Chaplain Corps

Chaplains are the spiritual leaders of the Guard, responsible for caring for the spiritual well-being of Soldiers and their Families. They provide advice in matters pertaining to religion, morals and morale.

Chaplains lead a Unit Ministry Team (UMT), which consists of you and a trained Chaplain Assistant. You minister to Soldiers day to day, performing religious ceremonies, counseling Soldiers during times of crisis, and providing a spiritual compass.

Chaplains are non-combatants and don't carry weapons. Security is provided by a Chaplain Assistant (an enlisted Soldier who supports Chaplains during their missions and everyday activities).

Duties include:

  • Overseeing religious ministries, including workshops, counseling, religious education and special events
  • Officiating at worship services, funerals, memorials and other military functions
  • Providing religious ministry to foreign military personnel and civilians

Chaplain and Chaplain Candidate Eligibility Requirements

Chaplain

In addition to general officer eligibility, in order to qualify as a National Guard Chaplain, you’ll need to obtain a federally recognized ecclesiastical endorsement from your denomination or faith group certifying that you:

  • Are less than 47 years of age if not prior service (less than 50 with prior service)
  • Are qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally
  • Possess a Bachelor's degree (not less than 120 semester hours)
  • Possess an accredited Master's degree of not less than 72 semester hours (36 semester hours must be in Theology)
  • Are sensitive to religious pluralism and able to provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel and their Family members

Chaplain Candidates

In addition to general officer eligibility, to qualify as a Chaplain Candidate, you'll need to obtain an ecclesiastical approval from your denomination or faith group certifying that you:

  • Are enrolled in or accepted into an accredited graduate program
  • Are less than 43 years of age at commissioning
  • Are a full-time student working toward a graduate degree in Theology consisting of 72 or more hours

Find additional information about: Ecclesiastical Endorsement Seminaries and Scholarships 

Training for Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates

When you join the Guard as a Chaplain, you’ll be a commissioned officer. If you join prior to your ordination, you will enter as a Chaplain Candidate. In either case, you’ll attend the Chaplain Officer Basic Leadership Course (CH-BOLC), where you'll learn fundamental military tasks and how to perform religious duties in a military environment. The three-month course can be completed in one block or in several phases over a 24-month period. CH-BOLC consists of three segments:

Chaplain Initial Military Training: In this four-week resident course, you’ll learn core non-combatant skills such as map reading, military customs and courtesies, operations in field conditions and combat survival.

Phase I: In this two-week course you'll learn Army writing and correspondence.

Phase II and III: Two three-week courses will train you in Army-specific Chaplain duties and applying your civilian skills to the National Guard environment.

Pay and Incentives

Your pay will depend on your rank, and the higher you go, the more you’ll earn. Since you’ll be starting as an officer, you’ll earn excellent pay—especially for part-time service. For additional information, refer to our Guard Pay section.

Chaplain and Chaplain Candidates additional incentives:

  • $10,000 Accession Bonus—for qualified Chaplains (new accessions)
  • $10,000 Affiliation Bonus—for qualified Chaplains transferring from any active branch
  • Up to $40,000 Chaplain Loan Repayment Program to help pay off education loans
  • Federal Tuition Assistance—up to $4,500 per academic year (or $250 per semester hour)
  • Montgomery GI Bill

Special Branch Officer General Eligibility Requirements:

  • Meet the prescribed medical and moral standards for appointment as a commissioned officer
  • Be a United States citizen
  • Have completed an accredited qualifying degree program
  • Be 21 years of age
  • Be able to obtain a secret security clearance

All Special Branch Officers Other Benefits

  • Medical and dental care for you and your Family (Tri-Care Reserve Select)
  • Up to $400,000 in low-cost life insurance
  • Discounted and Tax-Free grocery and shopping privileges at post exchanges and commissaries
  • Free Military Air flights based on space availability
  • Free academic testing and counseling for spouse
  • Access to recreational facilities on military installations
  • A retirement pension plan at the completion of 20 years of part-time service

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