Chaplain Sharon Wheaton Helps U.S. Navy Couples Learn Skills to Navigate Trying Times
Summary
As a chaplain at Naval Station Norfolk, the worlds largest Naval Station, Lt. Sharon Wheaton helps military families find the strength and skills needed to navigate stressful lives. Chaplain Wheaton completed PAIRS Professional Training at the Hampton VA Medical Center in September to bring evidence-based, relationship skills classes to the Sailors, Marines and Coasties she serves.
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“If I can help somebody, as I walk along, if I can teach somebody the difference between right and wrong, if I can do my duties as a Christian should; then my living shall not be in vain!”
~ US Navy Chaplain Sharon Wheaton’s favorite quote
Lt. Sharon Wheaton, a US Navy Chaplain based at Naval Station Norfolk, serves the spiritual needs of the exceptional men and women of the US Navy. Naval Station Norfolk houses the largest concentration of U.S. Navy forces in the world. The Naval Station’s Chaplains are often called upon to help families navigate the stress and challenges of military life. Chaplain Wheaton completed the four-day PAIRS Professional Training at the Hampton VA Medical Center in September to bring evidence-based relationships skills training to the Sailors, Marines and Coasties she serves.
Outside of work, Chaplain Wheaton enjoys walking, jogging, jet skiing, and singing Christian worship songs. She hopes to take up horse back riding and also remarry one day to, in her words, “a man who has received PAIRS training and is willing to go all of the way!!!”
What led you to want to teach relationship and marriage education?
As a Chaplain in the US Navy, I felt [PAIRS] would be very useful when working with Sailors, Marines and Coasties as we lead very stressful lives spending a lot of time away from those we love.
What are some of the reasons you’ve found marriage and relationship education is particuarly important for active-duty military, Guard, Reserve and/or Veterans?
As stated earlier, we live stressful lives that include deployments. With the constant change in military families lives, this great program [PAIRS] will give, in particular, struggling couples the strength needed to survive those trying times.
What inspires your passion for helping relationships?
My relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ coupled with the fact that I went through a divorce (17 years ago) – inspires me to want to help others to succeed in their marriages.
What are some of the challenges you’ve found people are better equipped to overcome in their lives as a result of Marriage and Relationship Education?
People will be able to communicate better when challenges arise.
How has your work in this field touched your own life?
As human beings, if we do not use what we have learned, we are more prone to allow it to remain dormant. When sharing PAIRS with others, it reinforces what I have learned about myself, which in turn allows me an opportunity to treat others well.
What three qualities would you like to be most admired for by your family and friends?
Loyalty, lovely (inner as well as outer beauty), and a woman who loves the Lord Jesus Christ.
Contact Information:
| Name: | Sharon Wheaton | |
| Job Title: | US Navy Chaplain | |
| Company Name: | US Navy – Department of Defense | |
| Work Phone: | 757-444-6051 | |
| Email Address: | Click to Email | |
| Address: | 1530 Gilbert Street BLDG – C7 Norfolk, VA 23532 |