Chaplain Corps
DC ARMY NATIONAL GUARD/CHAPLAIN
When you join the Army National Guard as a Chaplain, you will be a commissioned officer. Chaplains are the non-combative, spiritual leaders of the Army National Guard, providing emotional and religious support to Soldiers and their families. You will perform religious ceremonies, offer guidance and help Soldiers adjust to their military lives and experiences.
Your initial training is the Chaplain Officer Basic Leadership Course; a three-month program at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. This course teaches you to apply your civilian chaplain skills to the Army environment, prepares you physically and mentally to be an officer in the Guard, and covers the complexities of the First Amendment, freedom of expression, counseling, mentoring and leadership. This course can be completed in one block or several phases over a 24-month period.
As a Chaplain, all religions and belief systems are welcome in the Guard. To serve as a Guard chaplain, your faith group must have a federally recognized endorsing agency that can issue an ecclesiastical endorsement for you. Typically, you will work with Soldiers from your own faith.
Additional things to know about becoming a Chaplain:
You must be a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalized, pass a physical exam, and be between 21 and 42 years old. There are several educational requirements as well—be sure to look over the complete list of requirements for Army National Guard chaplain candidates.
You do not have to wait until graduation to join the Army National Guard chaplaincy. As a chaplain candidate, you can train to be a Chaplain in the Guard while working toward your civilian theology Master's Degree. This lets you earn a paycheck while greatly adding to your education and experience.
Your rank will depend on your work experience and education level. Chaplains are officers in the Army National Guard and generally begin their career progression at the grade of 1LT (First Lieutenant). Advanced appointment as a CPT (Captain) may be possible under certain circumstances
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
- U.S. citizen to commission
- Must be medically qualified
- Pass the Army Physical Fitness Test
- Meet HT/WT (Marginal tape test not acceptable)
- Must be less than 40 (chaplain applicants) or less than 34 (chaplain candidate applicants)
- Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance (Police Check)
-Be of good moral character and possess leadership qualities
TRAINING
Need to define what Chaplain training is. How long? Where located (Ft. Jackson)
INCENTIVES
Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA). Chaplains/chaplain candidates may receive up to $250 per semester hour (SH) for up to 16 SHs each fiscal year (lifetime limit of 130 SHs towards a bachelor’s degree and 39 SHs towards a graduate degree) and up to 21 additional SHs towards an academic certificate. In addition, Chaplains possessing a master’s degree or higher, or who have reached their certificate or graduate SH limit, may be authorized an additional 18 SHs to pursue an academic certificate program of preparation for certification, licensure, or capstone certification (certain conditions apply).
Credentialing Assistance (CA). Chaplains/chaplain candidates may receive up to $4,000 per fiscal year (max FTA and CA) towards a credential or licensure listed on www.cool.osd.mil/army. CA may be used to pay for courses, fees, books, exams, and training supplies.
Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) and Kicker. Chaplains/chaplain candidates with a six year enlistment or Officer Service Agreement may qualify for the MGIB-SR and Kicker. The MGIB-SR pays up to $397/month and the MGIB-SR Officer Commissioning Kicker (Standard Officer, OCS, or ROTC), pays an additional $350/month. Both benefits are up to 36 months and are tax free.