EAST HAMPTON – The Rev. Dr. Benjamin Shambaugh, rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, has been appointed Branch Chief of the Atlantic Area East (LANTEAST) in the Coast Guard’s Auxiliary Chaplain Support (ACS) program. Starting January 1, Chaplain Shambaugh will oversee volunteer chaplains who provide spiritual care to Coast Guard members and their families across the Atlantic region, from Canada to the Caribbean, as well as Europe and other international locations.
The ACS program, comprised of more than 100 volunteer chaplains, supports the Coast Guard’s 43,000 active-duty members, 8,000 reservists, and 30,000 auxiliarists. Unlike active-duty chaplains, ACS chaplains are civilian volunteers—many active or retired clergy—who serve part-time. With no age or physical fitness requirements, the program allows clergy of various faiths to contribute to the Coast Guard’s mission, providing specialized support in areas such as suicide prevention, spiritual resilience, and critical incident stress management.
Shambaugh brings a wealth of experience to his new role. As an ACS chaplain for Sector Long Island Sound, he has offered pastoral care to Coast Guard stations near his home. His previous leadership roles include Branch Chief for District One South, overseeing chaplains in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and Branch Assistant for District One, headquartered in Boston.
In his new role, Shambaugh will join two other Branch Chiefs—representing Atlantic Area West and Pacific Area—to lead ACS chaplains serving Coast Guard personnel nationwide.
Although ACS chaplains are not commissioned officers, Chaplain “Chaps” Shambaugh holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander and wears several commendations, including two Commendation Medals and the Humanitarian, Operations, and Sustained Service awards. His service has taken him on deployments with the Coast Guard Cutter VIGOROUS on an anti-narcotics mission through the Panama Canal and the Caribbean, and the Cutter VALIANT for migrant operations off Florida. Additionally, he has served aboard the Barque EAGLE, training Coast Guard cadets, and participated in icebreaking and fisheries management missions.
For more information about the ACS program, Chaplain Shambaugh can be reached at 207-400-7516 or shambaugh04103@gmail.com. Alternatively, inquiries can be directed to the Rt. Rev. Ann M. Ritonia, Bishop Suffragan for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries of the Episcopal Church, at 202-459-9998 or aritonia@episcopalchurch.org.