Advice From the Pro's...
Explore the many forms of ministry and how you can serve, too.
 What do military chaplains do?
Chaplains have dual roles as religious leaders and staff officers. As religious leaders, chaplains provide for religious support, pastoral care, and the moral and ethical well-being of the command, by:
- Conducting worship services in a variety of settings.
- Performing baptisms, weddings, funerals and other religious services.
- Counseling individuals who seek guidance
- Overseeing religious education programs, such as Sunday school and youth groups
- Visiting and providing spiritual guidance and care to hospitalized personnel and their family members
- Training lay leaders who conduct religious education programs
- Promoting attendance at religious services, retreats and conferences
As staff officers, chaplains advise their commanders and their commander’s staffs on matters of religion, morals, and morale.
Note: Chaplains are noncombatants and do not bear arms.
What are the requirements for becoming a military chaplain?
You must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from your faith group.
1. This endorsement should certify that you are:
a. A minister in your denomination or faith group.
b. Qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve as a chaplain in the military.
c. Sensitive to religious pluralism and able to provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel, their family members and civilians who work for the military.
- Educationally, you must:
a. Possess an accredited baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours.
b. Possess an accredited master’s degree in divinity (normally a Master of Divinity degree) or a graduate degree in theological studies, which includes at least 72 hours.
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, who is at least 21 years old.
- Be able to receive a favorable security background check.
- Pass a military commissioning physical exam.
Note that the above information is generic for all three services. Each military branch’s requirements may differ slightly from those listed above.
Educational Opportunities While Attending Seminary:
The Army, the Navy, and the Air Force each have chaplain candidate programs for seminary students who want to be commissioned as chaplains upon completing their graduate studies. Such programs offer seminary students the opportunities to (1) receive training under the direct supervision of active duty and/or reserve component military chaplains, and (2) decide if they want to become military chaplains.
For more specific information about ministry opportunities in the military chaplaincy, visit the following websites:
CH (COL) Thomas E. Stokes, USA (Ret.)
Thomas E. Stokes, D. Min., Emmanuel School of Religion
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