How do I Become a National Guard Chaplain in Tennessee or Mississippi?

Chaplains of many faiths serve in the Army and Air National Guard.

The Mississippi National Guard Bureau oversees 93 Army National Guard armories, three Air National Guard wings and an additional three Air National Guard Geographically-Separated Units. The Tennessee Military Department oversees four Army National Guard Major Commands of more than 2,000 uniformed soldiers, two Air National Guard wings and an additional four GSUs. Each of these units and each armory hosts at least one chaplain, with several chaplains at each wing and Major Command level. As a result, the National Guard's Chaplain Corps is always recruiting qualified chaplain candidates of all faiths to minister to the spiritual needs of soldiers and airmen.

Instructions

1. Complete your bachelor's degree in the discipline of your choice. You can complete your degree as a civilian, while serving in an active, Guard or Reserve component of the military as an enlisted member, or as a member of a Reserve Officers Training Course unit at many major universities.

2. Decide whether you wish to serve in the Army or Air component of the National Guard. The Army National Guard falls under control of the United States Army, the National Guard Bureau and officials from a host state. The Air National Guard falls under control of the United States Air Force, the National Guard Bureau and officials from a host state.

3. Choose the state in which you would like to serve. The federal benefits are the same, and the state benefits of Tennessee and Mississippi mirror each other. You may wish to find the closest unit to your home, and apply for a vacancy.

4. Attend the 5-week Commissioned Officer Training Course at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. for Air National Guard Chaplain candidates, or the four-part, twelve-week total Chaplain Basic Officer Course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. These courses provide instruction on basic and advanced chaplain duties.

5. Return to your National Guard unit of assignment and begin your career as an Army or Air National Guard chaplain. You will incur an eight-year service commitment, which can be served in any state you choose.

References

• Army National Guard Chaplain Careers
• Air National Guard Chaplain Careers
• Mississippi National Guard
• Tennessee Military Department