How to Become a Chaplain

If you are considering applying for an appointment as a military chaplain, you are considering one of the most unique spiritual opportunities for ministry available anywhere.

Military chaplains offer a broadly based ministry aimed at meeting the diverse pastoral needs of the pluralistic military community. All chaplains are responsible for supporting both directly and indirectly the Constitutionally mandated free exercise of religion for all members of the Military Services, their family members, and other authorized persons. (Referenced from Department of Defense Directive 1304.19) Every Active Duty, Guard, Reserve or Civil Air Patrol Chaplain is required to receive an ecclesiastical endorsement from his or her own religious organization, no matter which branch of military service is desired. Each chaplain is expected to remain faithful to the tenets of the religious group granting one’s ecclesiastical endorsement.

Selection to become a chaplain is competitive and based on the needs of the particular Service Branch to which a person applies. The requirements set by the Community of Christ include:

• Experience as a fully qualified member of the Melchisedec priesthood.
• A minimum of two years of service as pastor.
• Attend an interview coordinated by the Human Resource Management department of the church. 
• Meet all the basic requirements set forth by the Department of Defense, or of your host nation if other than the United States. For a list of basic requirements for the United States Services, go to the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces at http://www.ncmaf.org/chaplain.htm.  

For more information about this challenging career alternative contact the Community of Christ Military Chaplain Endorser, Steven McCrosson, at 1-800-825-2806 ex 3074 or e-mail at militaryministry@CofChrist.org