Lieutenant Commander James C. Ragain, CHC, USN
Lieutenant Commander James (Jason) C. Ragain, III is the son of a Navy dentist and a native of La Follette, Tennessee. He superseded onto active duty from the Chaplain Candidate program in 2009, following graduate studies and three years of ministerial experience at Faith Church of Grayslake, Grayslake, Illinois. Ragain holds a bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Masters of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. He is endorsed by Converge (formerly known as the Baptist General Conference).
Ragain’s first assignment was with the 2nd Marine Air Wing at Cherry Point, North Carolina where he served as staff chaplain with Marine Air Group 14. In 2011, he deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, with 2nd Marine Air Wing (Forward) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2012, Ragain reported to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii where he served as Deputy Command Chaplain and Protestant chapel pastor. In 2014, he was selected to be the Flag Aide to the Chief of Chaplains and served in this capacity for three years. In 2018, Ragain reported as supervisory chaplain for COMDESRON ONE in San Diego, California. During this assignment, he deployed with the USS CARL VINSON, USS DEWEY, USS MICHAEL MURPHY, and USS STERETT in support of operations in THIRD, FOURTH, and SEVENTH Fleets. In July 2020, he reported to the First Coast Guard District as District chaplain.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star.
He is married to his wife Michelle and they have three daughters, Ashley, Beth, and Kate.