U.S. Army Chaplain - RA and USAR

Job Description

Turn your passion into a mission of service. 

Caring for the Army's spiritual health is the mission of the Chaplain Corps, vital to the morale and readiness of our Soldiers and their families. The Army's strength depends on securing capable, experienced religious leaders who embrace this sacred call to serve the selfless 1% of our nation by nurturing the living, caring for the wounded and honoring the fallen.

Answering the sacred call – ways to serve

A chaplain’s mission is to bring Soldiers to God and God to Soldiers. America calls on our Army to fight and win our nation’s wars and Army chaplains are there every step of the way. Whether in training or operations, Army chaplains represent hundreds of American denominations and faith traditions and fulfill a sacred calling of service captured in our motto, “Pro Deo et Patria” (for God and country). Being an Army chaplain means making a difference in the world. There are three ways in which you can answer the call to serve others.

Active Duty Chaplain - Active-duty chaplains serve every type of unit, including Special Operations, infantry, aviation, intelligence, hospitals, prisons, cyber, and community ministries. The Chaplain Corps also offers select chaplains advanced graduate degrees and specialized ministries in ethics, world religions, hospital ministry, and marriage and family counseling. You could be stationed in the United States, or in one of 180 countries around the world.

Army Reserve Chaplain - The U.S. Army Reserve is the part-time force that provides essential capabilities to the Army, giving them added scale and scope to respond to challenges at home and abroad. As a chaplain in the Army Reserve, you will be able to pursue a civilian ministry while you train near home and serve your community. You will spend two days a month on duty and two weeks a year training. 

Chaplain Candidate – 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 be a supplement to your ministerial education. All Chaplain Candidates are commissioned officers assigned to the Army Reserve in the Chaplain Branch. Should you decide to become an Army chaplain, by participating in the Chaplain Candidate Program (CCP), you will have a head start on entering the Army as a chaplain, as well as enjoying the many benefits and privileges associated with being an Army officer.

Outstanding Benefits

As an Army Chaplain and a commissioned officer, you will be afforded numerous advantages and a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits may include: 

★ Starting salary competitive with your civilian counterparts

★ Promotions in rank with corresponding pay increases

★ Travel opportunities within the United States and overseas

★ Up to 30 days of paid vacation earned annually

★ Enrollment in the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System

★ No- to low-cost medical and dental care for you and your family

★ Extensive life insurance coverage at a low rate

★ Commissary and post exchange shopping privileges

★ Housing allowance or free on-post housing

★ Use of world-class recreational facilities

★ Uniform allowance

We are looking for Religious Leaders who:

★ Are not older than 42 years old to serve as an Active-duty chaplain; are not older than 47 years old to serve as an Army Reserve chaplain, by the date commissioned into the Army; Are not older than 37 for the Chaplain Candidate Program

★ Have completed a bachelor’s degree (120 credits) with a GPA above a 2.5; Completed a theological degree (72 hours or more) for their denomination / faith tradition (often the Master of Divinity degree) with a GPA above a 2.5.

★ Are ordained and endorsed by their denomination or faith tradition recognized by the pentagon to serve in one of the components of the Army

★ For Active Duty: Chaplains are required to serve at least two years in a full-time professional capacity as a member of a denomination or tradition of faith, validated by an endorsing agent. Army considers 30+ hours a week full-time ministry *

★ Are a U.S. citizen to serve Active Duty, or have a permanent U.S. residency to serve in the Army Reserve

Become an Army Chaplain

To learn more about being a Chaplain in the U.S. Army or Army Reserve, click here* or connect with your local Army Chaplain Recruiter to see how you can answer the call.