Chaplain's Assistant

[SPC Adam Jaskiewicz]

I am currently in the Indiana National Guard with about four years to go. My MOS is infantry. I am considering switching to become a chaplain's assistant but I can't find any information on it. Any help would be appreciated.

[matthew.ritchie]

I am currently in the Indiana National Guard with about four years to go. My MOS is infantry. I am considering switching to become a chaplain's assistant but I can't find any information on it. Any help would be appreciated.

A Chaplain's Assistant is not clergy, not does s/he need any particular religious training. You are the chaplain's driver, secretary, and personal guard (since you will bear arms, but a chaplain may not).


From DA Pam 611-21:

10-168. 56M--Chaplain Assistant (Chap Asst), CMF 56
a. Major duties. The chaplain assistant performs and provides specified elements of religious support mission in deployments, combat
operations, training and sustainment. Duties for MOS 56M at each level of skill are:
(1) MOSC 56M1O. Perform religious support duties and coordination for religious programs, worship and crisis intervention. Deploys the Unit Ministry Team (UMT), provides security and identifies battle fatigued Soldiers. Operates and maintains section vehicle, equipment and automated systems. Safeguard privileged communications and offerings. Screens and refers prospective counselees.
(2) MOSC 56M2O. Perform religious support duties in first level battle fatigue and family care. Provide for emergency religious ministrations on the battlefield. Applies communication skills to resolve conflict, provides for grief-process awareness session and identifies suicidal risk factors. Conducts training and provides technical guidance to subordinate UMT personnel in the performance of religious support duties. Prepares Unit Ministry Team section staff estimates, prepares the religious support annex to operation plans and orders. Implements specified elements of the Religious Support Plan (RSP) and the Commander’s Master Religious Program (CMRP).
<higher ranks deleted for this post>
b. Physical demands rating and qualifications for initial award of MOS. Chaplain assistant must possess the following qualifications:
(1) A physical demands rating of moderately heavy.
(2) A physical profile of 222221.
(3) Qualifying scores.
(a) A minimum score of 95 in aptitude area CL in Armed Services Vocational aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests administered prior to 2 January 2002.
(b) A minimum score of 92 in aptitude area CL on ASVAB tests administered on and after 2 January 2002 and prior to 1 July 2004.
(c) A minimum score of 90 in aptitude area CL on ASVAB tests administered on and after 1 July 2004.
(4) Credit for successful completion of 1 year or two courses in computer or keyboarding.
(5) Requires a SECRET clearance.
(a) Effective 1 October 2004, Initial Entry Accessions and In-Service reclassifications must possess a SECRET clearance prior to award of MOS 56M.
(b) Effective 1 October 2005, all MOS 56M Soldiers must have initiated a request for SECRET clearance.
(6) Must provide religious support to all religions.
(7) Is a combatant and will qualify with assigned weapon and bear arms.
(8) Must display high moral character as determined by the following criteria:
(a) No pattern of undesirable behavior as evidenced by civil and military records.
(b) No record of convictions by court martial.
(c) No record of civilian conviction within the last 2 years other than minor traffic offenses.
(9) Must possess a valid state motor vehicle operator license. (10) No record of conviction by special or general courts-martial or civilian courts of offenses listed in AR 27-10 (Military Justice), chapter 24 or otherwise required to register as a sexual offender under AR 27-10, chapter 24.
(11) Formal training (completion of MOS 56M course conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School (USACHCS)) is mandatory. Reserve component Soldiers with prior service may qualify by completion of either the course at USACHCS or complete both the Annual Training/Active Duty for Training and the Inactive Duty Training phase of MOS 56M Reserve Component Training.

[Specialist Purdue]

What Unit are you in? I am also in Indiana so maybe I can help you out a little more. Let me know.

[ro3434]

active duty in an Airborne Unit from 94-98. It is what you make of it. I did not like it because it is just you and the Chaplain. Yeah you have NCO support, but only at the Brigade or above levels, so not much protection within your own Battalion. I was in an Artillery Unit (Abn) and I had to stay squared away b/c you never know if the Chap will take care of you or not in the event of a crisis. The Major is right, you are the driver, secretary, and body-guard. I also did not feel like I was part of a Team. There was hardly any comraderie for years with the "gun bunnies" so I resorted to volunteering to jump the M60 on airborne ops (and stuff like that) which made my 1SG happy, and trust me, if he is happy with you, then you are pretty much good to go. I always had spit shined boots and starche uniforms. I had just gotten out of college with a 4 yr degree so I made good decisions to avoid stupid mistakes, it also helped in that I didn't make many clerical mistakes. Anyway, it is a good MOS and keeps you off alot of details, but in the end, I just wanted to get out b/c there was hardly any of Team comraderie with other soldiers b/c I was the Chaps Asst.. and quite honestly, I thought it was looked down upon by. But those are only my opinions. Other 71M or 56M may have a different opinion on the job.

[ro3434]

I am currently in the Indiana National Guard with about four years to go. My MOS is infantry. I am considering switching to become a chaplain's assistant but I can't find any information on it. Any help would be appreciated.

me if you want more info.