Candidate Program

Becoming a Chaplain is can be a long and confusing process, so here are the basics…

As many of you know, I am in the process of becoming a Chaplain.  Friends and loved ones will often ask “So, how is the whole Chaplain thing going? Are you a Chaplain yet?”  Well, ….no, I am not.…not yet.

It is actually a very long a tedious process to become one, and it takes many years.  Here is the Reader’s Digest version of what I must do according to the Army to become a Chaplain…via the Candidate program

Complete a Bachelor’s Degree Get Approval from a DOD recognized organization to enter program Get medically approved (height, weight, body fat, physical, etc…) Get accepted to seminary Write a one page paper on why Chaplaincy Complete an SF-86 SSBI (background check/security clearance) Get ministry related reference letters  It is recommended that at this point I get licensed as a minister (not ordained) At this point I can now enter the National Guard or Reserves as a Candidate…a 2nd Lt who is not yet a full Chaplain and non-deployable Get at least 72 hours of Masters level seminary credit       (my endorsers require 90) Get ordained After getting said hours…it is highly recommended (borderline required) to get two years of ministry related experience while I put my packet together Apply for active duty

It is at this point I can officially become a Chaplain.  So, as you can see, it will take many years (around 5-6) before I am done.

And it is worth every minute…And I cannot do it without the help and calling of God, the amazing and undeserved support of family and friends and the leadership and council of my elders and pastors.  I covet your prayers.