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If you are considering
applying for an appointment as a military chaplain,
you are considering one of the most unique spiritual
opportunities for ministry available anywhere.
Military chaplains offer a broadly based
ministry aimed at meeting the diverse pastoral needs
of the pluralistic military community. All chaplains
are responsible for supporting both directly and indirectly
the Constitutionally mandated free exercise of religion
for all members of the Military Services, their family
members, and other authorized persons. (Referenced from
Department of Defense Directive 1304.19) Every Active
Duty, Guard, Reserve or Civil Air Patrol Chaplain is
required to receive an ecclesiastical endorsement from
his or her own religious organization, no matter which
branch of military service is desired. Each chaplain
is expected to remain faithful to the tenets of the
religious group granting one’s ecclesiastical
endorsement. Selection to become a chaplain is competitive
and based on the needs of the particular Service Branch
to which a person applies.The basic requirements to
become an Active Duty, Reserve, Guard or Civil Air Patrol
Chaplain include:
- Ecclesiastical endorsement (certifies
experience and degree requirements meet the standards
of the respective ecclesiastical group)
- Two years religious leadership consistent
with clergy in applicant’s tradition (strongly
recommended)
- United States citizenship (No dual
citizenship)
- Bachelor’s degree (120 semester
hours or 180 quarter hours)
- A graduate degree to include a minimum
of 72 semester hours (or equivalent) from a qualifying
(accredited) institution. Not less than 36 hours must
be in theological/ministry and related studies, consistent
with the respective religious tradition of the applicant.
Endorsers are free to exceed the DoD standard per
ecclesiastical requirements, but cannot go below the
minimal DoD requirements, e.g. many endorsers specifically
require the Master of Divinity degree
- Active Duty Chaplains:
- Army: Commissioned prior to age 40
(Age waiver availability may vary from year to year)
- Air Force and Navy: Commissioned
and on active duty by age 42 (Some consideration may
be made for prior service)
- Pass a military commissioning physical
- Pass a security background investigation
- Ability to work in the DoD directed
religious accommodation environment.
All chaplains are expected to adhere
to NCMAF’s
Covenant and The Code of Ethics for Chaplains of the
Armed Forces (Click on underlined text to take you to
the Code of Ethics.
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