Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Kenneth Robinson | Lt. Mark Dieter (left), Chaplain assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 17,...... read more read more
By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kenneth W. Robinson
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 17
AL ASAD, Iraq -- Day to day, Mark G. Dieter oversees a congregation located in the small, quiet town of Lancaster, Wisconsin, but recently he was activated by the United States Navy to serve a tour of duty in Iraq, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 17.
The tall and slender, quiet spoken chaplain, who loves to play guitar and is an avid photographer, has lifted the sprits of countless Seabees within the command. Dieter, affectionately known as "Chaps," was recently presented the National Bible Association's Witherspoon Chaplain's Award by Capt. Robert A. Mclean, Commodore of the Twenty Second Naval Construction Regiment, for his outstanding service to his country and his fellow Seabees.
Chaplain Dieter was nominated for the award for his creative delivery of lessons from the Old and New Testaments, as well as the Qur'an during morning command staff meetings. He was recognized for his imaginative use of scripture which flowed into diverse lessons on topics as wide ranging as Islamic, Jewish, and Christian history, cultural history, current intelligence reports concerning al-Qaida in Iraq, and Jayash al –Mahdi, and literary references. He is also a Ph.D. candidate in art history and religion at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Chaplain Dieter graduated Cum Laude from Coe College in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in art history and education. He attended Drake University Law School in 1992 and received a call to ministry in 1993. He graduated with a Master of Divinity from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in 1996, and was ordained by the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. He completed a Doctor of Ministry in 2002 in leadership and culture from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed a Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies in 2003. Chaplain Dieter was commissioned in November 1999, and attended Chaplains School at Newport, Rhode Island, in January 2000 and was assigned to NMCB 17.
"The privilege of serving in the United States Navy continues to be one of my greatest life experiences. Deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom is an ongoing adventure filled with great people and awesome Seabee accomplishments! The inspiring Seabee tradition established in World War II is certainly alive and well in the 21st century," said Dieter.
"The Witherspoon Award is a reflection of serving a command that values chaplaincy in a combat environment. NMCB 17 maintains an active interest in religious and cultural history as a significant aspect of operational awareness. Support for using Scripture as a springboard to explore culture and history relevant to operations has been exceptional!"
Although he has earned all the accolades, Chaplain Dieter keeps a very approachable, likeable quality about himself.
"I enjoy working for him," says religious program specialist Petty Officer 3rd Class Manuel Leal. "He is one of the best Chaplains I have had the honor to serve with. There is a fine line between rank and religion, and Chaps walks that line very well. I'm glad to see Chaps receive an award. I think his commitment to his faith and to his fellow Seabees shows in his character, even under trying times."
| Date Taken: | 06.04.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2008 12:37 |
| Story ID: | 20314 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 283 |
| Downloads: | 129 |
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