How to Become an Army Chaplain
Army chaplains provide spiritual guidance for soldiers and their families. Chaplains from various denominations are usually available at military bases in the United States and overseas. If you want to share your faith while serving your country, the Army Chaplain Corps may be an appropriate option for you. However, becoming an Army Chaplain isn't as easy as just joining the Army. There are numerous criteria you must meet to become a chaplain.
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Instructions
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Obtain a theological graduate degree. Your graduate program, such as the Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry, must include at least 72 semester hours. If you have completed a baccalaureate -- such as a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Discipleship -- that requires 120 semester hours, you can apply for the Chaplain Candidate Program, so you can serve while working toward your master's degree. You follow the same steps to join the regular Army Chaplain Corps and the Chaplain Candidate Program.
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Ensure that you have at least two years of experience serving as a pastor, associate pastor or another leadership position in your church. This can occur while you are in school, but you must get letters or endorsements verifying your experience. If you don't have two years of experience, you may qualify for a training program in the Chaplain Candidate Program. This includes a 12-week long Chaplain Basic Officers Leadership Course that is broken up into two six-week long sessions. You will also practice under the leadership of a senior chaplain.
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Find out if your denomination is recognized by the Army Chaplain Corps. A leader of your denomination can give you this information. If your denomination is recognized, ask a leader if they will write you a letter of endorsement for the Army. This letter must state that you are capable of leading soldiers for your denomination.
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Visit an Army recruiter to fill out the paperwork necessary to join the Army. Because you are applying as a chaplain, you have to visit a recruiting station that has a chaplain recruiting team representative (see resources). Bring your letter of endorsement with you, as well as your birth certificate, college transcripts, photo identification and Social Security card.You will also have to fill out a special application to join the Army Chaplain Corps. Your application into the military, and into the Army Chaplain Corps, will be processed together. You have to be accepted into both in order to become a chaplain.
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Take a trip to the Military Entrance Processing Station, or MEPS, with your recruiter. You will be given a physical to determine if you are fit for service. You will also have to fill out questionnaires and get a background check, including fingerprinting, to determine if you can get the required security clearance.
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Tips & Warnings
You must be a citizen of the United States between the ages of 21 and 50 to join the Army Chaplain Corps for the U.S. Army active duty, or the National Guard. However, if you are over 42, you need to contact a chaplain recruiting team representative to determine if you are eligible for an age waiver.
If you are a permanent resident of the United States, you can apply to serve as an Army chaplain part-time in the Army Reserve.
References
Resources
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