U.S. Army Chaplains

A Message from Jay Sekulow...

2006-10-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

Battle lines are being drawn. Whose side will you be on? Please, please, please don't sit idly by on this issue. Join the ACLJ TODAY...

With elections coming, your church is at serious risk.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) and other similar groups are intimidating churches into silence on abortion, same-sex marriage, and other important moral issues - using a vague, half-century-old law.

The IRS can strip your church of its tax-exempt status - and force your church to pay taxes like a business - if someone complains that the church is involved in "politics"!

This is why it's urgently important that Congress pass the Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act.
Support the ACLJ as we march into Congress to protect our pastors' constitutional right of free speech by giving your secure online gift TODAY.

During this election season, AU is reportedly blanketing the nation with letters to more than 117,000 houses of worship, warning of the possibility of lawsuits - and the loss of tax-exempt status - for any churches where these issues are discussed.

They will do everything in their power to intimidate ministers into silence. They will try to scare people away from giving donations. And the IRS itself has announced it will be on the lookout for any church that gets involved in politics!

But who gave AU the authority to tell a pastor what he should or should not say from the pulpit? Who ordained AU as the "thought police"? This cuts against everything upon which our country was founded!
We must fight back. For the sake of your religious liberty, I urge you to give your immediate generous (and still tax-deductible!) online donation to the ACLJ.

The law must be changed. It violates the First Amendment rights of people of faith. For 52 years, the IRS has been free to "watchdog" America's houses of worship ... and their censorship of First Amendment free speech rights has often been discriminatory - with AU as their search-and-destroy squad.

With only a few exceptions, AU tends to challenge conservative churches - and leave liberal churches alone.

Remember seeing TV coverage of Senator John Kerry holding the equivalent of political rallies in big liberal churches? Americans United hardly blinked.

But let a minister speak out about the sanctity of life, or the institution of marriage, or any other moral issue from a conservative, biblical standpoint - and AU swings into action.

(AU has filed complaints with the IRS against an Arkansas pastor whose 4th of July sermon called on Christians to vote. They have complained to the IRS about a Catholic diocese in Colorado whose bishop called on parishioners to vote against candidates who favored abortion, stem-cell research, or euthanasia. And the list goes on.)

The constitutional free speech rights of every minister must be preserved. This is why the ACLJ helped Congressman Walter Jones and other members of Congress to draft the Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act, and why we are working hard to get a vote on it. We are committed to seeing this bill passed.

But we need your help. Give right now to help the ACLJ's legal and legislative efforts to ensure those rights - and to see passage of the Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act.

Your gift will enable us to move forward on this vital issue and continue all of our work across the nation: preparing briefs for the Supreme Court of the United States, fighting for the unborn, protecting your religious liberties, and more.

So please act now. When conservative ministers duck the same-sex marriage issue in their sermons for fear of their churches losing tax-exempt status - when Christian action groups withdraw into a shell as Election Day approaches - when even devout Catholic priests are afraid to talk about abortion - it's time for a change!

HELP US GET A NEW LAW PASSED TO PROTECT YOUR CHURCH and ensure your own free speech rights. Thank you for taking action on this immediately, for the cause of freedom.

A Victory for All Chaplains!

2006-10-04T05:34:00.000-07:00

This article was written by Jay Sekulow of ACLJ just this week. It declares a victory for all Chaplains, regardless of religious tradition...But it is especially meaningful for people like myself who are evangelical Christians. Let there be no doubt, the forces of evil will continue to wage war against both Christians in specific and uniformed Chaplains in general. That bizarre notion of "separation of Church and State" is going to be used as a weapon, but we must bear in mind that this phrase is the equivalent of a blunt sword--The only reason the phrase is effective is because the real history of the phrase is not made known in the process. The average American on the streets has no idea what it means, but in blissful ignorance, will be willing to accept whatever the Liberal Media declares it means. It sounds good, and it sounds authentic, but all it really means is that the government itself has no right to form a State-sponsored Church in which the people are forced to worship as the government sees fit. If you want to know what that looks like, just do a little research about countries like North Korea.

Those who oppose Christianity are always going to cry foul when they learn that uniformed Chaplains are being given rank and pay and benefits while serving as clergymen/women in the United States military.

This morning, I also read an article by Christopher Hitchens, a prolific writer for "Vanity Fair" magazine. Hitchens article, titled "G.I. Jesus" railed against the decision that Sekulow describes below, and Hitchens encourages military officers to prohibit Chaplains from praying at official military proceedings.

Here's how Hitchens begins his article, which will give you a pretty great idea where he's going with this non-sense:

"That was a very narrow and underreported squeak in Congress last Friday. For some while, the vote on the nation's defense budget was held up by a preposterous wrangle over the rights and duties of military chaplains. Now, a reluctant compromise has been reached, and the National Defense Authorization Act of 2007 has been passed in time for the House and Senate to leave town. But imagine how the media might have covered this argument if it had taken place in an Islamic republic: Lawmakers arguing seriously over how much religious instruction and rhetoric should be permitted in the ranks and how explicitly monotheistic that instruction and rhetoric ought to be. See how these primitive societies lack our freedom and tolerance!"

Hitchens continues with the following:

"The contested proposal had come from three conservative Republican House members: Todd Akin of Missouri, Randy Forbes of Virginia, and Walter Jones of North Carolina, all of whom wanted military chaplains to be able to specify the name of Jesus when offering prayers. They felt that nondenominational invocations were not enough, and that identifiably Christian views should be available from identifiably Christian pastors. At the very last moment, they agreed to withdraw this proposal (which was supported by Focus on the Family and other evangelical groups). But they did so in exchange for a deal, whereby the Air Force and Navy "guidelines" on religious expression are to be abrogated. This compromise is in many ways worse than the original proposal that sectarian observances be financed, in our armed forces, by public money.
To refresh your memory: The guidelines were imposed after the disclosure in 2004 of an atmosphere of religious coercion at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. It was asserted by staff members, alumni, and cadets of the academy that evangelical propagandists were harassing agnostic and Jewish cadets and insisting that only those who accepted Jesus as a personal savior were fit to serve. The deputy commander of the academy, who one might have thought would have more pressing duties in time of war, sent out e-mails proselytizing for a national day of (Christian) prayer. A chaplain named MeLinda Morton, who complained about this bizarre state of affairs, was abruptly transferred to a distant base in Japan. Rep. Steve Israel, a New York Democrat and member of the House armed services committee, was made aware of what was going on and managed to raise enough hell about it to get it—temporarily, as it now seems—stopped. (One can imagine the expressions on the faces of the Colorado Springs crusaders when they learned the name of this lawmaker.) Over the weekend, Rep. Israel said that while the latest compromise fell short of endorsing specifically denominational activity, it nonetheless reopened 'old loopholes that permitted some acts of coercion and proselytizing.'"

Hitchens goes on to say that the American people are at war with theocracy, and that they have the Constitution on their side. I don't believe the Constitution is on the side of Hitchens and his ilk, but if it comes right down to it, I'd prefer to have God on my side any day.

Hitchens also later accuses Chaplains of being a "clear and present danger to the national defense"--And he says we should be treated as such.

I would have copied and pasted Hitchens entire article here, but most of his writing is a big, fat waste of time. As a matter of fact, I read his article this morning, after doing my morning Bible reading in the Book of Romans, and now, thanks to Hitchens, I feel dirty all over again.

Hitchens, by the way, is a Darwinian evolutionist and an atheist, and though he is a conservative in terms of his politics, his theology is waaaayyy off. Anyone who thinks that all the problems in the world could be solved if you got rid of religion could use some re-education of his own.

Where do these writers come from? Why do they waste all their time publishing their opinions? Clearly, there are some deeper issues here that need to be analyzed. The Bible tells us that the unrighteous suppress the Truth in their unrighteousness. It also says that the god of this age (Satan / the Spirit of Antichrist) has blinded the people of this age. Let us pray that the power of the Holy Spirit gives people like Mr. Hitchens illuminates the darkness and allows him to see the Truth.

Just remember, if God is for us--and He most certainly is--who can possibly be against us?

Anyways, now that we've gotten the opposing viewpoint well out of the way, let me proceed with Jay Sekulow's discussion of our victory. I guess that means I saved the best for last...

Everything that follows was written by Jay Sekulow and published on his site. Let us continue to pray for Jay as he continues to fight to preserve our God-given, Constitutionally-guaranteed rights.

For the past year and a half, our Office of Government Affairs at the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ) has been working on behalf of military chaplains throughout the country and around the world in order to protect their right of freedom of speech. Regulations issued in 2000 and 2005 by the military significantly curtailed the ability of chaplains to pray according to the dictates of their conscience. This issue became so significant that chaplains began contacting our office and the offices of Congressman Walter Jones and others expressing their concern over this censorship. In case after case, chaplains were told not to pray in Jesus’ name or to refrain from using a “specific deity.” It reached such a point of concern that legislation was necessary to end this censorship and discrimination.
Our Government Affairs team, as well as our senior attorneys at the ACLJ, worked with Congressmen Walter Jones, Todd Akin, and Duncan Hunter to draft language into the Defense Authorization Bill that would protect the chaplains’ right to pray. As you can imagine, groups on the left opposed chaplains’ free speech initiatives. Nevertheless, the United States House of Representatives’ leadership stood firm on this issue. The legislation passed overwhelmingly in the House and was on its way for approval when a roadblock appeared in the United States Senate. We mobilized our members from around the country to demand that these chaplains be protected. By radio, television and email, we pursued an aggressive strategy to protect the right of military chaplains to pray. Despite the Senate roadblock, I am happy to report a major victory for our chaplains.
While the Senate did not adopt the language that we helped negotiate from the House of Representatives, they did put a provision in the bill which rolled back the existing regulations that have served as the basis for the censorship. These regulations issued by the Air Force and the Navy became the foundation from which these acts of censorship took place. In a temporary victory, Congress rolled back those regulations that were causing the difficulty for the chaplains and reinstated earlier regulations that were more protective of the free exercise of religion. Congress also said that they will visit this issue fully in January when the new Congress returns. We anticipate major hearings on these issues. In the interim, we have a victory for our chaplains, but this is only the first phase of this engagement. Next will be the major hearings before the United States House and Senate and permanent legislation to protect chaplains’ right. As Congressman Todd Akin pointed out in his press release:
“I am happy that we have taken a step towards restoring the freedom that our military chaplains ought to enjoy,” said Akin. “The Navy and Air Force regulations that we are striking prevented chaplains from praying according to their faith and conscience, whether they were Muslim, Christian, Jewish or of any other faith.”
“While I would have liked stronger language protecting the religious freedom of chaplains, this legislation is a first step forward in protecting the First Amendment rights of chaplains and all the men and women serving our country in the military,” said Akin.
I concur with Congressman Akin and am pleased that we have this temporary victory for our United States Military chaplains.

Honoring the Dead

2006-10-02T04:41:00.000-07:00

The International War on Terror has been successful...But it, like many wars in previous U.S. history, has not been without its fair share of casualties. Death is not something to be taken light of, but it is, unfortunately, a reality of war.

A great deal of the deaths just this year are within the Special Operations community (Special Operations aviation units, Army Special Forces, Army Rangers, etc.) I am including this list of fallen Special Operations soldiers as a memorial to them, as a means of remembering that, if we do not stay the course, their deaths may very well be in vain.

These men are heroes in the purest sense of the word. They did not simply make sacrifices, they made the Ultimate Sacrifice: they laid down their own lives for the country that they loved. The country that we love.

My friend and mentor Charlie Robinson's name is included on this list. He was a Captain in the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He and his driver were killed by an I.E.D. in Afghanistan just last year.

When I first learned of Charlie's death, it hit me extremely hard--even harder than when I learned of my own Grandfather's death. I remember trying to tell my Mom about it, only to find myself so overcome with emotion I was rendered completely unable to speak. I was forced to thrust the magazine containing the information into her hands while I tried--in vain--to compose myself. Knowing that his beautiful young wife Laura was suddenly a widow was almost too much to bear.

I think of Charlie's death every single day. It drives me to do what God has called me to do, despite the hardships of seminary life and the sometimes overwhelming desire to find something easier than the ministry. It gives me the focus that I need.

Below, I have given a list of the Special Forces personnel who have died in the War on Terror. This is a tribute to them, a memorial.

May God grant comfort to their friends and loved ones.

May they rest in peace...

The Army Special Operations Command added 49 names of soldiers killed this year in Iraq and Afghanistan to its memorial wall, as well as the one who was killed last year but not added to the wall then.

Afghanistan

(Operation Enduring Freedom)

Staff Sgt. Leroy E. Alexander, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
Sgt. 1st Class Victor H. Cervantes, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
Capt. Jeremy A. Chandler, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
Staff Sgt. Edwin H. DazaChacon, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
Master Sgt. Emigdio E. Elizarraras, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Falkel, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
Pfc. Damian J. Garza, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
Staff Sgt. Shamus O. Goare, 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
Sgt. 1st Class Chad A. Gonsalves, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
Chief Warrant Officer Corey J. Goodnature, 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
Pvt. John M. Henderson Jr., 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
Sgt. Kip A. Jacoby, 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
Sgt. 1st Class Allen C. Johnson, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
1st Sgt. Tobias C. Meister, 321st Civil Affairs Brigade, San Antonio, Texas.
Sgt. Alberto D. Montrond, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
Sgt. 1st Class Marcus V. Muralles, 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
Staff Sgt. Clinton T. Newman, 321st Civil Affairs Brigade, San Antonio, Texas.
Sgt. 1st Class James S. Ochsner, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
Sgt. Jason T. Palmerton, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
Staff Sgt. Christopher N. Piper, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
Sgt. 1st Class James "Tre" Ponder, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
Maj. Stephen C. Reich, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
Capt. Charles D. Robinson, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.
Sgt. 1st Class Christopher L. Robinson, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, Elliott, Miss.
Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
Chief Warrant Officer Chris J. Scherkenbach, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Iraq

(Operation Iraqi Freedom)

Master Sgt. Joseph J. Andres Jr., Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg.
Staff Sgt. Ricardo Barraza, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Sgt. Dale G. Brehm, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.
Sgt. 1st Class Lance S. Cornett, Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg.
Sgt. 1st Class Trevor John Diesing, Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg.
Maj. Gregory J. Fester, 322nd CA Bde., Fort Shafter, Hawaii.
Staff Sgt. Gary R. Harper Jr., 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Ky.
Master Sgt. Robert M. Horrigan, Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg.
Master Sgt. Ivica Jerak, Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg.
Pfc. Dillon M. Jutras, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Kimmell, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Ky.
Sgt. 1st Class Obediah J. Kolath, Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg.
Sgt. 1st Class Steven M. Langmack, Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg.
Cpl. George A. Lutz II, 9th Psychological Operations Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group, Fort Bragg.
Master Sgt. Michael L. McNulty, Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg.
Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence E. Morrison, Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, Fort Bragg.
Sgt. Regina C. Reali, 351st Civil Affairs Command, Mountain View, Calif.
Cpl. Timothy M. Shea, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
Staff Sgt. Ayman A. Taha, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Ky.
Maj. Jeffrey P. Toczylowski, 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group, Panzer Kaserne, Germany.
Sgt. 1st Class Brett E. Walden, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Ky.
Sgt. Cheyenne C. Willey, 351st Civil Affairs Command, Mountain View, Calif.
Master Sgt. Anthony Ray Charles Yost, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg.

All gave some. Some gave all. May they rest in peace with the thanks of a grateful nation. And may they always be remembered for the heros they are.

Sign this petition NOW!!!

2006-10-01T19:23:00.000-07:00

Last week, I listed to the radio program of Jay Sekulow of the American Center for Law and Justice. He was talking about the fierce battle being waged over the issue of Chaplains' rights--Specifically, the Christian Chaplains' rights to pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. I hadn't really thought much of this issue since debating it (fiercely!) at the Chaplain Officers Basic Course at Fort Jackson, S.C. this past summer. I took Jay's advice to heart, and I take his call to arms / action seriously. For that purpose, I'm beginning a more aggressive campaign, using this site, to rally my like-minded troops...

If the links don't work below, don't fret. Just visit the American Center for Law and Justice's site at https://www.aclj.org/Petition/Default.aspx?SC=3197&AC=1

Copy and paste the above web address and/or visit the ACLJ site for more detailed info. This is a topic of great controversy within the Chaplain Corps right now, and we cannot afford to stand idly by while activist judges steal away our God-given, Constitutionally-guaranteed rights.

Add your name to the group of 51953 people who have already signed using the Internet! Let Our Military Chaplains PRAY FREELY in Jesus' name!

Today, the future of a chaplain's right to pray freely still hangs in the balance. We must do all we can to ensure that this right is not taken away! Our U.S. military chaplains do so much, even risking their lives for the safety and security of our country. Let's take a stand for them today. Please read the form below carefully and declare your membership with the ACLJ by signing the Petition to Protect Military Prayer below.

Petition to Protect Military Prayer
To All Members of the United States Senate

"Military chaplains have served our nation faithfully for well over 200 years. Many have suffered and some have even died in the line of duty. Meanwhile, our men and women in uniform have benefited greatly by having the full and free ministry of chaplains available to them. To censor the prayers of chaplains in their ministry to our servicemen and women is an outrage; yet this is an immediate possibility unless Congress passes legislation protecting our chaplains from such restrictions. Unfortunately, there are strong forces at work in our country which would advocate such restrictions. So we urge you strongly to give your full support to the legal protection of our chaplains to pray according to the dictates of their conscience."

Please click here to print a copy.

Please click here to print a copy with spaces for multiple signatures.

The Four "Immortal" Chaplains

2006-10-01T19:11:00.000-07:00

A convoy of three ships and three escorting Coast Guard cutters passed through "torpedo alley" some 100 miles off the coast of Greenland at about 1 a.m. on February 3, 1943. The submarine U-223 fired three torpedoes, one of which hit the midsection of the Dorchester, a U.S. Army troopship with more than 900 men on board. Ammonia and oil were everywhere in the fast-sinking vessel and upon the freezing sea.

The four Chaplains on board, two Protestant pastors, a Catholic priest and a Jewish rabbi, were among the first on deck, calming the men and handing out life jackets. When they ran out, they took off their own and placed them on waiting soldiers without regard to faith or race. Approximately 18 minutes from the explosion, the ship went down. They were the last to be seen by witnesses; they were standing arm-in-arm on the hull of the ship, each praying in his own way for the care of the men. Almost 700 died, making it the third largest loss at sea of its kind for the United States during World War II. The Coast Guard Cutter Tampa was able to escort the other freighters to Greenland. Meanwhile the cutters Comanche and Escanaba, disobeying orders to continue the seach for the German U-Boat, stopped to rescue 230 men from the frigid waters that night.

The four Chaplains were Father John Washington (Catholic), Reverend Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed), Rabbi Alexander Goode (Jewish) and Rev. George Fox (Methodist). These four Chaplains were later honored by the Congress and Presidents. They were recognized for their selfless acts of courage, compassion and faith. According to the First Sergeant on the ship, "They were always together, they carried their faith together." They demonstrated throughout the voyage and in their last moments, interfaith compassion in their relationship with the men and with each other. In 1960 Congress created a special Congressional Medal of Valor, never to be repeated again, and gave it to the next of kin of the "Immortal Chaplains."

Up-Coming Promotion Board

2006-10-01T19:05:00.000-07:00

As many of you now know, the promotion boards are coming up soon. I, along with several others, have received e-mails stating that we are being considered for promotion to the rank of Captain. If anyone has already begun the process of completing your promotion packet, please feel free to comment with some tips for the unitiated / uninformed. I understand that the Chaplain Candidates who have put in their promotion paperwork in recent years have a whopping 100% success rate for promotion to Captain. This is cause for real optimism, but there's not much time left. Only five weeks to go until the promotion board meets on November 7th.

Rangers' Bible...?

2006-10-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

While surfing the Web today, researching about the Chaplains who serve the Army's elite 75th Ranger Regiment, I came across a quote about a so-called "Rangers' Bible," supposedly distributed by the Chaplaincy Department. I've now initiated a search for these Bibles, hoping they'd be available for sale somewhere. I have no idea what translation this is, nor do I know for certain that they are available for retail sale. One way or the other, I do know I want one, and badly. If anyone knows where I can obtain a copy of "The Rangers' Bible," please let me know. Should I not receive any feedback concerning this question of mine, I may have to contact the Chief of Chaplains Office or perhaps the Regimental Chaplain for the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Invitation to Lunch for Chaplain Candidates

2006-09-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

Attention! Any and all Chaplain Candidates in the Kentuckiana area, please take note: Chaplain Dukes at Fort Knox is working with USAREC (the U.S. Army Recruiting Command) and would like to take candidates and any seminary friends to lunch.

If you are interested or know of any folks who might be, his contact info is: Hugh and Linda Dukes (h.dukes@insightbb.com), cell (502) 424-3181. If you'd prefer not to contact Chaplain Dukes directly, just notify me at nathan.german@us.army.mil. I'll be sure to pass the info on to Chaplain Dukes and /or Chaplain Harlow.

Just for my records, who is the current leader of the Ministers to the Military group at Southern Seminary? I'll be honest--I have no idea, and I'm starting to wonder if the group is still up and running...

Scholarships for Chaplain Candidates

2006-04-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

Hey! I stumbled onto this information while doing a perfectly random web search. Hope this information comes in handy...

Looking towards a Career as a Military Chaplain?

MCA Chaplain Candidate Scholarships

One way the Military Chaplains Association "speaks with a professional voice" is through support for training the next generation of chaplains. Each year, we provide scholarships to seminary students who are currently serving as chaplain candidates in the Air Force, Army, or Navy. This MCA program was established in 1992. Since then, we have helped fifty-three chaplain candidates with a total of $106,000 in aid. Funds to support our annual scholarship awards come from donations by individuals, Chapel Funds, Chiefs of Chaplains Funds, and contributions made through the Combined Federal Campaign (#2118).

Are You Preparing for Ministry as a Military Chaplain?

For the Academic Year 2006-2007, the MCA will award Chaplain Candidate Scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each. The number of awards is determined every year by our Scholarship Committee depending on available funds and the number of applications. The application period is from 1 March through 30 May 2006. Eligibility requirements are:

Full time enrollment in an accredited seminary.

Ecclesiastical endorsement for future ministry as a military chaplain.

Appointment and active service as a "Chaplain Candidate" in one of the Armed Services (Air Force, Army, or Navy)

Completion of the MCA Chaplain Candidate Scholarship application form and submission of all requirements which must be received in the MCA National Office by 30 May 2006.

Application Procedures:

The application form and instruction letter is available by clicking on this link.

You will need to print out the form, follow the instructions, and submit the form along with the required attachments to the MCA office at the address tiven on the form.
2005-2006 Scholarship Recipients

Click here to view presentations published in the January-February 2006 issue of The Military Chaplain.

Track Workouts

2006-04-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

For all those Chaplain Candidates in the Louisville area, you're probably trying to get into good running shape for CHOBC in the summer...Or even the physical challenges of being on active-duty. If you're looking for a good running workout, you may want to consider joining us on Tuesday nights at 7:00 at Waggener High School. Larry Holt, the owner of Ken C9mbs Running Store, organizes all participants into ability groups, and he ensures that the workouts are productive. For more information, call 895-3410. See you there!

Special Forces Chaplains

2006-03-31T09:16:00.000-08:00

Throughout my intensive Internet searches, I have endeavored to track down any and all information I possibly can about the U.S. Army's Special Forces. Despite my very best efforts, I can find very little information about the Chaplains that serve the various Special Forces Groups. If anyone knows how I can go about requesting assignment as a Chaplain to a Special Forces Group, whether at Fort Campbell, Fort Bragg, or otherwise, please be sure to let me know.

Chaplain Candidate Games

2006-03-06T12:11:00.000-08:00

Right now, there are some ideas floating around regarding how to build better unit integrity and esprit de corps within the ranks of Chaplain Candidates, especially those at Southern Seminary and Louisville Seminary. One outstanding idea is to host a type of Olympic-style event in order to showcase the physical athleticism of Chaplain Candidates (which would also serve to establish rivalries between the Chaplain Candidates of the various branches or even establish rivalries between the different schools.) Personally, I'd love to see the Army's Chaplain Candidates square off with the Air Force's and the Navy's.

If you have any ideas regarding how to best put on this type of competition, if you know of a quality venue, or if you just want to compete, please be sure to let me know.

Of course, you can't compete at all unless you're already a Chaplain Candidate. If you want to become a U.S. Army Chaplain Candidate, give SFC Jamille Phillips a phone call at 1-888-390-5751.

Shout out to Southern Seminary!

2006-02-23T14:29:00.000-08:00

I just want to take a moment to thank all of the Southern Seminary students who stopped by to visit with Sergeant First Class Phillips or attended the pizza party last week. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has always done a great job in supporting the U.S. military by providing future Chaplains. It makes me soooo proud to know that SBTS maintained that standard once again. Sergeant Phillips knows that his success rate for finding recruits is much, much lower on other, more liberal campuses, and he arrived this time loaded with optimism regarding his three day stay in the Louisville area. You guys did a great job in extending the right hand of Christian fellowship, and I know you sent Sergeant Phillips away with a great deal of satisfaction. For those of you that didn't get a chance to stop by and meet Sergeant Phillips, that's okay. You can still talk to him at anytime by hitting him up on his cell phone, at 1-888-390-5751. If you want to speak to someone a little closer to home, a fellow student, you can e-mail ME at Chaplain_German@yahoo.com. I'm on campus ALL THE TIME, and I'd love to sit down and talk with you about opportunities in the United States Army. I've already "been there, done that," so I'll tell it to you straight. I can tell you the pros, and the cons, and I won't put a ton of pressure on you to sign on the dotted line or anything. The most I'll ask you to do is pay for my coffee, cause I'm always broke (just kidding!)

SFC Phillips, Chaplain Recruiter, Visits Louisville!

2006-02-09T12:25:00.000-08:00

It is with great pleasure than I announce the return to Louisville of one of my dearest friends: Sergeant First Class Jamille A. Phillips.

If you are a student at Boyce College, JCC, Sullivan University, the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the University of Kentucky, or any other local school I failed to mention here...Please, please, please come out to Southern Seminary to meet SFC Phillips and discuss opportunities in the United States Army Chaplain Corps. SFC Phillips is a far cry from the stereo-typical, in-your-face recruiters your dad warned you about. He's personable, he's knowledgeable, and he's always here to help.

If you'd like to speak to SFC Phillips in advance of his visit, please contact him at 1-888-390-5751. If he doesn't answer, leave a voice mail message with your name, phone number, and a brief message regarding the nature of your call, and he'll get back to you as soon as possible.

The following information was pulled from Southern Seminary's web-page:

"U. S. Army Chaplaincy representative Sergeant Jamille Phillips will be on campus February 13-16 to speak with students interested in learning about Army Chaplaincy and Chaplain Candidate opportunities, both reserve and active duty. Sgt. Phillips will be in the Campus Post Office Lobby to speak with interested students on a drop-by basis. On February 16, Sergeant Phillips will also host a Pizza Dinner for anyone interested in learning about chaplaincy opportunities. Persons interested in attending the dinner should contact the Ministry Referral Office (897-4616) by February 15 to make reservations."

1LT German OUT.

What is a "Chaplain"? The Wikipedia break-down...

2006-01-26T06:47:00.000-08:00

"Chaplain"

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from Military chaplain)

A chaplain is typically a member of the clergy serving a group of people who are not organized as a mission or church, lay chaplains are also found in some settings such as universities. For example a chaplain is often attached to a military unit (often known as padre), a private chapel, a ship, a prison, a hospital, a college or other (especially boarding) school, even a parliamentary assembly and so on.

Favored theories of the derivation of the term relate to the relic cloak (capa or capella) of St. Martin of Tours or from the Latin term Capellanus.
In various languages, the word equivalent to Almoner (e.g. Aumonier in French, Aalmoezenier in Dutch - but also Kapelaan with the military) is used in many instances where English uses chaplain, sometimes there are still other terms (e.g. also Proost, otherwise equivalent to Provost, in Dutch).

1 Origins
2 Court
3 Military
3.1 United States Armed Forces Roman Catholic Chaplains
3.2 Noncombatant status
3.3 Badges and Insignia
4 Various Non-Military
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

Origins:
History records various 'equivalents' from ancient Assyria onwards, sometimes redered as 'chaplains', but such anachronistic term has no real meaning.
In the Old Testament book of Joshua, Levite priests accompany the Israelites' military and political expedition into Israel; carrying the Ark of the Covenant and playing a major role in the goodwill of military matters. While these priests cannot be considered "chaplains" with the current meaning, their role as spiritual aides provides a model for modern chaplains to rely upon.
Originally a Christian chaplain had a function of serving as an aide to a bishop and various chaplains still help the pope in his ecclesiastical duties. In other circumstances their duties were limited to saying a mass in certain functions. In many catholic parishes the curate has (or had, manpower is usually to low for such luxury) one or more younger priests, styled Chaplains, attached to him, under his ordinary jurisdiction.

Court:
Many historical monarchies and major noble houses also had or still have one or often several 'private' chaplains, either following them or attached to a castle or other residence which generally had at least one 'chapel', sometimes as grand as a cathedral (as St.Georges chapel in Windsor castle, also the 'home' of the Order of the Garter).

As in feudal times most laymen, for centuries even most noblemen, were poorly or not educated, this literate clergy was often employed as advisers and secretarial staff (as in a chancery) until the advent of legists and proper bureaucratic civil service (mainly under Absolutism), hence the term clerk derived from Latin clericus ('clergyman'), making them very influential in temporal affairs as well the moral impact as hearing the confession of the elite.

Military:
The first English military-oriented chaplains appeared during the reign of King Edward I, although their duties included jobs that today would come under the jurisdiction of military engineers and medical officers. A priest attached to a feudal noble household would follow his liege lord into battle. In 1796 the Parliament of Great Britain passed a Royal Warrant that established the Royal Army Chaplains' Department in the British Army.

The current form of military chaplain dates from the era of the First World War. A chaplain conducts religious services in the field and tries to maintain morale. In the British Armed Forces, chaplains are traditionally referred to (and addressed) as padres.

In the Royal Navy chaplains have no rank other than "chaplain." They are identified by a unique cap badge (similar to an officer's, but with gold-rimmed black leaves instead of solid gold ones), and their rank insignia is an anchor superimposed over a cross. In under to remain accessible to all (chaplains are as "a friend to all"), a chaplain assumes the rank of whoever they are counselling (ie, they are effectively a Commander when speaking to a Commander, and an Able Rating when speaking to such).

Christianity is not the only faith to have chaplain-equivalent positions. Other religions, such as Judaism or Islam, may also provide chaplains for military service. In the United States Air Force, the Air Force Religious Pin recognizes chaplains from four of the major religious faiths. The British Armed Forces traditionally only employed Christian and Jewish chaplains; the appointment of chaplains from other faith groups occurred for the first time in October 2005.
Chaplains are nominated in different ways in different countries. A military chaplain can be an army-trained soldier with additional theological training or a priest nominated to the army by religious authorities. In Britain, the Ministry of Defence employs the chaplains but their authority comes from the church. British military chaplains are trained by the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre at Amport House.

In France, the existence of military chaplains has come under debate because of the separation of Church and State; however, their position has been maintained as of 2004.[1]

United States Armed Forces Roman Catholic Chaplains:
The United States Armed Forces are served by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. This Archdiocese oversees all the Catholic chaplains in the Armed Forces. Catholic Chaplains can serve in the Army, Navy, or Air Force.

In the United States, Catholic Priests are required to seek permission from their diocesean Bishop or religious superior to be released from parish or other diocesean work for at least three years. Candidates are given medical examinations to see if they would be healthy enough to serve. They are also required to fill out an application, and have letters of recommendation. The findings are presented to a board which evalulates each candidate. The application process usually takes from two to six months to complete.

Noncombatant status:
Chaplains are nominally noncombatants under the Geneva Conventions. Still, many of them have died in the field due to a stray bullet, during bombing or artillery barrage. Many have been decorated for bravery in action (and five have even won Britain's highest award for gallantry, the Victoria Cross). The Chaplain's Medal for Heroism is a special military decoration of the United States of America which honors military chaplains who have been killed in the line of duty, although it has to date only been awarded to four chaplains (who all died in the same incident in 1943).

Some Chaplains also break the Geneva Conventions and act as combatants, usually only if and when the situation warrants itself. Examples of this include such incidents as recorded by Chaplain (then Captain) James D. Johnson, of the 9th Infantry Division, Mobile Riverine Force in Vietnam. In his work Combat Chaplain: A Thirty-Year Vietnam Battle, Johnson explains his "unofficial training" with the M-16 assault rifle and Colt 1911 .45 caliber pistol, as well as carrying the M-16 while embedded with a combat patrol. While this is the exception rather than the rule, chaplains, like other noncombatants (including medics) have been recorded as breaking the Conventions under extenuating circumstances.

Badges and Insignia:
Military Chaplains are accorded officer status. In most navies, their badges and insignia do not differentiate their levels of responsibility and status. By contrast, in Air Forces and Armies, they typically carry ranks and are differentiated by crosses or other equivalent religious insignia. However, United States military chaplains of every branch carry both rank and Chaplain Corps insignia.

Chaplain's badges and insignia follow this general pattern (taken from the Royal Australian Navy):

A gilt cross is worn by chaplains of all Christian denominations and worn in the same manner as specialist badges.

A chaplain’s cap badge is of the same design as an officer’s cap badge except that the laurel leaves are embroidered in black silk, edged and veined in gold. The peak of the cap is covered with black cloth.

A clerical collar stock and/or black military style clerical shirt may be worn instead of white shirt and tie (including dress shirt and bow tie for evening wear.)

The badge worn by chaplains on shoulder boards consists of a gold embroidered foul anchor on a Maltese cross of embroidered silver. This is similar, in embroidery, for soft rank insignia for shirts.

Honorary Chaplains to the Sovereign wear a red cassock and a special bronze badge consisting of the Royal Cypher and crown within an oval wreath. The badge is worn above medal ribbons or miniature medals during the conduct of religious services. On the left side of the scarf by chaplains, who wear the scarf and on academic or ordinary clerical dress by other chaplains.

Various Non-Military
Chaplains also can be attached to emergency services agencies (see the International Conference of Police Chaplains or the Federation of Fire Chaplains), educational institutions like universities and colleges, scout troops, ships, places like hospitals, prisons or nightclubs, and on occasion private companies and corporations. Chaplains also serve in hospice programs and retirement centers. The term can also refer to priests attached to Roman Catholic convents.

Many hospitals and hospices employ chaplains to assist with the spiritual needs of patients, families and staff. In the United States, healthcare chaplains are typically educated through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education and may be certified by one of the following organizations:The Association of Professional Chaplains, The National Association of Catholic Chaplains, or The National Association of Jewish Chaplains. In Canada, they may be certified by the Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education. Certification typically requires a Masters of Divinity degree, faith group ordination or commissioning, faith group endorsement, and four units (1600 hours) of Clinical Pastoral Education.

Even some large businesses employ chaplains for their staff and/or clientele. The National Institute of Business and Industrial Chaplains is one of the agencies that certify chaplains for business settings in the United States.

The North American Mission Board (NAMB) Info for Southern Baptists

2006-01-26T06:40:00.000-08:00

Military Chaplaincy ... exists to provide military personnel and their families religious programs through which a person may exercise their right of freedom of religion. The military depends upon all faith groups to provide theologically trained, spiritually motivated, and qualified ministers to serve as chaplains to military components.

SBC chaplains have served in all major conflicts for over 150 years. Following this rich tradition, Southern Baptist ministers today serve with all components of the nation’s military. Military chaplaincy commitments range from full-time employment to volunteer service.

Active Duty: Military personnel and families endure frequent transfers from one installation to another. As a result, they are often isolated and limited in active involvement in SBC churches. Southern Baptist chaplains serving on full-time active duty help bridge the gap by providing ministry in places where pastors cannot go and where no Southern Baptist churches exist. Chaplains become extensions of the church.

The ministry of a military chaplain is similar to that of the pastor. In addition to being a preacher, teacher, counselor, and administrator, the chaplain serves on the commander’s staff as chief advisor on religion, morals, morale, and ethical issues within the command. Active duty chaplaincy is a full-time employment ministry.

Reserves/National Guard/Civil Air Patrol: Ministers engaged in full-time ministry within the SBC may be qualified to serve as chaplains to Reserve, National Guard, and Civil Air Patrol units. As an adjunct to their full-time pastorate, these chaplains are affiliated with a military unit. This relationship enhances their church’s outreach and ministry. Ministers who serve both churches and the military are extending the churches’ mission activities to environments that otherwise might go unreached. These chaplains serve in part-time chaplaincy ministry.

Chaplain Candidate: The Chaplain Candidate Program was developed to provide qualified and competent chaplains for active duty, Reserves, and National Guard. This program affords a firsthand look at responsibilities and opportunities for ministry within the military chaplaincy and assists students in making vocational choices. Ministerial students interested in military chaplaincy should enter the Chaplain Candidate Program early in their seminary studies.

Basic Qualifications/Requirements for Endorsement:

Reserves/National Guard:
1. An undergraduate degree of not less than 120 semester hours from an accredited college or university.
2. A Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from an accredited seminary (minimum of 72 graduate semester hours in theology).
3. A principal vocation in full-time ministry within the SBC.
NOTE: Minimum requirements for denominational endorsement to active duty military service are two years of full-time ministry experience in the SBC or a combination of four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in an accredited CPE center and one year in full-time ministry in the SBC.
4. Maximum age of 40 (unless there is prior service). Additional age requirements vary by branch of service and entry program.
5. A personal interview with a representative of the Chaplaincy Evangelism Team.
6. Physical fitness examination as required for commissioned officers.

Chaplain Candidate Program:
1. Enrolled full-time in the M.Div. degree program in an accredited theological seminary.
2. Membership in good standing in a Southern Baptist church.
3. Physical examination as required for commissioned officers.
4. Age requirements as established by the military service.

Receive money for seminary!

2006-01-26T06:39:00.000-08:00

By joining the Army National Chaplain Candidate Program, you will get a head start on Army Chaplain training as well as all the benefits of being an Army Officer while still in seminary. You can receive up to $4,500 every year during seminary to help toward tuition costs. If you choose to do this, your obligation is for four years of service in the Army National Guard.
Your only other obligation is that you seek ordination and ecclesiastical endorsement within three years of finishing seminary and meet the Chaplain Candidate requirements.

Basic Training? Well, no...Not exactly.

2006-01-26T06:34:00.000-08:00

Chaplains do not go through Basic Training. Instead, they attend the Chaplain Officer Basic Course (CHOBC), which is a 12-week course taught at Fort Jackson, S.C. It will provide you with an introduction to the non-combatant common core skills, Army writing and Chaplaincy-specific training. The Army will neither require nor allow you to bear arms as part of your military duties.
CHOBC is in four phases. Each phase must be taken sequentially. However, the entire course does not have to be taken in the same year. Chaplain Candidates attend only Initial Military Training and Phase I. It is not until the summer before their senior year that Chaplain Candidates can complete Phases II and III.

A four-week resident course that teaches non-combatant common core skills such as map reading, military customs and courtesies, operations in field conditions and combat survival. Attendance is required for Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates who have no prior Army officer training. It is optional for others.

A two-week course that focuses on Army writing and correspondence. This course can be completed by correspondence for Chaplains whose first duty assignment will be in a reserve component.

Two three-week resident courses of instruction in Army-specific Chaplain duties. This training gives Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates the ability to apply their civilian chaplain and pastoral skills in the Army environment.

SFC Jamille Phillips can explain all about CHOBC. He can be reached at 1-888-390-5751.

A Warning to Current Seminary Students

2006-01-26T06:27:00.000-08:00

If you call HRC-St. Louis, you'll have the option to volunteer for current military operations. However, you need to resist the temptation to volunteer until AFTER you've completed seminary. This is the Army's official position on the issue:

Finishing Seminary is your first priority.
DO NOT CALL HRC St. Louis TO TRY AND VOLUNTEER FOR ANY POSITION RELATED TO DEPLOYMENT OPERATIONS. DO NOT TRY TO GET ASSIGNED TO A TROOP PROGRAM UNIT. YOU ARE NON-DEPLOYABLE. YOU BECOME DEPLOYABLE BY COMPLETING YOUR GRADUATE EDUCATION AND ECCLESIASTICAL REQUIREMENTS.
If you have not completed Seminary, we recommend that you do not request training during the academic year unless you will meet your minimum 24 semester credit hours for the given academic year (by attending prior or upcoming summer sessions). The Army requires you to maintain a full time Seminary student status or graduate Seminary to participate in Chaplain Candidate training.

What is a Chaplain Candidate?

2006-01-26T06:17:00.000-08:00

What is a Chaplain Candidate?

A Chaplain Candidate is enrolled in a Seminary, Rabbinical School, School of
Islamic Sciences, or other graduate-level theological school. He or she is
training to become an ordained Priest, Minister, Imam, Rabbi, or Pastor. Are you qualified to become a U.S. Army National Guard Chaplain Candidate?

You should be able to meet the following requirements if you are a graduate
student to be eligible for the National Guard Chaplain Candidate Program. Ask your recruiter about anything you do not understand.

AGE REQUIREMENT

You should have sufficient time to be commissioned prior to your 34th birthday.

The accessioning process usually requires three to six months.

An age waiver may be granted equal to the number of good prior service years.

Roman Catholic priests will be considered up to age 47 because of the critical
shortage of Catholic chaplains. You should also ask your recruiter about an age
waiver for yourself, as you may be eligible for an exception.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

COLLEGE: You must have a baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours from a college or university listed in the Directory of Post secondary
Institutions.

SEMINARY or GRADUATE DIVINITY SCHOOL: You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in the next entering class in an approved graduate program. You must be a full-time resident student working toward three years of graduate study in theology or related subjects, normally validated by the awarding of a Master of Divinity or equivalent degree. The school must be listed in the Directory of Post secondary Institutions, the Association of Theological Schools Bulletin (Part 4), or the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools Directory. Correspondence courses are not acceptable.

ECCLESIASTICAL ENDORSEMENT FOR THE MILITARY CHAPLAINCY:
Must be able to be approved by a Faith Group or denomination that is recognized by the Department of Defense (DOD) Armed Forces Chaplains Board.

CITIZENSHIP:
Must be a U.S Citizen or non U.S. Citizens if you possess an Alien Registration
Card (Green Card).

ARMY MEDICAL STANDARDS:
You must be within the Army height/weight standards and be able to pass the Army medical exam. Ask your recruiter for additional information by calling 1-888-390-5751.

The U.S. Army P.T. Test (APFT)

2006-01-26T06:06:00.000-08:00

If you are considering becoming a United States Army Chaplain, you need to know that there are requirements beyond the prerequisite physical examination. Once you're in the Army, you're expected to stay "fighting fit"...Even if you aren't actually the one doing the fighting. Here are a few of the requirements for passing the P.T. Test.

There are a grand total of three events in the Army P.T. Test: Push-ups, Sit-ups, and a two-mile run. On the push-ups and sit-ups, you'll have a total of two minutes to knock out as many reps as you can. On the two-mile run, you have a designated amount of time to complete that distance. The maximum score for the P.T. Test, a "perfect score," is 300. If you max out all the events, you can actually earn well over 300 points. I had friends at the Universityof Dayton who scored over 350 points...But they must have been supermen (and women.)

You'll want to train hard to get yourself in good condition for the APFT, exercising on a regular basis. Once assigned to a unit, you'll be doing PT (physical training) with your soldiers every day. Not many pastors get to run with their congregation five days a week!

SFC Phillips can tell you all about the U.S. Army's APFT and the requirements to pass. The requirements do change significantly, depending on your age. SFC Phillips' number is 1-888-390-5751.

Ad from MinistryJobs.com

2006-01-26T06:02:00.000-08:00

I placed the following classified employment ad on MinistryJobs.com.

As the Global War on Terror continues, you as a seminary student are faced with a tough decision. How do you contribute to the country's war against international and domestic terrorism while continuing your seminary education?Is there a way to do both at the same time? The answer is most definitely "YES."

Uncle Sam needs you right now, more than ever, and if you have the desire to be not just a professional clergyman but actually a pastor, this is the job for you...The United States Army is in need of highly-qualified applicants for the position of "Chaplain Candidate." Whereas the United States Army's Chaplain Corps has a long and illustrious history dating all the way back to General George Washington, at no time in history has it become more important for ministers to answer the call to serve both God and country simultaneously as a uniformed member of the clergy.Join a spiritual ministry that spans the globe, reaching young men and women and their families in the Army. You will accompany Soldiers all over the world as they train and carry out their assignments while focusing on their spiritual well-being. As an Army Chaplain, you will affect others through this profound and life-changing ministry. As an Army Reserve Chaplain, you'll be a preacher, a teacher, a counselor and a citizen-Soldier. You'll be one of the chosen who minister to your neighbors—neighbors who dedicate their time to their country. You will lead the Unit Ministry Team (UMT), which consists of you and a trained Chaplain Assistant. Since a Chaplain is a non-combatant, you do not carry a weapon at any time. Your Chaplain Assistant provides security for the UMT. They're fully trained on the conduct of worship services, as well as Soldier-specific tasks. Serving God and His People as a Rabbi, Minister, Imam or Priest requires you to develop your pastoral skills in the seminary and then apply what you've learned within a community of the faithful. The U.S. Army offers you the opportunity to learn about the pastoral aspects of a cleric's life in ways that build on your seminary and pastoral experiences. Your ministry will not only include Soldiers, but their spouses and children as well. So you'll be faced with the exciting challenges of leading worship and preaching, counseling young couples, establishing education classes and youth groups, and working with parish and congregational advisory groups. You do not need to wait until ordination to join the Army Chaplaincy. You can train to become an Army Chaplain at the same time you are training for the ministry. The training and experience you will receive as a Chaplain Candidate will add a special dimension to your seminary education. What’s more, some seminaries offer academic credit for your training as a Chaplain Candidate. Remember, while attending seminary, Chaplain Candidates may apply for tuition assistance through the U.S. Army Reserve. You may be eligible for up to 100% of the tuition costs, up to $250 per credit hour with a maximum cap of $4500 per year. This program requires service of at least four years in a U.S. Army Reserve unit once you become a qualified Chaplain.Just because you've never considered joining the military before, or even if you have considered the military (but never thought of yourself as being the Army "type"), you should still prayerfully consider joining the United States Army's Chaplain Corps. By joining the Army Reserve Chaplain Candidate Program, you will get a head start on Army Chaplain training, as well as all the benefits of being an Army Officer while still in seminary. Few job opportunities of this nature exist for those who have not yet garnered their Masters-level degree.

PRO DEO ET PATRIA! (The Chaplain Corps' official motto: "For God and Country.")

For questions or comments about the Chaplain Candidate Program, please feel free to contact:SFC Jamille Phillips at the toll-free number listed on this page. In order to expedite the process, please notify him that you were referred by First Lieutenant Nate German. And please don't delay. The Army needs you right now.

I need Louisville to represent...Big-time!

2006-01-26T05:55:00.000-08:00

If you're a student at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary or the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, now is the time to consider a career in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps. Louisville is my current base-of-operations, and I need to demonstrate that Louisville, Kentucky is a major source of future Chaplains. Call SFC Jamille Phillips TODAY at (888) 390-5751. Tell him I told you to call, and he'll hook you right up. Remember, there's no obligation just because you ask a few questions or indulge a little curiosity.

Pro Deo Et Patria (For God and Country)

2006-01-26T05:31:00.000-08:00

My name is Nate German. I'm 27 years of age, a full-time seminary student, and a First Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserves. Incidentally, I also just happen to be classified as a "Chaplain Candidate" (MOS 000A56.)

Just this past week, I received my orders activating me to active-duty-for-training. For the next month or so, I'll be acting in the capacity of Chaplain Recruiter, seeking out highly-qualified Chaplain Candidates throughout the United States. This is no easy task, as the standards for U.S. Army Chaplains are arguably the highest of the various Military Occupational Specialties. Perhaps only Doctors have a more strenuous process of applications, exams, interviews, and things of that nature. Then again, maybe not.

Right now, the United States Army is desperate for Chaplains. There simply aren't enough to go around anymore, and units are being forced to do without. No big deal, right? Wrong. That's the equivalent of a church going without a pastor, a parish without a priest. Yeah, I agree, that's a pretty big deal. Ironic, too, and a bit sad.

This whole War on Terror has created quite a bit of tension in our country. Young men and women are being sent overseas to fight against the enemies of the United States, kissing their friends, families, etc. good-bye. They're being compelled to go into harm's way, even if they never expected to actually see combat when they first signed up for duty. Our nation's soldiers desperately need quality Chaplains, spiritual leaders and counselors who offer a wide range of spiritual and emotional support.

If you are a potential seminary student, a current seminary student, or a seminary graduate, you need to seriously, prayerfully consider applying to become a U.S. Army Chaplain. The process to being accepted is tough, but there are always friendly, intelligent individuals within the Chaplain Corps ready and willing to help you make that scary transition with the minimum anxiety involved. If God is calling you to the ministry, and especially the military ministry, now is the time to put your name on the dotted line.

The U.S. Army's Chaplain Corps will provide you the opportunity to serve in a ministerial position like none other. You'll be a pastor to a rather large congregation...But you'll also be much, much more. You'll be a confidante, a mentor, a prayer partner, a counselor, a teacher, etc., etc., etc. You'll go where the soldiers are, offering what the military refers to as "Ministry of Presence." In other words, you help the soldiers JUST BY BEING THERE, wherever "there" happens to be (picnics, P.T., staff meetings, whatever.) Ministries include preaching, participating in worship, hospital and prison ministries, and counseling in such areas as marriage, youth, crisis, suicide prevention, bereavement, and every other area where people need spiritual assistance.

In return, the U.S. Army offers a generous salary and countless benefits. If you're married, great. The Army will take care of your family as well, whether you live on post or off. If you get deployed, a strong support network is already in place to protect and care for your wife and kids.

The Army will do now what it has always done: Offer you a chance to see the world. You may serve on an installation in the Deep South, on the West Coast, or overseas. You could find yourself just about anywhere you could ever imagine. I'm confident God will put you right where you need to be. Just since I've been in the military, I've lived in Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, Washington, and Korea...And that was in the time of only a handful of years. Keep in mind, I'm still only twenty-seven years old. The average age of a brand-spanking-new Chaplain is 42.

Many seminary students who normally trust in God for all things suddenly start having massive panic attacks around graduation time. All those cheery fantasies about life as a pastor disappear in the face of a looming future. Don't let yourself end up in a ministry position you don't really want just because there aren't enough good jobs to go around. The Army will give you a job like no other in the Chaplain Corps. You'll be giving the rank of Captain, and you'll have instant job security for several years up to twenty (or more.) I knew a Chaplain that was 62 years old, and he still couldn't retire because there weren't enough Chaplains available to fill in for him in his absence.

If you are interested in becoming a U.S. Army Chaplain, or simply want to explore the U.S. Army's Chaplain Corps as a potential career, please contact Sergeant First Class Jamille Phillips at (888) 390-5751. Tell him Chaplain Nate German told you to call. He'll then answer your questions and provide the necessary paper-work to get you on your way.