CHAPLAIN
OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT IS WHERE CHAPLAINS APPLY EVERYTHING THEY’VE LEARNED AS MINISTERS AND AS AIRMEN FOR HIGH-STRESS SITUATIONS.
As defenders of the First Amendment’s right to the free exercise of religion in the Air Force community, the chaplain corps traces its roots to the very beginning of our nation.
On July 29, 1775, the Continental Congress established the military chaplaincy. General George Washington issued this order at Valley Forge on May 2, 1778: “The Commander in Chief directs that divine services be performed every Sunday at 11 o’clock on each bridge which has chaplains, while we are duly performing the duty of good soldiers, we are not to be inattentive to the highest duties of religion.” Worship for the military members was voluntary, and chaplains of all faiths cooperated with each other, always being sympathetic to the beliefs of others.
On September 18, 1947, the National Security Act made the USAF a separate branch of the military. Subsequently, the USAF Chaplain Corps transitioned from the Army Air Corps under the leadership of Chaplain Charles Carpenter, the first Air Force Chief of Chaplains, in 1949.
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Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of 120 semester hours
Master of Divinity or equivalent theological degree with no less than 72 hours from an accredited institution. -
Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB
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Two years of religious ministry leadership experience
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Christian Protestant
Muslim
Jewish
Orthodox Christian
Roman Catholic
Other faith groups -
Must be a U.S. citizen
Receive an Ecclesiastical Endorsement from a DoD-recognized endorser
Meet medical and physical fitness standards
No convictions by courts-martial or by civilian courts (except for minor traffic violations or similar infractions)
No disciplinary action for engaging in an unprofessional or inappropriate relationship
No record of disciplinary action for financial irresponsibility, domestic violence or child abuse
Be commissioned by 40 years of age, age waivers may be available -
Officer*
*When you join the chaplain corps, you will be commissioned as an officer. Your rank will be based on education level and experience. -
The Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program is an exciting opportunity for seminary and other professional religious school students to evaluate their compatibility and potential for commissioning as an Air Force Chaplain.
Learn More:
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01 APPLICANT SCREENING
- An Ecclesiastical Endorsement (DoD Form 2088)
- An initial screening from an Air Force Recruiting Service Chaplain Recruiter
- A religious leadership experience skills set résumé
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02 APPLICATION REVIEW
- Official academic transcripts from your educational institutions
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03 FINAL PROCESSING
- A Department of Defense physical at the nearest Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
- Submission of a security clearance and credit check screening
