The Navy chaplains were getting toughening-up training, too. At Virginia's College of William & Mary (Williamsburg) they hiked, worked in the gymnasium between classes. At the course's climax they dived through burning oil in the swimming pool, pushed ahead under water, came up with arms thrashing, finally made it into flame-free water and clambered out. For men who had just left school or pastorate, it was a rugged business.
Up to 16 months ago the Navy's few chaplains (there were only 96 in 1939) got only haphazard training. A new chaplain simply worked under a veteran, picked up the knack from him....
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