LCDR Benjamin J. Shear 1MCD Chaplain Phone: (516) 228 - 5606
Benjamin.Shear@marines.usmc.mil
Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Shear, a native of Lawrence, KS, was commissioned in December, 2011 through the chaplain candidate program, and he entered active duty in 2013 after serving 8 years in civilian pastoral ministry. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas and received a Masters of Biblical Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary, in Orlando, FL. He is a D.Min doctoral candidate at Erskine Theological Seminary, in Due West, SC.
Shear’s first assignment was to Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia where he served as the command chaplain. While there he deployed to SOUTHCOM aboard USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) in support of Continuing Promise 2015. In 2016 he was assigned to 3rd Marine Air Wing, Yuma, Arizona. While there, he served as the Deputy Group Chaplain for Marine Aircraft Group 13. In 2016 he deployed as the Air Combat Element chaplain for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In 2018 he was assigned to Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing, Point Mugu, California and served as the command chaplain. He currently serves as the chaplain for 1st Marine Corps District, Garden City, New York.
Chaplain Shear was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in September of 2022.
Shear is a qualified Fleet Marine Force Officer and is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America. His personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.