ABOUT THE U.S. ARMY CHAPLAIN CORPS
What Is An Army Chaplain?
The Army Chaplain is a qualified religious leader dedicated to serving Soldiers and their Families. Chaplains provide ministry worldwide, accompanying Soldiers and their Families as they carry out their units’ missions in both peace and war. Chaplains are charged to nurture the living, care for the wounded and honor the fallen.
THE ARMY CHAPLAIN MISSION
A Chaplain’s mission is to bring Soldiers to God and God to Soldiers. America calls on our Army to fight and win our Nation’s wars and Army Chaplains are there every step of the way. Whether in training or operations, Army Chaplains represent hundreds of American denominations and faith traditions and fulfill a sacred calling of service captured in our motto, “Pro Deo et Patria” (for God and country). Join us and have a ministry that embodies global impact, builds up society through individual relationships, and serves others in something BIGGER THAN YOU EVER IMAGINED!
ARMY CHAPLAIN (FULL TIME -- ACTIVE DUTY)
Active duty Chaplains serve almost every type of unit, including Special Operations, infantry, aviation, intelligence, hospitals, prisons, cyber, and community ministries. The Chaplain Corps also offers select Chaplains advanced graduate degrees and specialized ministries in ethics, world religions, hospital ministry, and marriage and family counseling. You could be stationed in the United States, or in one of 180 countries around the world.
While Soldiers are at the heart of the Chaplain’s ministry, Chaplains are also responsible for the Soldier’s family. Family members often need spiritual encouragement, counseling and prayer. Through leading worship, preaching, administering the sacraments, or conducting retreats, Chaplains execute a rich and full ministry to the Army.
Army Chaplain - Part of a Team
All Army Chaplains are coupled with an enlisted Soldier, known as a Religious Affairs Specialist (RAS), formerly a Chaplain's Assistant. Together they form the Unit Ministry Team. This team performs and provides world-class religious support at every level of command in the Army. While the Chaplain is a non-combatant, the Religious Affairs Specialist is responsible for the security of the team, and is fully trained in Soldier tasks and religious support matters.
Army Chaplain - Faith Distinctive
Army Chaplains are expected to observe the distinctive doctrines of their own faith (and denomination) while also honoring the right of others to observe their own faith. The Army is a pluralistic environment. Rabbis, ministers, imams and priests serve our Soldiers with conviction and commitment. While serving their own faith groups in the Army, Chaplains also ensure and provide the means for others to observe their own faith in accordance with the United States Constitution.
ARMY CHAPLAIN (PART TIME – ARMY RESERVE OR ARMY NATIONAL GUARD)
You're already busy in the life of your faith community. You have a clear calling where you currently serve, but you want to serve your nation. Why not expand your ministry by serving part-time in our nation's Army Reserve or Army National Guard as an Army Chaplain?
Army Reserve Chaplaincy
The U.S. Army Reserve is the part-time force that provides essential capabilities to the Army, giving them added scale and scope to respond to challenges at home and abroad. As a Chaplain in the Army Reserve, you will be able to pursue a civilian ministry while you train near home and serve your community. You will spend one weekend a month on duty and two weeks a year in training.
Army National Guard Chaplaincy
The Army National Guard operates in all fifty states, the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C. As an Army National Guard Chaplain, you’ll serve part time in support of your community, state and country.
You will spend one weekend a month on duty and two weeks a year in training, while still maintaining a civilian ministry. The National Guard responds to domestic emergencies, such as floods and hurricanes and may be deployed into active duty to respond to a national crisis.
