One of the most critical pieces in the chaplain candidate life cycle–and in the chaplaincy in general–is the ecclesiastical endorsement. For chaplain candidates, this is actually referred to as “ecclesiastical approval” instead of “ecclesiastical endorsement”. You will get nowhere as a prospective chaplain candidate/chaplain if you do not have an ecclesiastical approval/endorsement.
What is an ecclesiastical endorsement? Each denomination or endorsing body that is recognized by the Department of Defense provides endorsement for chaplains. This endorsement states that the chaplain is an ordained cleric in good standing of the respective denomination or body. It also states that the chaplain has completed a certain number of years of ministry experience and that the denomination approves of the chaplain serving as a military chaplain. For chaplain candidates, the ecclesiastical approval is simply a certification that the candidate is pursuing fulfillment of the requirements for chaplaincy and is recognized as a member in good standing of the denomination or body. (Form DD2088 is for ecclesiastical endorsement.)
If you do not have an approval, you will not be commissioned or appointed to the chaplain candidate program. You will not receive an ecclesiastical approval by simply calling up your denominational headquarters and asking that one be sent out in the next day’s mail. Your denomination will require that you fill out some paperwork, perhaps meet with the endorser for an interview, and that you provide documentation that you are enrolled in seminary. Your endorser may also require that you be presently working toward the denominational requirements for ordination (perhaps through some form of non-ordained certification or licensure).
Once you have met with your endorser and fulfilled all the denominational requirements for the ecclesiastical approval, the endorser will submit the approval to the Chief of Chaplains office. Request that the endorser also send you a copy (preferably a certified copy) for your records; this may be useful to you later, particularly if you ever change denominations. Your chaplain recruiter may also request that a copy be submitted directly to him. Your recruiter will not submit your packet for the chaplain candidate appointment board without your ecclesiastical approval being on record.
After you are commissioned and appointed a chaplain candidate, you will not be allowed to continue as a candidate if, for any reason, your ecclesiastical approval is withdrawn. If you happen to change denominations while a chaplain candidate, make sure that no period of time passes between the date your former denomination withdraws its approval and your new denomination submits its approval. If you lose your ecclesiastical approval, you will be separated from the military!
If your endorser requires that you submit progress reports, letters, copies of your grades from seminary, or any other documentation; or, if he makes any other requirements; be certain that you keep these things up to date. Do not give your endorser any reason to drop your approval. Do not give him any reason to think you have disappeared from the face of the earth or that you are not interested in chaplaincy any longer. It is better to contact your endorser too often than too infrequently. After all, when it comes time for you to accession to active duty (or a reserve appointment), if your endorser doesn’t know who you are or remember you, it may be a little hard to receive an updated ecclesiastical endorsement.
how often to I need to update my approval while in the candidate program?
-billybob