US Army chaplains, who must adhere to their own faith while working cooperatively with chaplains of other faiths, serve as spiritual shepherds of troops and have a variety of faith-related duties. They require an extensive educational background, including a master’s degree in religion or theology, and must be endorsed for service by their religious group. Army chaplains are not combatants and do not undergo basic combat training, but they are required to complete the Basic Officer Chaplain Leadership Course and partner with an assistant chaplain who has received basic combat training. All other branches of the US military also have chaplains.
Referred to as the “soul and conscience” of the United States (US) Army, the Army Chaplain is a spiritual shepherd of the troops. Chaplains have a variety of faith-related duties, such as holding services, making hospital visits, and acting as a spiritual adviser. Describing itself as a pluralistic environment, the US Army hires Army chaplains who adhere to multiple religions, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
US military chaplains must adhere closely to tenants of their own faith, as well as work cooperatively with chaplains of other faiths. Army chaplains may serve as civilian ministers or abroad with troops. When traveling abroad and in war zones, army chaplains are considered non-combatants.
An extensive educational background is required to qualify for the role of an army chaplain. Chaplains must not only have a bachelor’s degree worth 120 semester hours, but also hold a master’s degree in religion or theology. Army chaplains must also have completed a certain amount of spiritual field work before they qualify for the Army. Candidates must also be endorsed for service by their religious group. Even after meeting these requirements, the candidate still needs to pass tests and assessments for the Army to determine if they are suitable for service.
An army chaplain can serve on active duty or reserve duty. Active duty entails traveling abroad, wherever American troops are stationed. Army chaplains on reserve duty may remain where they were ministering prior to enlisting in the Army. The chaplain can thus continue to serve in the manner he had before, while also serving Reserve and National Guard troops. With reserve duty, there is always the chance that the Army will call the Army Chaplain on an overseas tour of duty.
Army chaplains are not combatants and do not undergo the basic combat training required of other service members. Instead, Army chaplains are required to complete the Basic Officer Chaplain Leadership Course (CBOLC). The course lasts 12 weeks and teaches chaplains non-combat army skills such as combat survival, map reading and other skills useful for field operations. However, an Army chaplain is required to partner with an assistant chaplain who has received basic combat training. The partnership between an Army chaplain and the chaplain’s assistant is known within the Army as the Unity Ministry Team (UMT).
All other branches of the US military also have chaplains. Whether serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, chaplains have the same basic roles: to act as spiritual advisors to serve members and perform faith-related duties.
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