Air Force Chaplain Service
Becoming a Chaplain
Through an exciting and varied pastoral ministry, chaplains are the visible reminder of the holy. You are considering the most unique spiritual opportunity that is often more enhancing than one would ever expect.
Currently, there are over 500 active duty Air Force chaplains and nearly 600 in service with the Reserves and Air National Guard. Each chaplain is endorsed by his or her own religious group and remains faithful to the tenets of that body.
Chaplains also offer a broadly based ministry aimed at meeting the diverse
pastoral needs of the pluralistic military community. Active duty and Reserve
chaplains are responsible for supporting both directly and indirectly the free exercise of religion for all members of the Military Services, their dependents, and other authorized persons. (Referenced from DOD 1304.19)
Accession Guidance
Force shaping has a direct impact on chaplain accessions. The Chaplain Corps outlines force management chaplain personnel requirements, establishing a limited number of individuals that can be accessed each fiscal year. As a result, Air Force Recruiting Service must have in place flexible and time-sensitive procedures capable of responding to these critical personnel requirements.
Accession Process
1. Air Force Recruiting Service and Denominational Endorsers make every effort to discuss and coordinate on personnel requirements and perspective individual applicants prior to the completion of DD Form 2088. (Use form dated May 2006).
2. Upon the reception of the DD Form 2088, the applicant is screened to ensure that appropriate Chaplain Corps personnel management and accession requirements are met.
3. The appropriate Air Force Agencies review and ensure Air Force requirements are met; agency must recommend accession.
Accession Requirements
Ecclesiastical Endorsement, DD Form 2088 (May 2006).
United States Citizenship (No Dual Citizenship).
Academic Requirements
Baccalaureate degree with no fewer than 120 hours from an accredited institution.
Post-Baccalaureate degree in the field of theology or related studies from a qualifying graduate degree program with no less than 72 Semester Hours from an accredited institution.
Pastoral Ministry Requirement
Two years of religious leadership experience.
Age Requirement
Must enter active duty (EAD) prior to 42.
Grade Requirement
Commissioned officers must be the grade of Captain (0-3) and below.
AF Commissioning Requirements
Be within AF height and weight standards.
Meet qualifying standards for a Commissioning physical.
Pass Background Security Investigation.
Satisfy all appropriate commissioning requirements.
To be a Reserve Chaplain, you must:
Be a United States citizen, dual citizenship is not accepted.
Possess baccalaureate degree with not less than 120 semester hours of undergraduate credit from an accredited college or university.
Masters Degree in Theology or related subjects (not less than 72 semester hrs) from an accredited institution.
Possess an ecclesiastical endorsement from a recognized denomination or faith group (targeted Air Force needs determine priority of placement).
Be qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve Air Force personnel.
Be less than 40 years of age at the time of appointment . Waiver requests are considered.
Pass the Air Force physical examination, and meet weight standards.
Pass a National Agency Check security background check and qualify for a security clearance.
Be available for the minimum required training.
Be available to attend the five-week Commissioned Officer Training and the six-week Basic Chaplain Course
within the first two years in the program.
Be sensitive to religious diversity and provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel, their dependents, and other authorized personnel the military services serves.
Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program
The Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program is an exciting opportunity for seminary and other professional religious school students to evaluate their compatibility and potential for commissioning as an Air Force Chaplain. The focus is on experiencing ministry in the Air Force during summer tours of active duty. As a chaplain candidate you will draw upon your background, education and experience to function as part of an Air Force chapel team. Upon entering the program you will be commissioned as a chaplain candidate, Second Lieutenant. When you graduate and are endorsed by your religious body, you will be eligible for reappointment as a Chaplain, First Lieutenant, in the USAF Reserve.
Requirements
You must be a citizen of the United States, dual citizenship is not accepted.
You must be less than 35 years of age at the time of appointment. (Allow six months for processing)
Possess baccalaureate degree with not less than 120 semester hours of undergraduate credit from an accredited college or university.
Obtain ecclesiastical approval from your religious body’s military endorser. (Your ecclesiastical approval must reach our office by 30 November to ensure training the following summer.)
Apply when enrolled full time in seminary. Must be eligible to train at least two summers, and it may include the summer following graduation. Enrollment must be in an accredited or recognized theological seminary or professional school of religion.
You must be working toward a professional religious degree such as the master of divinity or its equivalent.
Be able to complete approximately 100 days of active duty training during at least two summer vacation periods prior to graduation, or within 90 days following graduation from seminary
Meet all military medical requirements and weight standards
Pass a National Security Agency check on your personal history and background and qualify for a security clearance
No drug abuse or criminal record
The program
Approximately 100 days of active duty service over two summers
Must be completed in two or three years depending on seminary time remaining.
Only one summer may be directly after seminary graduation
The benefits
Supervised ministry experience (with seminary approval)
A diverse ministry setting
Supplement/Expand/Enrich your ministerial education
Support the defense of our freedom
Government funded resource support
Possibility of moving into the Reserve or Active Duty Chaplaincy
Second Lieutenant pay and benefits
Travel to and from all active duty training tours is paid by the government.
Tuition Assistance
The Air Force currently offers $4,500 seminary tuition assistance per year after your first summer of training. For more information about tuition assistance please call 1 (800) 525-0102 and ask for the Military Training Division.
Scholarships
The Military Chaplains Association annually awards four $2,000 scholarships for Chaplain Candidates of the military services. If you would like to request an application for the scholarship you may write:
Military Chaplains Association
PO Box 42660
Washington DC 20015-0660
Through an exciting and varied pastoral ministry, chaplains are the visible reminder of the holy. You are considering the most unique spiritual opportunity that is often more enhancing than one would ever expect.
Currently, there are over 500 active duty Air Force chaplains and nearly 600 in service with the Reserves and Air National Guard. Each chaplain is endorsed by his or her own religious group and remains faithful to the tenets of that body.
Chaplains also offer a broadly based ministry aimed at meeting the diverse
pastoral needs of the pluralistic military community. Active duty and Reserve
chaplains are responsible for supporting both directly and indirectly the free exercise of religion for all members of the Military Services, their dependents, and other authorized persons. (Referenced from DOD 1304.19)
Accession Guidance
Force shaping has a direct impact on chaplain accessions. The Chaplain Corps outlines force management chaplain personnel requirements, establishing a limited number of individuals that can be accessed each fiscal year. As a result, Air Force Recruiting Service must have in place flexible and time-sensitive procedures capable of responding to these critical personnel requirements.
Accession Process
1. Air Force Recruiting Service and Denominational Endorsers make every effort to discuss and coordinate on personnel requirements and perspective individual applicants prior to the completion of DD Form 2088. (Use form dated May 2006).
2. Upon the reception of the DD Form 2088, the applicant is screened to ensure that appropriate Chaplain Corps personnel management and accession requirements are met.
3. The appropriate Air Force Agencies review and ensure Air Force requirements are met; agency must recommend accession.
Accession Requirements
Ecclesiastical Endorsement, DD Form 2088 (May 2006).
United States Citizenship (No Dual Citizenship).
Academic Requirements
Baccalaureate degree with no fewer than 120 hours from an accredited institution.
Post-Baccalaureate degree in the field of theology or related studies from a qualifying graduate degree program with no less than 72 Semester Hours from an accredited institution.
Pastoral Ministry Requirement
Two years of religious leadership experience.
Age Requirement
Must enter active duty (EAD) prior to 42.
Grade Requirement
Commissioned officers must be the grade of Captain (0-3) and below.
AF Commissioning Requirements
Be within AF height and weight standards.
Meet qualifying standards for a Commissioning physical.
Pass Background Security Investigation.
Satisfy all appropriate commissioning requirements.
To be a Reserve Chaplain, you must:
Be a United States citizen, dual citizenship is not accepted.
Possess baccalaureate degree with not less than 120 semester hours of undergraduate credit from an accredited college or university.
Masters Degree in Theology or related subjects (not less than 72 semester hrs) from an accredited institution.
Possess an ecclesiastical endorsement from a recognized denomination or faith group (targeted Air Force needs determine priority of placement).
Be qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve Air Force personnel.
Be less than 40 years of age at the time of appointment . Waiver requests are considered.
Pass the Air Force physical examination, and meet weight standards.
Pass a National Agency Check security background check and qualify for a security clearance.
Be available for the minimum required training.
Be available to attend the five-week Commissioned Officer Training and the six-week Basic Chaplain Course
within the first two years in the program.
Be sensitive to religious diversity and provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel, their dependents, and other authorized personnel the military services serves.
Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program
The Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program is an exciting opportunity for seminary and other professional religious school students to evaluate their compatibility and potential for commissioning as an Air Force Chaplain. The focus is on experiencing ministry in the Air Force during summer tours of active duty. As a chaplain candidate you will draw upon your background, education and experience to function as part of an Air Force chapel team. Upon entering the program you will be commissioned as a chaplain candidate, Second Lieutenant. When you graduate and are endorsed by your religious body, you will be eligible for reappointment as a Chaplain, First Lieutenant, in the USAF Reserve.
Requirements
You must be a citizen of the United States, dual citizenship is not accepted.
You must be less than 35 years of age at the time of appointment. (Allow six months for processing)
Possess baccalaureate degree with not less than 120 semester hours of undergraduate credit from an accredited college or university.
Obtain ecclesiastical approval from your religious body’s military endorser. (Your ecclesiastical approval must reach our office by 30 November to ensure training the following summer.)
Apply when enrolled full time in seminary. Must be eligible to train at least two summers, and it may include the summer following graduation. Enrollment must be in an accredited or recognized theological seminary or professional school of religion.
You must be working toward a professional religious degree such as the master of divinity or its equivalent.
Be able to complete approximately 100 days of active duty training during at least two summer vacation periods prior to graduation, or within 90 days following graduation from seminary
Meet all military medical requirements and weight standards
Pass a National Security Agency check on your personal history and background and qualify for a security clearance
No drug abuse or criminal record
The program
Approximately 100 days of active duty service over two summers
Must be completed in two or three years depending on seminary time remaining.
Only one summer may be directly after seminary graduation
The benefits
Supervised ministry experience (with seminary approval)
A diverse ministry setting
Supplement/Expand/Enrich your ministerial education
Support the defense of our freedom
Government funded resource support
Possibility of moving into the Reserve or Active Duty Chaplaincy
Second Lieutenant pay and benefits
Travel to and from all active duty training tours is paid by the government.
Tuition Assistance
The Air Force currently offers $4,500 seminary tuition assistance per year after your first summer of training. For more information about tuition assistance please call 1 (800) 525-0102 and ask for the Military Training Division.
Scholarships
The Military Chaplains Association annually awards four $2,000 scholarships for Chaplain Candidates of the military services. If you would like to request an application for the scholarship you may write:
Military Chaplains Association
PO Box 42660
Washington DC 20015-0660