Contact a Chaplain Recruiter

Serving as a Guard chaplain is an intense yet profoundly rewarding experience. You will care for the spiritual well-being of Soldiers and their families regardless of their religious backgrounds, ministering to their needs and helping them meet challenges in areas like religion, morals, and morale.

Chaplains are non-combatants and do not carry a weapon. As Guard chaplain, you'll lead a Unit Ministry Team (UMT), consisting of you and a trained Religious Affairs Specialist (an enlisted combatant Soldier trained to support chaplains during their missions and everyday activities).

If you're already an ordained minister, you can earn your commission within weeks and begin your ministry to Army National Guard Soldiers as soon as you complete the Chaplain Direct Commission course and all phases of the Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course (CHBOLC). If not yet fully qualified as a chaplain, you will begin serving as a chaplain candidate.

Army National Guard chaplains receive excellent pay as well as a number of additional incentives.

CHAPLAIN DUTIES

• Conduct religious ministries, including workshops, counseling, religious education, and special events
• Officiate at worship services, funerals, memorials, and other military functions
• Provide religious support to all military personnel in foreign lands while on deployment

CHAPLAIN ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Possess a Bachelor's degree (not less than 120 semester hours)
• Possess an accredited Master's degree of not less than 72 semester hours (36 semester hours must be in Theology)
• Obtain a federally-recognized ecclesiastical endorsement from your denomination or faith group. 
  a. The chaplain is an ordained minister or member in good standing of the respective denomination or body.
  b. The denomination approves of the chaplain serving as a military chaplain.
  c. The chaplain is qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually, and emotionally.
  d. The chaplain is sensitive to religious pluralism and able to provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel and their family members.
• Are less than 47 years of age.*
• Be mentally and physically fit.
• Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
• Be able to obtain a Secret security clearance.

^{*Age waivers for applicants at or above the maximum age are considered on a case-by-case basis.}

What is an ecclesiastical endorsement?

Each denomination or endorsing body that is recognized by the Department of Defense provides endorsement for chaplains. This endorsement (also referred to as "ecclesiastical approval") is one of the most important items for any chaplain or chaplain candidate to secure before you can be considered for service in the chaplaincy.

For chaplains

The ecclesiastical endorsement states that:

• You are an ordained minister or member in good standing of the respective denomination or body
• You have completed a certain number of years of ministry experience
• The denomination approves of your serving as a military chaplain

For chaplain candidates

The ecclesiastical approval is simply a certification** that:

• You are pursuing the fulfillment of the requirements for chaplaincy
• You are recognized as a member in good standing of the denomination or body

Without approval, you will not be commissioned or appointed to the chaplain candidate program.

^{**Form DD 2088 is for ecclesiastical endorsement.}

Requirements vary, but most religious denominations will require that you:

• Possess a Bachelor's degree (not less than 120 semester hours)
• Are a full-time student working toward a graduate degree in Theology consisting of 72 semester hours or more
• Obtain a federally recognized ecclesiastical endorsement from your denomination or faith group certify that:
  a. The chaplain is an ordained minister or member in good standing of the respective denomination or body
  b. The denomination approves of the chaplain serving as a military chaplain
  c. The chaplain is qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually, and emotionally
  d. The chaplain is sensitive to religious pluralism and able to provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel and their family members
• Are less than 37 years of age.*
• Meet the prescribed medical and moral standards for appointment as a commissioned officer
• Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Be able to obtain a secret security clearance

^{*Age waivers for applicants at or above the maximum age are considered on a case-by-case basis.}

Please check with your specific denomination's endorsing body for details.

After meeting with your endorser and completing all the denominational requirements for ecclesiastical approval, the endorser will submit the approval to the Chief of Chaplains' office. Your recruiter will not submit your packet for the chaplain candidate appointment board without your ecclesiastical approval being on the record.

It is also recommended that you request a certified copy for your personal records. Your chaplain recruiter may also request that a copy be submitted directly to them.

TRAINING FOR CHAPLAINS AND CHAPLAIN CANDIDATES

When you join the Guard as a chaplain, you'll be a commissioned officer. If you join prior to qualification as a chaplain, you will enter as a chaplain candidate. In either case, you'll attend the Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course (CHBOLC), where you'll learn fundamental military tasks and how to perform religious duties in a military environment. The three-month course can be completed in one block or in several phases over a 24-month period.

The CHBOLC consists of the following courses:

PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION FOR CHAPLAINS AND CHAPLAIN CANDIDATES

When you join the Guard as a chaplain or chaplain candidate, you'll be required to attend Professional Military Education, where you'll learn fundamental military tasks and how to perform religious duties in a military environment. Entry level training can be completed all at one time or in separate phases over a period. Below is a general overview:

CHAPLAIN DIRECT COMMISSION COURSE

Provides the foundation of values, attributes and skills required of Army officers. Addresses basic leadership skills and individual self-confidence necessary to meet chaplain branch specific challenges.

CHAPLAIN BASIC OFFICER LEADER COURSE

PHASE I

Consists of basic skills and knowledge of Army operations, staff officer skills, and Chaplain Corps history.

PHASE II

Consists of basic skills and knowledge of ethics, battlefield analysis, pluralism, just war theory, and memorials, ceremonies, and funerals.

PHASE III

Consists of basic skills and knowledge of pastoral counseling, leadership, suicide intervention, and Army culture. It concludes with a capstone field training exercise.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES*

• Up to $80,000 Chaplain Loan Repayment Program (CLRP) to help pay off education loans
• Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) and $350 MGIB-SR Kicker
• Federal Tuition Assistance and Credentialing Assistance (Up to $4,000/year)
• Free Academic Testing and Test Prep (SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE, PRAXIS, OASC and CPST)
• College Credit Equivalency Exams (CLEP and DSST)
• Education Counseling Support (1-866-ARNGEDU or via email)
  
• Medical and dental care for you and your family (TRICARE Reserve Select)
• Up to $400,000 in low-cost life insurance
• Discounted and tax-free grocery and shopping privileges at post exchanges and commissaries
• Access to recreational facilities on military installations
• Earn military retirement benefits

^{*Verify any incentives with the State Education Services Officer (in writing) before pursuing accession in the Army National Guard}

SEMINARIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Higher education takes you a step closer to your higher calling. The National Guard understands this, so we have programs that make college, seminary or divinity school affordable. Check with your officer recruiter or state education services officer (ESO) for current assistance programs.

^{GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.}