired Navy chaplain Capt. Stanley Beach who served with the Marine Corps during Vietnam. He sustained severe leg and stomach injuries while ministering to wounded Marines, carrying them to aid stations.

Capt. Mark W. Smith, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center's commanding officer, commented on the training students receive during the ceremony.

"These religious ministry professionals have now become U.S. Navy chaplains, and have been launched on a journey of lifelong commitment to professional curiosity in honor of their calling," said Smith. "They are ready to go over the horizon in support of the spiritual wholeness of Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who go down to the sea, or sand, in support of our nation's interests; joining the long maritime heritage of proud accomplishments of the United States Navy."