Okay, you’ve been through the paperwork and your packet went before the chaplain candidate appointment board. You were approved and you’ve received your appointment packet, sworn the oath of office, and mailed the papers in. You’ve received your commission and your letter of appointment to the IRR. Now what?
Education
The most important thing you can do as a chaplain candidate is to continue your education. The chaplain candidate manager requires that you complete at least nine hours of coursework each semester (full-time status); eighteen completed hours per academic year is the prerequisite for candidate training. So, if you drop out of school or drop below full time, don’t expect to stay in the program.
Additionally, by October 1 of each year, you should submit ARPC Form 1046-1 to the candidate manager. This form must be signed by your school registrar, stating that you are enrolled full-time in a qualified educational program. This form provides a waiver from active duty. If you do not file this form, you are subject to being called up; if you are called up to active duty–and as a chaplain candidate, you are not yet branch-qualified to serve as a chaplain–you could be required to fulfill your military obligation in another branch. This is theoretical, of course, because the Army doesn’t want chaplain candidates on active duty who have yet to complete the requirements of branch qualification (whether chaplaincy or some other branch). If you happen to be a prior service officer who is now in the candidate program, I strongly urge that you keep this form updated! It may save you the headache of a mistaken callup (because you are already qualified in some other branch).
Church
The second most important thing for you to do as a chaplain candidate is to meet the qualifications for ordination by your denomination. This varies by denomination, obviously. However, it is important that you are involved in a local church now. It is also important that, as soon as possible, you become involved in your local section, district, presbytery, deanery, diocese, or council. If no one in your denomination knows you, except for your endorser, the possibility of you gaining ministry experience is very little.
If you happen to work in ministry while in seminary, verify with your endorser whether this ministry may meet your denomination’s requirements for chaplaincy endorsement. Most denominations require ministry experience to be completed after seminary in order for you to be endorsed as a chaplain. In fact, the Army itself prefers this sequence and, if you are endorsed without post-seminary ministry experience, your endorser will be required to provide a written statement affirming that he is endorsing you without such post-seminary experience.
Training
Perhaps the sole reason you became a chaplain candidate was to complete military training. See upcoming installments of this series for information about training opportunities (CHOBC and Practicums).
Surviving
The mere fact that you now have a gold bar on your collar doesn’t mean you know what being an officer is about or how to survive in military life. If you’ve had prior service, you have a leg up. Either way, read the forthcoming post in this series entitled Surviving in the Army.
Table of contents for Chaplain Candidacy
- The Army chaplain candidate program
- So you want to be a chaplain?
- How do I learn more about becoming a chaplain candidate? Part 1.
- How do I learn more about becoming a chaplain candidate? Part 2.
- The chaplain candidate appointment process. Part 1.
- The chaplain candidate appointment process. Part 2.
- I’m a Second Lieutenant. Now what?
- CHOBC. Part 1.
- Chaplain Candidate series to be expanded
I am currently enlisted and in Iraq. I have secured my ecclsiastical endorsement and they will sumit my packet for me this summer upon my return. This information is so helpful to me. I have a million questions and anything I can get will help me. I would like to speak to people who are or have gone through Liberty Univsersity.
Hey Hector. I just got accepted into the program, just pinned on 2LT and I am just finishing up my Bachelor’s degree through Liberty. I start the M. Div this fall. If you want have some questions let me know and I will help you as much as I can.
Hector, I thought that you had to currently be in seminary BEFORE you can join the chaplain candidate program. How did you get the 2LT pinned on before seminary? Also as a candidate, do you have to attend Chaplain Officer Basic Course, or will you attend that AFTER you graduate? What courses will you have to attend as a Candidate?
You can join the candidate program during your senior year of college if you want, I did. I do not start Seminary until this Fall. I do have to attend the Chaplain Basic course, I believe the only ones that are except are people who have already attended an Army Officer school. I was not able to attend CHBOLC this summer, but I hope to attend in the Winter. The Army wants you to complete the first part of the basic course as soon as you can, phases 2 and 3 of the training aren’t completed until the summer before you graduate from Seminary.
Great post. Thanks, Fr. Sparks.
Kevin H,
I’m in my junior year at LU studying for my degree in religion. I’m also active duty AF. Any help would be great. I would prefer staying AF but it looks as if the army may have a better program. Thanks in advance and congrats sir!
G Mason,
I was active duty AF for 8 years before I got out and decided to go back to college. I would highly suggest that if you want to stay AF, then speak to an AF Chaplain recruiter, not a regular recruiter, and see what they can do for you. One of the reasons I didn’t go AF was that I felt that I had to have my degree finished before they would even speak to me. I was told that someone would call me back and they never would, so I didn’t feel like they wanted me. I went the Army Reserves route because the need seemed to be greater there and I felt that they truly wanted me, I just felt the AF was sorta like “we couldn’t care less” and this call was very important to me. The Army put me into the Chaplain Candidate program during my senior year, and now I am planning on going to the Chaplains Basic Officer Leadership Course this winter hopefully. I spoke with one of the Chaplain recruiters in Illinois and he was very good, he answered all of my questions and didn’t put any pressure on me to make a decision. Keep in mind that the decision is yours and do not let anyone discourage you. If you need specific questions answered, I would be glad to answer them. Good luck with your decision!
Kevin H.
Anybody at andrews University, I need some Info about MDiv, campus and Fam. Housing.
Hello Kevin, I’m a week away from the ascension board and my direct commission is right around the corner. I’m already enrolled at LU for Jan, 2009 and I was told that once this happened that a chaplain would become my sponsor when chaplain recruiting was done with me. Is it with this “Sponsor” that I could get assigned a slot in a unit and a tentative duty assignment? Thanks for any info.
God Bless
Abel M.
Abel, once you are commissioned, the chaplain candidate manager will be in touch with you. He is the one who manages your career in the candidate program. If you are in the Guard, he will assist you in working with your state command to place you in a unit. If you are in the Reserve (IRR), you will not be in a unit (it is possible to drill for points, however). Your duty assignment as a chaplain candidate is to complete seminary. There is no unit assignment unless you are in the Guard, and the mission is the same: complete seminary. And, by the way, you can complete some Army chaplaincy training while completing seminary.
Thanks Fr. Sparks, I had a couple of other questions once I swear in and receive my commission. Although I’d be in the IRR, can I still get a military ID and Dog Tags? Thanks and God Bless.
Abel, yes, once you’re commissioned, you can go to your nearest military installation and receive your ID cards and tags. Your family members can do the same, and you’ll have the regular privileges of a reserve Soldier, such as commissary and PX shopping access.
Happy New Year Fr. Sparks!
First, I wanted to Thank You for putting together this site with some helpful information and being able to ask you a few questions. I believe I am one of the few rare cases. Currently, I am Active Duty Air Force with 18 plus years of service and I just turned 37 years young on Christmas Day. I have my initial 4 year degree, have a denomination that I worship regularly, also been accepted by two seminaries(Louisville Presbyterian seminary and the Reformed Presbyterian Theological seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa) for next fall, as well as finding an endorsing agency for my Presbyterian form of worship. I am now applying for an Army Chaplain Candidate scholarship at the one seminary and looking into scholarships from the other seminary. By the early summer, my goal is to transfer from AF Active Duty into the Army Reserves to attend one of the two seminaries in the Army’s Chaplain Candidate program. looking into my options, I was too old for the Air Force’s Chaplain candidate program, howevr still age eligible for the Army’s program. Two of my biggest challenges will be the Army to pick me up for this program and the Air Force to allow me to transition into the Army’s Chaplain Candidate program. I do have to get together the Candidate package for the approval process, but it seems very difficult trying to track down an Army Chaplain recruiter. Located in Colorado my nearest recruiter’s are in Texas; called last week to a few different numbers and no one is home. One of the numbers rang up the Medical Clinic. I left a message on a voice box, have sent emails a few months ago, and on a recruiter’s cell phone number and have not received a call back. It is definitely frustrating and head scratching; especially when you are attempting to meet deadlines. Since, I am prior service, I would be allowed to finish my M-DIV by the age of 42; instead of 40, but time is not on my side. Do you know or anyone else know of any particular Chaplain recruiter location, that may be able to assist with the forms and information I would need? I was going to look for other locations; despite not being the most closest geographically speaking. I may get a little frustrated, however I am not giving up my Chaplain calling goal! I knew being in my particular situation that this process would not be easy without bumps along the way. If and when I am accepted into the Army Chaplain Candidate program, would I drill one weekend per month on a regular basis, or just drill during the summer?
Thanks to Fr. Sparks and all that have answered questions and provided helpful information. To wear the military uniform and support our military not just as a job, but as a way of living is priceless!!! 20 years ago, I would have never thought this would be my calling, however I feel we have the best calling to serve God and our country.
In Him,
Christian S.
If I already have a Secret or TS clearance, would I have to complete the required paperwork or application again? I have eighteen prior years of service. Thanks again for any information on this subject.
God Bless,
Christian S.
Christian, you cannot accession to the chaplaincy with more than 16 years of active federal service. I’m sure you will want to follow up on this with a chaplain recruiter, however.
The chaplain recruiter for your region is the only recruiter who can handle your packet. Check the contact info here: http://armychaplaincy.com/2008.....recruiter/ Be aware that the chaplain recruiters are frequently travelling and may take a few days to get back with you. Also, I suspect that, even if you were eligible (with less than 16 years of service) that it would be very difficult to get your USAF and USAR paperwork completed by summer.
Only USARNG candidates drill, which is done on a monthly basis (one weekend per month, two weeks in the summer is the standard). In some cases, the chaplain candidate manager can approve for USAR candidates to drill with a local unit for retirement points only (not for pay). USAR candidates can attend any class of CHBOLC or practicums throughout the year; however, more options are available during the summer because that is when most candidates are able to train.
Christian, if you already have a clearance, you would not need to apply again. This would show up in your personnel file and could be confirmed by Security. Check your ERB/ORB to ensure that your clearance is showing as active.
Thanks for your very informative blog. I wonder if you might offer your thoughts on my situation. I began the process of applying for the Chaplain Candidate program in the spring of 2008 after I had quit my civilian job and was waiting to enter seminary in the fall. I was commissioned as a 2LT in the Army National Guard about two months into my first seminary semester and have been drilling with them since.
Now into my second semester, I am running into some problems that I did not anticipate. I am finding it increasingly difficult to manage my seminary studies, my civilian job which is necessary to pay living expenses and tuition, my local church work, my family responsibilities, and my Guard obligations. I have already cut down my course load such that my stay at seminary will be extended by a year and my involvement in my church has been pretty minimal, so I do not know how much further I can scale back in any of those areas. As someone with no prior military service and therefore, little exposure to the “Army way”, I am finding the CC program to be about 90% military bureaucracy and 10% spiritual ministry. I am beginning to question the wisdom of my signing up for something that I understood so little when I had so many other obligations. I really, really do not like being in the position of having to second-guess myself, but here I am. If you have any advice for me, I would happily receive it.
Best,
DH
Hi Dmitri,
I can appreciate your situation! I’m a candidate myself and I’m days from the board and already fully engrossed in my seminary work as well. I work only part time and with my school load I have to wonder If I can handle a full time job (assuming I’m lucky enough to find one). That’s a lot on your plate to be sure! I’d try to taper off if I could. Clearly God (church), family, and work come first. School is the main thing you can do for the CCP right now. Don’t worry about drilling right now. I was a former guardsman and you’ll get plenty of time later on when your more complete in seminary and home ministry.
Hang in there.
Best blessings
Abel Martinez
Dmitri, I suggest that you discuss this matter with your chaplain supervisor. It sounds as if you have two concerns: you feel overwhelmed by the many activities you have going on and you are unhappy with the ministry opportunities you have experienced so far in the candidate program. As for the first, it seems that you have tried cutting down your activities already, and I encourage you to continue searching for ways in which you may disentangle yourself.
As for the second, I wonder how much time the Guard is taking from your schedule. If I understand you correctly, you are drilling one weekend per month. This is typical, and, while I understand that even one weekend could cause difficulties with all of your other responsibilities, I’m not sure how that one weekend could cause as much disruption as it seems. This is why I suggest that you talk with your chaplain supervisor, as there may be some unusual things going on in your situation. Remember that you are a chaplain candidate, not a chaplain. As a candidate, you are not a fully-qualified chaplain, and your time on duty requires supervision. The time you spend learning about bureaucracy will serve you well when you begin ministry as a chaplain–you will already have an understanding of how the system works, which will give you a clue as to how to approach ministry, how to secure supplies, how to prepare reports, as well as what pitfalls to avoid. I am not trying to justify the bureaucracy, but I am trying to suggest that, even in an uncomfortable experience, you can gain valuable insight that will aid you in ministry; if in no other way, it should help you understand others who experience the same problems and help you find ways to minister to them.
I hope my remarks are helpful. Again, please seek more specific advice and assistance from your chaplain supervisor, as he is in the best position to help.
Thank you for the opportunity to e-mail you. I was just wondering if one do get into the chaplain candidate program, if the army will support in any way during the years at Seminary. I understand the military might provide up to $4,500 tuition assistance. However, I’m wondering if they assist students with a monthly allowance or a yearly allowance, for food,rent etc…!
Thank you for your time.
Blessings
Phil
Phil, if you have been in the military previously and have G.I. Bill benefits, a housing allowance may be available under the recently-revised plan. Otherwise, no, there are no such benefits beyond the tuition assistance.
Candidates are paid while they train. Other benefits (such as a housing allowance, if authorized) are paid during training time, also.
This may have been touched upon in prior posts. I apologize if it has. I am a Criminal justice senior who will be applying for the MDiv program at Liberty. I noticed some of you recieved a comm. before you finished your B.A. or B.S. Could i apply now while in my Senior year? Thanks for the responses.
Hi,
I am currently enduring the Chaplain Candidate process (started first MDiv course at Liberty U., all paperwork complete/turned in, and awaiting ecclessiastical endorsement and cholesterol waiver). I’m 41 with prior service (8.5 yrs active, 11 years reserve AF) and actually, though never intentionally, following my father’s footsteps; he retired as active duty army Chaplain and he will swear me in (pending evertything goes well.
I was just signing in to this site as I’ve been reading many of the posts…great, useful info. I appreciate everything being shared in this forum.
In His Service
Tom
Jay, it is not possible to be commissioned without an undergraduate degree. You can apply for the candidate program while you are in your senior year of college if you have an acceptance letter for enrollment in the next regular semester of an accredited seminary. However, you would not be commissioned until your final transcript/diploma are received by the chaplain recruiter and your packet goes to the appointment board.
Thank you sir for the quick response.
Greetings,
I am a Baptist Pastor with 8 years experience, prior service with 10 years navy. I have been accepted to the Army to depart in June. Also, I have some seminary studies and approxmatily 16 credit hours from my undergraduate degree, which I have planned to complete soon after entering the army.
What should be my intial steps between my first active duty days and finnishing my degree that would allow a smooth and timely transition into the Chaplain Candiate process.
God Bless you for your services
God bless to all! I was wondering what were the differences between the Army Reserve and the Guard Chaplain candidate program? I was also wondering if any body had any opinions on the drilling requirements and there experience while in the reserve component.I am praying for God’s direction towards the Chaplaincy and I’m looking at all the options. Is it also common to switch over from reserve to active status and if so would it be easier in the reserve or guard? Thank you and God bless to all!
God is in control and we look to Him for everything we need!!!
Pastor White, if I understand what you’ve written, you have enlisted in the Army and are working on completing your education; you want to become a chaplain candidate in the future.
If you do not have a complete undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, that’s where you should begin. Once you have the bachelor degree, move on to the master degree. While you are on active duty, after you have completed your bachelor degree, contact a chaplain recruiter about the chaplain candidate program.
Ralph, it is possible to move from Reserve or Guard to active duty. This requires a request through your chain of command and a release by the USAR or USARNG state command. However, don’t go into the USAR or USARNG with the idea that you can request a move right away if you decide 3 months into your contract that you want to go on active duty. You may be required to fulfill the length of your contract before being released to AD.
The USAR chaplain candidate program is an IRR status. USAR candidates do not drill (they can drill for retirement points only–but not pay–under certain conditions approved by the chaplain candidate manager). USARNG candidates are assigned to a USARNG unit and drill with the unit as any other Soldier.