PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Community Overview. The Navy Chaplaincy is an exciting opportunity to bring spiritual values and guidance to the men and women of the sea services. If you are looking for unparalleled opportunities to serve God and country while ministering to people in diverse and dynamic settings, the Chaplain Corps offers you a future filled with possibilities. Chaplain Corps officers are religious professionals in spiritual care. They work in collaboration with all Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard commands throughout the world to deliver religious ministry to active duty personnel and their families. The areas of responsibility include:
- Navy ships at sea, home ported in the continental United States and overseas.
- Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard units and chapels at home and around the world.
- Navy hospitals near military bases.
- Service academies and military training schools.
Specific job elements for first tour. Navy Chaplains conduct religious services, provide pastoral counseling, give spiritual leadership, supply religious education, facilitate the free-exercise of religion for all faith groups, serve men and women of many religious backgrounds and work in a truly interfaith setting. Wherever assigned, you'll be a member of a highly professional, committed team. The Navy welcomes applicants who meet specific eligibility and educational requirements and who wish to begin the highly competitive process that leads to a commission in the Navy Chaplain Corps.
Programs.
Chaplain Candidate Program Officer - This program is designed to expose seminary students to the diverse and demanding ministry of Navy chaplains serving sea service personnel in a variety of settings. Chaplain candidates wear the uniform and receive pay and benefits only while on annual training.
- Active Duty - This program leads to a direct commission as a Naval Reserve officer on three years of active service. Chaplains on active duty may apply for an indefinite extension and a regular commission after selection and promotion to Lieutenant Commander.
- Reserve Duty - This program leads to a commission as an officer in the Naval Reserve and a commitment of two days each month for drills and two weeks of annual training. While remaining in their civilian careers, Naval Reserve chaplains also have the opportunity to serve their country and accumulate points toward retirement. Naval Reserve chaplains also may apply for temporary or full-time active duty assignments.
Basic eligibility requirements. Must be a U.S. citizen; be able to complete 20 years of active commissioned service as a Naval officer before 60th birthday. Age waivers may be granted on a case basis to meet the needs of the Navy. Must meet established Navy medical/physical standards; must have an Ecclesiastical Endorsement (or "approval" for students) from a religious faith group approved by the Department of Defense.
Special Requirements for Chaplain Students. Must be enrolled full time in an accredited graduate program of professional study in theology, or related study, leading to a graduate degree. Must maintain satisfactory full time standing under the standards of the graduate/theological school and in any training prescribed by the student's religious faith group.
Special Requirements for Active Duty and Reserve Chaplains. Must be a graduate of an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree of 120 semester hours, and hold a graduate degree that includes a minimum of 72 semester hours (at least 36 of these hours must be in the core religious and/or ministry areas, e.g. sacred scripture, church or religious history, pastoral counseling, liturgy/worship, and/or theology)
The standard of accreditation is the Education Directory, Colleges and Universities published by the U.S. Department of Education (ACE). Three letters of equivalency must be obtained from an accredited American school for schools outside the United States and for non- accredited schools. Applicants for active duty must have a minimum of 2 years religious leadership experience compatible with clergy in their religious organization. With detailed documentation from their Endorser, experience gained prior to or during graduate studies equal to 2 years of leadership experience may be accepted.
Appointment. Entry into the Chaplain Corps may be as a lieutenant junior grade or lieutenant. Chaplain students enter at the rank of ensign. The grade and seniority within grade for each applicant commissioned in the Chaplain Corps is determined by the program, amount of service credit awarded for theological education, pastoral/ministry/religious leadership experience and/or prior commissioned service.
Military Obligation for Chaplain Students. All chaplain students may apply for approximately 45 days of training at the Navy Chaplain School in Newport, R.I. commencing in June of their first summer after commissioning.
