Recruitment Information: Army

Recruitment Information

Pastor Counselor Friend

The U.S. Army Chaplain serves a vital role in the lives of men and women in today’s Army. The oldest Army Officer Corps, Army Chaplains have been bringing God’s message of faith and life to soldiers and their family members since the time of the Revolutionary War.

“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ,” Romans 10:17. Soldiers, like men and women everywhere, need to hear the Word of God proclaimed with vigor, conviction and love.

Many of these soldiers are young, recent high school or college graduates, away from home for the first time and are often looking for religious guidance, or simply a friendly, approachable face and an encouraging word.

Many look to the Chaplain for comfort during times of emotional stress, when facing moral conflict, or the sadness of grief.

The Army Chaplaincy is a challenging and dynamic opportunity to reach out to men and women from various backgrounds of culture and religion in order to present the eternal Truths of God. Because the Chaplain knows firsthand what the soldier is going through, you are able to develop a special bond of spiritual friendship that makes it easier for our young soldiers to openly share their concerns and heartaches.

And, you will also discover an unparalleled opportunity to grow, not only as a minister/Chaplain, but as a human being as well. In the Army, Chaplains have an opportunity to participate in specialized workshops and receive educational training to enhance their skills in pastoral care. You will interact with other Chaplains from various denominations and have an opportunity to introduce many soldiers to the claims of Scripture, who otherwise would not have darkened the doors of your church.

It is a profession that will utilize all your talents and stretch your abilities to their widest potential.

If knowing that you will play such an important role in the lives of so many people is of interest to you, then the Army Chaplaincy is for you.

The Chaplain’s ministry includes not only the soldiers, but their spouses and children, as well as Department of Defense civilian employees.

A Chaplain’s Daily Responsibilities Might Include

  • Providing Chapel services to soldiers in a military Chapel or field environment.
  • Providing spiritual guidance to soldiers who are deployed worldwide.
  • Organizing religious education classes.
  • Providing marriage counseling.
  • Performing wedding ceremonies.
  • Officiating at military funerals or memorial services, and
  • Observing the sacraments.

Continuing Education

The Army Chaplaincy is a professional organization that provides opportunity for continuing your ministerial and officer professional development.

Such professional development includes:

  • Three-phased Chaplain Officer Basic Course (CHOBC).
  • Chaplain Officer Advanced Course (CHOAC).
  • Combined Arms and Services Staff School (CAS3).
  • Workshops in homiletics.
  • Parish development.
  • Religious education.
  • Pastoral counseling and other pertinent areas for ministers.
  • Correspondence and resident courses offered by various Army Service Schools (CGSC, WC).

Additionally, Chaplains are selected to study for additional academic degrees at civilian institutions for fully funded resident courses in:

  • Homiletics.
  • Ethics.
  • Pastoral Counseling (Family Life).
  • Accredited Clinical Pastoral Education.
  • Permissive Temporary Duty (PTDY – 10 days annually at no expense to the government) to attend denominational conferences or retreats.

Uniform Allowance
Newly commissioned Army Chaplains are paid a one-time uniform allowance.
Retirement

Retirement is available to Chaplains after a minimum of 20 years of honorable service. (Active Duty Retirement pay begins upon discharge; Reserve Retirement pay begins at age 60).

Life Insurance
All soldiers are eligible to receive low-cost group life insurance of $200K or $250K.

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Ecclesiastical Endorsement by your denomination.
  2. Baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours from an accredited university listed in the current edition of the American Council on Education’s (ACE), Accredited Institutions of Post Secondary Education, or any institution listed in the current edition of the Directory, Association of Theological Schools (ATS) Bulletin, Part 4, or accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Schools (TRACS).
  3. Master of Divinity Degree of not less than 90 resident semester hours from an accredited university listed in the current edition of the American Council on Education’s (ACE), Accredited Institutions of Post Secondary Education, or any institution listed in the current edition of the Directory, Association of Theological Schools (ATS) Bulletin, Part 4, or accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Schools (TRACS).
  4. A minimum of two years of full-time professional pastoral experience, Validated by the applicant’s Endorsing Agent (this requirement does not apply to Reserve Component applicants).
  5. Be a citizen of the United States or one who has lawfully entered the United States for permanent residence (green card).
  6. Able to receive a favorable National Agency Security Clearance.
  7. To Be A Chaplain Candidate (During Seminary Education) – Be over 18 and under age 34 at the time of appointment.
  8. To Be A Chaplain – Be over 18 and under age 40 at the time of appointment (a waiver for age may be considered for prior military service), and a fully qualified minister of your denomination (M.Div, or equivalent).
  9. Be physically and medically qualified.

For additional information contact:
Michael F. Frazier
Chaplain (MAJ), Recruiter
5th AMEDD Recruiting Detachment
2505 North Highway 360
Suite 680
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
(817) 633-3802
(817) 633-6772 (Fax)
1-866-684-1571 (Toll-Free)
http://www.usarmychaplain.com/