Naval Order of the United States
New York Commandery

Welcome to the New York Commandery of the Naval Order of the United States. The New York Commandery hosts a number of educational and social events throughout the year, and builds comradery between its companions in support of the naval services. Membership in the Naval Order is by invitation only. If you have an interest, join us at one of our events.

To encourage research and writing on naval and maritime subjects, preserve documents, portraits and other records of prominent figures deeds and memories of our naval and maritime history, and through fellowship of our members advance the Naval Order's unselfish service and worthy aims for the security and enduring well-being of our country. To foster, among all American citizens, informed interest in the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine, with the understanding that their efficiency is essential to national security and that readiness to make victory in war certain and speedy will deter aggression and minimize dangers to world peace.  

Guest of Honor

Chaplain Corps, United States Navy 

THE CHART HOUSE

Lincoln Harbor, Pier D-T

1700 Harbor Blvd.

Weehawken, New Jersey

Cocktail Party with Heavy Hors d’Oeuvres

Business Dress Casual – Tie Optional

Born in Atlanta, GA in 1968, Chaplain Sears grew up in Dallas Texas from ages 4 - 22. He joined the Navy Chaplain Corps as a chaplain in 2002. He has served 10 months with the United States Coast Guard as a reserve chaplain, 11 months on active duty with the United States Navy as head of the Chaplain Candidate Program, and the majority of his remaining time as a chaplain with the United States Marine Corps, both at home and abroad in Operation Enduring Freedom (2003), Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004), and Operation Continuing Promise (2010).

Chaplain Sears holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Baylor University (1990), Waco, TX. Chaplain Sears holds a Master of Divinity (1994) and a Master of Arts in Education (1995) from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ. Chaplain Sears was ordained in 1995 in Dallas, TX by Grace Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Chaplain Sears then served churches in Thomasville, GA, Valdosta, GA, and Houston, TX. Chaplain Sears graduated from Officer Development School/Naval Chaplain School in Newport, RI, and received his Naval Commission in 2002. He reported as Command Chaplain to the 4th Landing Support Battalion Marine Corps Reserves in Wilmington, NC, Charleston, SC, and Savannah, GA. Chaplain Sears mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in February of 2003. In January 2004, Chaplain Sears mobilized as Command Chaplain to Combat Service Support Battalion 7 in Al Asad, Iraq. In March 2005, he reported to Sector Jacksonville, United States Coast Guard as a reserve chaplain. In October of 2006, Chaplain Sears was mobilized to head up the Navy Chaplain Candidate Program for aspiring chaplains. In 2009, he was selected as one of two chaplains to be a controlled grade accession to active duty; he then served with Marine Air Group 14, Cherry Point, NC, covering 8 squadrons, and was deployed as part of Operation Continuing Promise (2010).  In 2011, he served as the Regimental Chaplain for Marine Corps Recruit Training Parris Island. In 2013, he became Command Chaplain for 6th Marine Corps Recruiting District as part of a pilot program covering 7 states and Puerto Rico. In 2014, he became the first chaplain for 1st Marine Corps Recruiting District in Garden City, NY covering 10 states in the Northeast. Chaplain Sears now serves as the Command Chaplain with the United States Coast Guard for Sector New York and Sector Long Island Sound.

His personal awards include the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy/ Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and other various service and unit awards.

He is married to the former Megan Cone of Thomasville, GA. Chaplain and Mrs. Sears have been married 6.5 years and have three children: Claire (17), Robert (16) (from Chaps’s first marriage), and Jack (15 months).