Army Chaplain Service
U.S. Army Chaplains serve both God and country by bringing their unique gifts with which they are endowed by God, to the Soldiers of our nation in the broad, challenging, diverse, and ever changing environment of the Army. While the benefits and pay of an Army Chaplain are often much better than what a minister normally receives, the requirements and stakes are much higher!
Army Chaplains are our nation’s Soldiers who minister to our nation’s sons and daughters, and their families. Like any Soldier, they must endure the hardships, separations, and deprivations of those whom they serve. Like any Minister, they must provide dynamic and genuine ministry with a shepherd’s heart.
Our nation’s sons and daughters need qualified, committed, and called men and women to serve as spiritual leaders to them in the fulfillment of their duty. Will you consider the call? The need has never been greater, the experience never so rich.
Qualified and sent by their religious bodies, trained by the U.S. Army, and led by the God that they serve, Army Chaplains are expected to exercise dynamic and influential spiritual leadership, without violating their faith or conscience. Army Chaplains are the ‘soul and conscience’ of our nation’s Army.
Whether leading worship, patrolling the motor pool, or visiting the hospital, Army Chaplains are always at the frontline of the Soldiers’ life. Additionally, Army Chaplains serve on a Commander’s special staff in order to ensure that their spiritual gifts and leadership are integrated in the daily exercise of command decisions.
The Army has a place for you if you have a place in your heart for Soldiers. We have both full-time and part-time positions. Many of these positions are right in your own backyard. We even have a place for you if you’re a ministerial
student.
Army Chaplain – 24/7 (Active Duty)
Ministry in motion. Adventure and challenge. Serving those who serve. You will accompany Soldiers all over the world as they carry out their missions. And while you minister to the Soldiers, you and your family will be enriched as you are exposed to new places, new peoples, and new cultures. Your faith will be enriched, challenged, and strengthened as you carry out your duties as the spiritual leader in the spiritual community known as the Army.
Army Chaplain – Civilian Minister – (Reserve Duty)
You’re already busy in the life of your faith community. You have a clear calling where you currently serve, but you want to serve your nation. Why not expand your ministry right where you are without moving and serve our nation’s Reserve and National Guard Soldiers? As a Reserve Chaplain, you’ll be a preacher, a teacher, a counselor and a Citizen-Soldier. You’ll serve the spiritual needs of the people in your community without leaving your current vocation.
Chaplain Requirements (These requirements are the same for clergy assigned to a State Defense Force Chaplain position)
You must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from your faith group. This endorsement should certify that you are:
• A clergy person in your denomination or faith group.
• Qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve as a Chaplain in the Army.
• Sensitive to religious pluralism and able to provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel, their
family members and civilians who work for the Army.
Educationally, you must:
• Possess a baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours.
• Possess a graduate degree in theological or religious studies, plus have earned at least a total of 72 semester hours in graduate work in these fields of study.
• Applicants for active duty or the National Guard MUST be U.S. citizens. Permanent residents can ONLY apply for the Army Reserve.
• Be able to receive a favorable National Agency Security Clearance.
• Pass a physical exam at one of our Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS).
• A inimum of two years of full-time professional experience, validated by the applicant’s endorsing agency (This requirement is not applicable to Army Reserve applicants).
• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment. No applicants are accepted at the age of 50 or above.
Applicants aged over 42 should contact a regional chaplain recruiter for the latest age waivers being granted for chaplains and chaplain candidates.
Join While Still Studying For The Ministry
You do not need to wait until ordination to join the Army Chaplaincy. You can train to become an Army Chaplain at the same time you are training for the ministry. The training and experience you will receive as a Chaplain Candidate will be a rich adjunct to your ministerial education and training. All Chaplain Candidates are commissioned officers assigned to the Army Reserve in the Staff Specialists Branch.
Should you decide to become an Army Chaplain, by participating in the Chaplain Candidate Program (CCP), you will have a head start on entering the Army as a Chaplain, as well as enjoying the many benefits and privileges associated with being an Army officer.
Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course
All Chaplain Candidates are encouraged to attend Chaplain Basic Officers Leadership Course (CBOLC). CBOLC is 12 weeks long and is offered twice a year (winter and summer). Normally a candidate does the first half of CBOLC (Chaplain Initial Military Training/CIMT and Phase 1) as soon as possible since it is a prerequisite for all other training in the CCP. It is not until the summer before their senior year that Chaplain Candidates can complete Phases II and
III. Candidates who enter the CCP as seniors in school may complete all of CBOLC at once if they plan on accessioning as a chaplain following graduation.
Paid Practicums
A Chaplain Candidate is authorized up to 45 days a year to train under the supervision of a senior chaplain at a military installation. This training, called a “practicum,” is offered to all candidates once they have completed the first part of CBOLC.
Practicums vary in type, to include Army Reserve Commands, Chaplaincy Recruiting, Garrison Ministries, Combat Ministries, Medical Training and Administrative Support. Some Candidates take advantage of the opportunity to earn their Parachutist Badge at Fort Benning and/or their Air Assault Badge at Fort Campbell. The most comprehensive training is one quarter of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) through the Medical Command involving 75 days.
Practicums, which may vary in length from a minimum of 12 days to a maximum of 45 days (except for Clinical Pastoral Education which is 75), may be done at most any time of the year.
Chaplain Candidate Requirements
To be eligible for this program, you must:
• Obtain an ecclesiastical approval from your denomination or faith group.
Educationally, you must:
• Possess a baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours (College seniors can apply before completion of their undergraduate program).
• Be a full-time graduate student at an accredited seminary or theological school.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be able to receive a favorable National Agency Security Clearance.
• Pass a physical exam at one of our Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS).
• Must be at least 18 years of age and not older than 40 years of age at time of appointment. Age waivers are available for applicants with prior military service to age 42.
While attending seminary, Chaplain Candidates may apply for tuition assistance through the U.S. Army Reserve. You may be eligible for up to 100% of the tuition costs, up to $250 per credit hour with a maximum cap of $4500 per year. This program requires service of at least four years in a U.S. Army Reserve unit once you become a qualified Chaplain.
Army Chaplains are our nation’s Soldiers who minister to our nation’s sons and daughters, and their families. Like any Soldier, they must endure the hardships, separations, and deprivations of those whom they serve. Like any Minister, they must provide dynamic and genuine ministry with a shepherd’s heart.
Our nation’s sons and daughters need qualified, committed, and called men and women to serve as spiritual leaders to them in the fulfillment of their duty. Will you consider the call? The need has never been greater, the experience never so rich.
Qualified and sent by their religious bodies, trained by the U.S. Army, and led by the God that they serve, Army Chaplains are expected to exercise dynamic and influential spiritual leadership, without violating their faith or conscience. Army Chaplains are the ‘soul and conscience’ of our nation’s Army.
Whether leading worship, patrolling the motor pool, or visiting the hospital, Army Chaplains are always at the frontline of the Soldiers’ life. Additionally, Army Chaplains serve on a Commander’s special staff in order to ensure that their spiritual gifts and leadership are integrated in the daily exercise of command decisions.
The Army has a place for you if you have a place in your heart for Soldiers. We have both full-time and part-time positions. Many of these positions are right in your own backyard. We even have a place for you if you’re a ministerial
student.
Army Chaplain – 24/7 (Active Duty)
Ministry in motion. Adventure and challenge. Serving those who serve. You will accompany Soldiers all over the world as they carry out their missions. And while you minister to the Soldiers, you and your family will be enriched as you are exposed to new places, new peoples, and new cultures. Your faith will be enriched, challenged, and strengthened as you carry out your duties as the spiritual leader in the spiritual community known as the Army.
Army Chaplain – Civilian Minister – (Reserve Duty)
You’re already busy in the life of your faith community. You have a clear calling where you currently serve, but you want to serve your nation. Why not expand your ministry right where you are without moving and serve our nation’s Reserve and National Guard Soldiers? As a Reserve Chaplain, you’ll be a preacher, a teacher, a counselor and a Citizen-Soldier. You’ll serve the spiritual needs of the people in your community without leaving your current vocation.
Chaplain Requirements (These requirements are the same for clergy assigned to a State Defense Force Chaplain position)
You must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from your faith group. This endorsement should certify that you are:
• A clergy person in your denomination or faith group.
• Qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve as a Chaplain in the Army.
• Sensitive to religious pluralism and able to provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel, their
family members and civilians who work for the Army.
Educationally, you must:
• Possess a baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours.
• Possess a graduate degree in theological or religious studies, plus have earned at least a total of 72 semester hours in graduate work in these fields of study.
• Applicants for active duty or the National Guard MUST be U.S. citizens. Permanent residents can ONLY apply for the Army Reserve.
• Be able to receive a favorable National Agency Security Clearance.
• Pass a physical exam at one of our Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS).
• A inimum of two years of full-time professional experience, validated by the applicant’s endorsing agency (This requirement is not applicable to Army Reserve applicants).
• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment. No applicants are accepted at the age of 50 or above.
Applicants aged over 42 should contact a regional chaplain recruiter for the latest age waivers being granted for chaplains and chaplain candidates.
Join While Still Studying For The Ministry
You do not need to wait until ordination to join the Army Chaplaincy. You can train to become an Army Chaplain at the same time you are training for the ministry. The training and experience you will receive as a Chaplain Candidate will be a rich adjunct to your ministerial education and training. All Chaplain Candidates are commissioned officers assigned to the Army Reserve in the Staff Specialists Branch.
Should you decide to become an Army Chaplain, by participating in the Chaplain Candidate Program (CCP), you will have a head start on entering the Army as a Chaplain, as well as enjoying the many benefits and privileges associated with being an Army officer.
Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course
All Chaplain Candidates are encouraged to attend Chaplain Basic Officers Leadership Course (CBOLC). CBOLC is 12 weeks long and is offered twice a year (winter and summer). Normally a candidate does the first half of CBOLC (Chaplain Initial Military Training/CIMT and Phase 1) as soon as possible since it is a prerequisite for all other training in the CCP. It is not until the summer before their senior year that Chaplain Candidates can complete Phases II and
III. Candidates who enter the CCP as seniors in school may complete all of CBOLC at once if they plan on accessioning as a chaplain following graduation.
Paid Practicums
A Chaplain Candidate is authorized up to 45 days a year to train under the supervision of a senior chaplain at a military installation. This training, called a “practicum,” is offered to all candidates once they have completed the first part of CBOLC.
Practicums vary in type, to include Army Reserve Commands, Chaplaincy Recruiting, Garrison Ministries, Combat Ministries, Medical Training and Administrative Support. Some Candidates take advantage of the opportunity to earn their Parachutist Badge at Fort Benning and/or their Air Assault Badge at Fort Campbell. The most comprehensive training is one quarter of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) through the Medical Command involving 75 days.
Practicums, which may vary in length from a minimum of 12 days to a maximum of 45 days (except for Clinical Pastoral Education which is 75), may be done at most any time of the year.
Chaplain Candidate Requirements
To be eligible for this program, you must:
• Obtain an ecclesiastical approval from your denomination or faith group.
Educationally, you must:
• Possess a baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours (College seniors can apply before completion of their undergraduate program).
• Be a full-time graduate student at an accredited seminary or theological school.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be able to receive a favorable National Agency Security Clearance.
• Pass a physical exam at one of our Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS).
• Must be at least 18 years of age and not older than 40 years of age at time of appointment. Age waivers are available for applicants with prior military service to age 42.
While attending seminary, Chaplain Candidates may apply for tuition assistance through the U.S. Army Reserve. You may be eligible for up to 100% of the tuition costs, up to $250 per credit hour with a maximum cap of $4500 per year. This program requires service of at least four years in a U.S. Army Reserve unit once you become a qualified Chaplain.