AFRC Chaplain Corps

> >

YouTube Link: 2015 C2I2 video

Qualifications
General
- Be a U.S. citizen (dual citizenship is not accepted)
- Be qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve Air Force Reserve personnel
- Pass the Air Force Reserve physical examination and meet weight standards
- Pass a National Security Agency background check to qualify for a security clearance
- Be sensitive to religious diversity and provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel, their dependents, and other authorized personnel of the U.S. Military
Educational requirements: Schools must be accredited
Professional degree - Chaplains must possess a completed Master of Divinity of at least 72 hours. Candidates must be working on the MDiv. (Any MDiv equivalency must require at least 72 hours within the program itself. Combined degrees to equal or surpass the 72 hours requirement are not allowed. Adding additional hours onto a lesser degree is not allowed.)
All degree plans and transcripts must be reviewed by our staff.
This is a competitive process. If your goal is to become an active duty chaplain, several factors will be considered to include a 3-year commitment in the Air Force Reserve prior to serving on active duty.
Ecclesiastical requirements: All chaplains and chaplain candidates must have an ecclesiastical chaplain endorser. Normally, this comes through denominational channels. Non-denominational applicants must find a non-denominational endorser. Here is a list of endorsers.
See the FAQ on this site for more information
Age requirements: Chaplains must be less than 40 at the time of appointment. Those with prior military service must be less than 42 at the time of appointment. Candidates must be less than 35 at the time of appointment. See the FAQ on this site for more information.
- Training requirements:
  For chaplains:
  
  Commissioned Officer Training - approximately 4 weeks
  Basic Chaplain Course - approximately 6 weeks
  
  For chaplain candidates:
  - Second Summer Internship - approximately 5 weeks
Divisions of Service
The below requirements reflect the minimum days of participation required to be a Reservist.

Category A: Traditional Reservist
You become the chaplain to a group of Reservists, who, like you, serve one weekend per month and two weeks per year. Chaplains are also eligible for short tours to augment the active duty.
Category B: Individual Mobilization Augmentee
Instead of being the chaplain to a group of Reservists, you will become an asset to an active duty chapel staff, serving a minimum of 24 days per year, divided as follows: 12 consecutive days and 12 individual days scattered throughout the year. These days are served according to the needs of your chapel while considering your civilian ministry calendar.
Benefits
Earn additional income
The Air Force Reserve offers excellent part-time pay. Both chaplains and chaplain candidates are paid when they serve. For chaplains this means year-round part-time income, and for chaplain candidates, part-time income during the summer months.

Insurance
For chaplains, excellent medical, dental and life insurance are provided while on duty and available year-round for a nominal fee. For chaplain candidates, these benefits are only available while on duty during the summer.

Retirement
The military offers a retirement program. As a Reservist, your total amount of retirement will be based on how much time you serve. The more you serve, the greater your retirement benefit.
FAQs
How long is the application process?

Seven to nine months, depending on your sense of urgency, the work load of your recruiter, your health assessment, your ecclesiastical endorser's turnaround time, and so on.

How does the application process work?

You will first be specialty qualified by a chaplain recruiter. Then you will be assigned an Officer Accessions (OA) Recruiter for processing. Your chaplain recruiter will help with chaplain-specific requirements. Your OA Recruiter will assist on officer-specific requirements.

Chaplains are addressed as "Chaplain", regardless of rank.

What is an ecclesiastical endorser?
It is not your pastor or local congregation. An endorser is usually connected with a denomination's headquarters. There are some non-denominational endorsers. Too often pastors tell applicants "I'll endorse you." While a pastor may have good intentions, this is not the way it works. Finding an endorser is something you must do, we cannot help you do that. Once you have fulfilled your endorser's requirements, the endorser will provide us with the endorsement. Click here for a list of endorsers.

Someone told me I should enlist and work my way to becoming a chaplain candidate or chaplain. Should I enlist?

If you enlist you are obligated for a specific period of time in a particular career field. (This is the same situation as with the commissioned officers.) In order to become a chaplain candidate or a chaplain you have to get released from your commitment, which in most cases is not easy and will only delay and complicate your goal.

Someone told me if I enlist as a chaplain assistant this will help me transition into the chaplaincy. Is this true?
No, it is not. The Chaplain Assistant job is a different career field.

How does a current enlisted person or officer become a chaplain candidate or chaplain?
1. To become a chaplain candidate: If you are Active Duty, Reserve, or Guard: Discuss with us the process of being released from your commitment. As a chaplain candidate you will only have health insurance and SGLI during summer training. If you need these benefits, it is best for you to stay in your current position while in seminary. If you do not need the benefits and can be released from your commitment, contact us.
2. To become a chaplain: You must be released from your current commitment. For officers, you will be changing competitive categories and it is best for us to talk about that.
Does an officer of another career field retain his/her rank if he/she becomes a chaplain candidate or a chaplain?

In all cases, a chaplain candidate is a Second Lieutenant. For new chaplains who are prior officers, there is a grade calculation to determine your rank as a chaplain. Please ask about the potential impact of changing competitive categories.

Does the air force reserve offer student loan repayment for officers?

No, not at this time.

What about deployment?

All uniformed members are deployable assets of the U. S. Government, however, chaplain candidates do not have the qualifications to deploy. Since 9/11, Reserve chaplains have deployed by volunteering to go.

I currently hold military status, will that help me get into the Air Force Reserve?

No, because you will have to be released from your commitment. If you are in the Air Force or Air Force Reserve you still have to be released from your current commitment and this may take a while. Your recruiter will know how to direct you. If you are an Air National Guard chaplain wanting to become an Air Force Reserve chaplain, this is a fairly simple action.

What is the obligation?

For candidates, we want you to complete the program. For information call 1-800-525-0102, ext 3, tell them you are chaplain candidate applicant with a question for the education office.
For chaplains who did not receive Tuition Assistance, we ask you to stay for a minimum of three years.

What is the time commitment?

For candidates: first summer - 11 weeks of training; second summer - 5 weeks of training.
For chaplains: Your first training is the Commissioned Officers' Training of 4 weeks. Within the first two years of your role as chaplain you have to complete the 6 week Basic Chaplains' Course. Chaplains are also required to complete the minimum number of training days required to serve.

Pay?

Candidates are paid for each day of serving in the summer. Chaplains are paid for each day worked. Yes, you are paid while in military training status. Google military pay charts to learn about pay. For candidates - look for the monthly pay for the rank of O-1, prorate that amount per day. For chaplains - look for O-2.

Other Benefits?

Tri-Care Reserve Select is available for chaplains. Chaplain Candidates have health insurance only during summer training.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is added to a candidate's pay when in training status. For chaplains, it is added when you are in training status and when you do your two weeks of active duty. BAH is not available when you work individual days. Google to find rate, based on your zip code and prorate it accordingly.

Retirement pay is available for those who serve 20 years. Your recruiter probably will not know the details of the retirement benefit. Google to learn about the retirement benefit or to find a phone number of a technician to help you. FOR PRIOR SERVICE - yes your prior service does go into the calculation with your new reserve chaplain duty, however, recruiters are not experts on this. You will need to contact a retirement specialist.

Are there age waivers for the chaplain candidate program?

No. One must take oath before the 35th birthday. This is a hard cut off and there are no exceptions for any reason, including prior service.

Can I start my application before I start seminary?

No. In order to be qualified you must be a full time seminary student. You need to call your denomination's military chaplain endorsing office and find out their requirements. If you are non-denominational, you will have to find an endorser.

Will the air force reserve pay for my seminary?

Here is how Tuition Assistance traditionally works: After you finish your first summer of training as a chaplain candidate you can apply for Tuition Assistance, which is good for up to $4500 per year for the remaining years of seminary. In other words, your first year of seminary is on your own. During your first year you will be applying to be a chaplain candidate. Be advised that Tuition Assistance depends on available funds. For more information on Tuition Assistance, call the following number only if you've read all of the information on this site and are certain you qualify: 800-525-0102, then press 3, then ask for the education office. Be patient because the Call Center may at times be overwhelmed with calls. Be prepared with your questions and take notes.

Are there age waivers to the age 40 cut off to be a chaplain?
1. For people with no prior military service - no.
2. People with prior service (with good years) have until one's 42nd birthday to take oath. An age waiver will be considered until the cut-off of the 45th birthday.
3. Chaplains of other military branches need to contact us.
4. Catholic priests need to contact us.
Is there an incentive bonus for chaplains?

Please contact Reserve Management Group for the most current guidance (478) 327-2331 or DSN 497-2331.

Can I apply with other branches of the military at the same time?

No, because significant time commitment is required from numerous individuals and agencies to process your application.

How do chaplains work with multiple faith groups?

Answer by Chaplain Paul Gunn: After reading, if you have more questions, please contact your endorser.

You are expected to remain true to your faith tradition and the expectations of your ecclesiastical endorser. The chapel space is a place for the free exercise of religion and free speech. Chaplains are expected to lead services and deliver messages in the same way they would with the civilian congregations of their faith tradition. In the day-to-day chaplain ministry, if someone needs something a chaplain cannot provide, an appropriate chaplain is sought. This is what we call religious accommodation. For example, in my faith tradition we do not baptize infants. If a family wanted their child baptized I would find a chaplain who would assist. Having said that, there are many things chaplains can do for people of any faith group without the chaplain compromising his or her convictions. Here are some personal examples:

· An airman of a faith tradition different than mine came to my office for counsel about a struggle in a relationship. He expressed he was satisfied with his faith. The nature of the discussion was not about faith.

· In another example, an airman who claimed to be an atheist sought my counsel on a job related matter. I listened to his concerns, shared my thoughts and sent him on his way. A year later he returned to my office to share with me he was no longer an atheist and had chosen the Christian faith. He thanked me for my counsel from the year before.

· I was asked to advise the base commander that Muslims may want to be excused from functions with food during the fasting days of Ramadan. He was grateful for my advice and sent a memo to supervisors.

In each of these cases, I was able to accommodate and did not compromise my beliefs.
Endorsers
Contact Us
- 1-478-327-1475
- 1-800-223-1784
- Fax: 478-327-0475

Chaplains, as visible reminders of the Holy, directly or indirectly provide for the free exercise of religion for Airmen, their families, and other authorized personnel. Chaplains do not perform duties incompatible with their faith group tenets, professional role, or noncombatant status. Chaplains do not serve in any military capacity other than those specific duties contained in the 52RX Specialty Description found in AFI 36-2101, Classifying Military Personnel.

Chaplain assistants facilitate the free exercise of religion for Airmen, their families, and other authorized personnel. They are assigned at all levels of command to facilitate spiritual care and ethical leadership. Chaplain assistants are vital to providing spiritual care and are exempt from performing additional duties or details that impede ministry accomplishment. The chaplain assistant specialty description is specified in AFI 36-2101, Classifying Military Personnel.

Social Media

"This exercise [provided] #Soldiers and #Airmen with opportunities to apply thei...

I am an American Airman... I defend my country with my life. #AFReserve http://...

Know anyone who might be interested? SHARE this with them or TAG them! #AFRese...

#MotivationMonday! Have a good week, everyone!

Did you know you can be a #Pararescueman in the #AFReserve? Tag someone who wou...

"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."- F....

Have you transitioned from active duty Air Force to the #AFReserve? Leave any ti...

“We are the smallest Air Force that we’ve ever been, and it takes each one of ou...

"Our mission is to move cargo, personnel, ammo, and vehicles from home station t...

afreserve.com/fb 800-257-1212

Dream big: http://bit.ly/2mUN3rx #AFReserve

Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do! Live these core ...

#FridayFlight! #C130

#FAQ: What's the age limit for those with prior service experience? ANSWER: If ...

If you have a question -- or LOTS of questions! -- don't hesitate to reach out! ...

Chaplain Candidate Program

This weekend thousands of men and women will not attend religious services at home. Instead, they choose to defend the freedoms of Americans, including the First Amendment which preserves our religious freedoms.

They need your help.

The Air Force Reserve is looking for qualified clergy to serve as chaplains. We are also looking for qualified seminary students to train as chaplain candidates.

The Air Force Reserve Chaplain Corps exists to ensure the free exercise of religion. We are a diverse community of faiths serving a pluralistic population while remaining true to our own faith traditions. We train chaplains and chaplain assistants to provide ministry to airmen and their families.

In order to respond effectively to national and international emergencies, the Air Force Reserve must maintain a high level of readiness at all times. Ministry that makes a difference requires us to be current on all training and to maintain a sense of urgency.

Your Air Force Reserve ministry will enhance your civilian ministry by: