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It's something he had thought about for a long time.  Dr. Tim Roberts, known to most as the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Lincolnton, told us he had considered a military relationship for several years.

"My father was a bombardier on a B-17 during World War II.  While I was a paramadic and a firefighter, I had thought about possibly becoming a military chaplain.  He has actually served as a volunteer chaplain with the Coast Guard for nearly two years.

On Sunday afternoon, he took the oath to become a Navy chaplain at a Commissioning service at First United Methodist Church.  Navy chaplains serve the US Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

Rev. Roberts will complete a 12-week officers training/chaplain school; then he will be reporting to duty two days a month. "The suicide rate and depression is extremely high among those in service, so this is an important ministry to protect our troops."

Dr. Roberts hasn't yet been assigned a rank.  "It may be O2 (lieutenant) or O3 (captain).  I suspect that O2 is more likely."

{Correction: I am told by a Navy veteran that O3 is First Lieutenant and O2 is Lt. Junior Grade.  I made it clear in my conversation with Dr. Roberts that I didn't know Navy ranks.  I looked it up on Google, but apparently info they gave was wrong.}

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