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INS Lecture 10 - The Value of Spirituality and Religion for Readiness in the Profession of Arms

2026-05-27 · 17:20 UTC ·U.S. Naval War College ·1 min read

Brief

INS Lecture 10 — The Value of Spirituality and Religion for Readiness in the Profession of Arms is a lecture by Capt. Paul Temblay (USN) that examines distinctions between spirituality and religion, presents the claim that 73% of active-duty members identify as people of faith, defines 'Spiritual Readiness' as strength of spirit enabling honorable mission accomplishment, and closes with real-world cases illustrating those claims.

Why it matters

73% of active-duty service members in the Department of War identify as people of faith, and the lecture asserts institutional support for spirituality and religion is essential to optimal force readiness.

Key details

  • Introduces 'Spiritual Readiness' as "the strength of spirit that enables the warfighter to accomplish the mission with honor," explains distinctions between spirituality and religion, and links their integration across the Services to moral resilience and mission accomplishment.
  • Lecture delivered by Capt. Paul Temblay (enlisted 1986, commissioned 1999, returned to active duty 2000) — served with 3d Marines, Carrier Air Wing TWO, USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7), III MEF, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and USNWC faculty; holds a BA in Theology, an MA in National Security & Strategic Studies (USNWC), a PhD in Practical Theology (Columbia International University), and has received two Legion of Merit awards, three Meritorious Service Medals, and a Combat Action Ribbon.
Source evidence

Link to self-certification form here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/MCLwLDVrej

INS Lecture 10 - The Value of Spirituality and Religion for Readiness in the Profession of Arms:

Close to 73% of active-duty military service members in the Department of War identify as people of faith. To ensure optimal force readiness, it is imperative that we understand how best to support this significant component of the warfighter.

This lecture introduces the personal and professional influence of spirituality and religion within the profession of arms. We consider the distinctions of spirituality and religion overall, how they are integrated among the Services, their unique contribution to readiness, and how they factor into the construct of Spiritual Readiness; that being the strength of spirit that enables the warfighter to accomplish the mission with honor. The lecture concludes with real-world examples of service members who lived out their beliefs in extremely dire circumstances.

Lecturer:
Captain Paul Temblay, a native of Sturbridge, Massachusetts, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1986 and served aboard several amphibious and fleet vessels before subsequent service in the California Army National Guard and Navy Reserve. He commissioned through the Navy Chaplain Candidate Program in 1999 and returned to active duty as a Navy Chaplain in 2000. Over the course of his career, he has served in a variety of operational, leadership, and pastoral assignments across the Navy, including tours with 3d Marines, Carrier Air Wing TWO, USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7), III Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and as Military Faculty at the U.S. Naval War College. He holds a BA in Theology from Christian Life College, several MAs including an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, and a PhD in Practical Theology from Columbia International University. His personal awards include two Legion of Merit awards, three Meritorious Service Medals, and the Combat Action Ribbon, among others.

Channel: U.S. Naval War College
Published: 2026-05-27
Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cerPbUC9KI