Perhaps one of the most difficult steps of becoming a Chaplain or Chaplain Candidate is finding a recruiter to speak to face to face. Not because recruiters do not want to talk to you or give you information, recruiters typically go out of their way to get you information you need, but because the typical recruiter in your hometown is set up to recruit enlisted personnel. Not only are you asking the recruiter about becoming an officer, you are asking about becoming a Chaplain. Some of you who live in larger cities may have an actual officers recruiting office, this may make things a little easier for you, but the reality is they do not send many Chaplains through. You may experience some slight delays as the recruiter searches to put you in contact with the right individuals. Rest assured, these men and women are professionals at what they do and they will get you the information you need and put you in contact with a Chaplain recruiter.

Once you have been contacted by a recruiter, he or she will send you information packets usually through email and regular mail. One of the first things you will be asked to submit is a pre-screen questionnaire. This allows the military to find out basic information about you such as your age, height and weight, whether you are ordained, your faith group, educational history, prior or non-prior service, and medical history. This information will allow the Army to pre-determine if you are potentially eligible to serve in the military. Once you return this questionnaire, the recruiting team will begin the application process. If everything looks good on your questionnaire, you will receive notification from a member of the recruiting team, and they will send you a FedEx package with the forms needed to begin the application process.

The packet you receive is an application you will need to complete. Other items you will need to include in this packet before returning it to the recruiting team is a short essay (one page) on why you want to serve as a Chaplain, previous work experience (ministry), questionnaire for national security clearance, and a full length photo of yourself. Clear instructions will be provided as to how to complete this packet. You can have all of this information complete within a day. Once you sent it back, the recruiter will request a copy of your academic transcript. You need to be enrolled in graduate school to be accepted as a Chaplain Candidate (or a graduate of graduate school to be accepted as a Chaplain). Once you have completed this step, you will need to begin working on receiving your endorsement from your denominational endorser.

This step of the process will most likely vary depending on the endorsing body. I can tell you, based on my experience, this is a somewhat lengthy process. The recruiter will provide you with the name and a contact at your endorsing body. Once you contact the endorser, they will provide you with the instructions to begin the application for endorsement process. In my case, I was able to log on to my endorser’s website and complete the application electronically. This required writing several paragraphs which clarified my beliefs. Once you complete the application, you will most likely have to be interviewed by your endorsing body. In my case, a phone interview took place; active duty may require an in-person interview. This process can take 1 week to 6 months to complete, depending on the endorsing body.

So now you have been endorsed by your endorsing body. You can begin the actual military application process now. Your recruiter will send you a medical pre-screen questionnaire. Complete this as soon as possible, and get it back to your recruiter so he can schedule your military physical. Your recruiter will set you up an appointment at your local MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) for your physical. Plan on being there early and remaining there most of the day. It is nothing difficult, just usually a lot of waiting. Once you complete/pass your physical, MEPS will forward your results to your recruiter. Your application is now complete and will be verified for completion of all required items.

Your recruiter will let you know when the Accession Board will meet to review applications. The Accession Board will meet and review your application. If you are accepted, your recruiter will call you to notify you and congratulate you. Typically you will receive your Oath of Office 30 -60 days following the board. Once you execute your oath, you will be a commissioned officer. This wraps up the appointment process. Next you will be contacted by the Chaplain Candidate Manager who will assist you in setting up training and getting you assigned to a unit.