Military Chaplaincy
A Ministry which includes
Adventure
Challenge
Growth
Excitement
Wherever the military goes your ministry will be needed, welcomed and valued.
Are you interested?
We hope so! If you have ever considered a life in uniform this page will be a handy guide. It is designed to help you evaluate the possibility of chaplaincy in your life. With this reference material comes an invitation to contact our office if you have questions. May God be with you in this consideration.
I want to emphasize that there is no obligation attached to your inquiry. We want to supply you with as much useful information as necessary so that a discernment of the Holy Spirit can be realized. On its own the exercise of checking this out will be illuminating. Be assured of our continuing prayers for your ministry.
The Rev. Gerald J. Blackburn, Director for Military Chaplaincies
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What are the available chaplaincy programs?
- Chaplain Candidate Program for seminary students — Army, Navy, Air Force
- Active Duty programs — Army, Navy, Air Force
- Reserve Component programs — Army, Navy, Air Force
- National Guard programs — Army and Air Force
- Civil Air Patrol volunteer, non-stipend program
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If you are interested in a chaplaincy program, the Bishop for Chaplaincies must endorse you for the program before the Department of Defense will consider your application. To apply for endorsement, click here
Why do we have Episcopal chaplains in the Armed Services?
In the Epistle to the Hebrews (13: 11,13), Christians are encouraged to go with Jesus “outside the camp,” or “outside the gate.” The place of his crucifixion was not a holy place, or even a place within the holy city of Jerusalem, but outside the gate in secular territory, actually the city dump. There is where God is working, not just among religious people or in more “untainted” religious places.
The “outside the gate” implication is that ministry should occur wherever people are. Church and ministry must not only be available in places of safety and security but also in places of danger and possible death.
Military chaplains are called to serve outside the walls of civilian congregation ministry in contexts that are less defined. This is an exciting and challenging ministry with young men, women and families, who are working in difficult circumstances, often away from home.
Paragraphs 1 & 2 above are paraphrased from a portion of Military Chaplaincy as Ministry, by Robert McAfee Brown).
What are the Department of Defense qualification requirements for prospective chaplains?
Military requirements and application procedures for chaplaincy programs vary depending upon the branch of service. Consult with a chaplain recruiter for details.
Army: www.usarmychaplain.com, (800) 223-3735 ext. 6-0585
Navy: www.chaplain.navy.mil, (901) 874-9216
Air Force: www.afhc.af.mil, (800) 803-2452
Civil Air Patrol: www.capnhq.gov
1. Discuss with your bishop the call to become a chaplain and obtain his/her consent to apply for a chaplain program position.
2. Complete an application form for the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for Chaplaincies.
3. Contact the military branch chaplain recruiter to find out the military requirements pertaining to age limits, physical fitness and the military application process.
3. Upon receipt of your application form Bishop Packard will seek your Diocesan Bishop's formal approval and create a file.
4. Upon completion of your file (which includes the standard Episcopal Church background check), be prepared to meet with Bishop Packard and a selection committee.
For more information, contact
The Rev. Gerald J. Blackburn, Director for Military Chaplaincies
Office of the Bishop Suffragan for Chaplaincies
1-800-334-7626, ext. 6069
gblackburn@episcopalchurch.org
