While some are called to serve God, others are called to serve their country. Those who serve both are known as Army Chaplains. It’s a calling that brings with it some very special responsibilities. The Army Chaplaincy offers Ministers, Priests, Imams and Rabbis the unique opportunity to guide Soldiers and their families through life’s triumphs and tragedies. They are involved in the Soldier’s “Circle of Life,” from births and baptisms, to confirmations and marriage, to illness and last rites. Every day, Army Chaplains positively affect the lives of Soldiers and their families.
Answer the call either full time in Active Duty or part time in the Army Reserve—and as an Army Chaplain, you’ll enter the service as an Officer. You’ll also attend the Chaplain Officer Basic Course (CHOBC). This is an orientation course where new Chaplains and candidates learn the fundamental military tasks and common skills necessary for all Soldiers as well as how to effectively perform religious support duties in a military environment. However, unlike other Officers, Chaplains do not train with or use weapons.
The Army Chaplaincy is broader than a typical civilian ministry because Chaplains have the unique opportunity to connect Soldiers and family members to God on a daily basis. As a spiritual leader, you’ll be helping young men and women become effective Soldiers in body, mind and spirit.
The U.S. Army Chaplain Corps. Bringing God closer to the Soldier and the Soldier closer to God.
Requirements – Full Time
You will serve in the active Army, with an initial duty of three years.
Requirements – Part Time
Serving in the Army Reserve means you’ll still have a civilian job, but you’ll train each month close to home and complete a two-week training exercise once a year. This way you will be trained and ready if called. And, of course, you’ll be able to bring invaluable experience back to your civilian ministry.
Chaplain Requirements
- 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 minimum 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.
