Name: Sunny Mitchell

Age: God knows, really.

Rank: Lieutenant

Avocation: Ballroom dancing and martial arts

(Day job: Navy chaplain, Sasebo Navy Base, Japan)

What led to you becoming a Navy chaplain?

I had a calling to be a minister but it was after the bombing of the USS Cole that I realized I wanted to be a Navy chaplain.

What about you might surprise most people?

I love ballroom dancing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

How does studying a martial art fit with being a chaplain?

I’ve done it on and off for most of my adult life. I started fighting in the jiu-jitsu club in college after watching the first UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). When I moved to Atlanta for graduate school, I started training with a well-respected Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor. While in seminary and the few chances I’ve had to train in Sasebo, I use the mat time to release the day’s frustrations.

Of what does most of your chaplain’s work consist?

A lot of talking with and encouraging our sailors and helping them with any difficulties they might be having.

Being a female chaplain: Help, hindrance or neither?

Neither. There will always be chaplains to whom sailors can relate better than others.

Being a younger chaplain: Help, hindrance or neither?

Both. There will always an age-related niche into which all people fit. This niche changes as we grow older, and I’d be scared if it didn’t.

How has studying jiu-jitsu affected other areas of your life?

As a female, I’m more aware of safety situations. I try not to put myself in situations where I could subject myself to being harmed.

What’s the biggest misconception most sailors have about chaplains?

I don’t think there is one. If you’ve been in the Navy long enough, you will meet all kinds of chaplains who contribute to each individual’s idea of what a chaplain should be.

What’s the difference between Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other main jiu-jitsu schools, such as Gracie?

The Ultimate Fighting Championships made the Gracie family a household name. They have achieved an excellence in the Gracie style of Brazilian jiu-jitsu that very few people have attained. There are many other incredible Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructors out there that have very effective techniques. Both of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructors with whom I’ve trained received their belts from two different Gracie family members.

What level or belt have you attained?

Blue Belt.

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, doing whatever you wished, where would you be and what would you be doing?

I love my job and could not think anything I would rather be doing (except for maybe the occasional trips to the beach).

What do you hope is next?

A tour with the Marines...oo-ra!

Know someone whose accomplishments, talents, job, hobby, volunteer work, awards or good deeds qualify them for 15 minutes of fame? How about someone whose claim to glory is a bit out of the ordinary — even, dare we say, oddball? Call Sharen Johnson at Stars and Stripes with the person’s name and contact information at DSN 229-3305 or e-mail her at johnsons@pstripes.osd.mil.

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