Navy Chaplain Candidate Program (CCPO) [Remote]

The Navy Chaplain Candidate Program (CCPO) is a professional development and military training program for qualified graduate-level theological or religious-studies students preparing for future service as Navy Chaplains. Chaplain Candidates are commissioned Navy Reserve officers while completing their theological education and developing the professional religious-ministry experience required for eventual appointment as a Navy Chaplain.

The program familiarizes candidates with Professional Naval Chaplaincy and provides opportunities to develop military leadership, pastoral, and operational ministry skills while completing their academic and professional preparation. Successful completion of the program does not automatically result in appointment as a Navy Chaplain; candidates must subsequently satisfy all applicable religious, educational, professional, medical, and Navy accession requirements.

Primary Responsibilities

Chaplain Candidates are expected to:

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in their qualifying graduate theological or religious-studies program.
• Participate in Navy military training and professional development.
• Develop familiarity with Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard culture and the operational environment in which Navy Chaplains serve.
• Participate in supervised ministry opportunities and training with Navy Chaplains.
• Gain experience in pastoral care, religious ministry, counseling, worship, crisis ministry, and ministry within a religiously pluralistic military environment.
• Develop an understanding of religious accommodation, confidentiality, military ethics, leadership advising, and spiritual readiness.
• Complete required Active Duty for Training (ADT), on-the-job training (OJT), and other training directed by the Navy Chaplain Candidate Program.
• Progress toward the required two years of full-time religious leadership experience within the candidate's religious organization.
• Maintain the academic, professional, military, and physical standards required by the program.

Educational Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold a baccalaureate degree of at least 120 semester hours from an accredited college or university.
• Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent.
• Be enrolled in a qualifying residential, graduate-level, degree-granting theological or related religious-studies program at an approved educational institution.
• Maintain satisfactory academic standing while participating in the program.

Candidates who have recently completed a qualifying graduate degree may remain eligible for a limited period following graduation, subject to current Navy policy.

Ecclesiastical Endorsement

Applicants must receive approval or endorsement from a Department of Defense-recognized religious organization. The endorsing organization must support the candidate's preparation for professional religious ministry and eventual military chaplaincy.

Endorsement is a fundamental component of Navy Chaplain Corps accession because the candidate is preparing to serve as a religious professional while operating in a religiously diverse military environment.

Ministry Experience

The Chaplain Candidate Program is designed to help candidates progress toward the professional experience required for eventual chaplain appointment.

Candidates must demonstrate progress toward obtaining at least two years of full-time religious leadership experience within their endorsing religious organization. The experience must be appropriate to the responsibilities of a Religious Ministry Professional and relevant to military chaplaincy.

Age and General Eligibility

Candidates must be less than 38 years old at the time of commissioning and able to complete the educational, ecclesiastical, and professional requirements necessary for appointment as a Navy Chaplain within the applicable 42-year age limitations for chaplain accession.

Applicants must also meet applicable Department of the Navy appointment requirements, including citizenship, character, security, medical, and other eligibility standards. Age-waiver provisions may apply in certain circumstances; therefore, candidates should verify their individual eligibility with Navy Chaplain Corps recruiting personnel.

Physical Requirements

Chaplain Candidates are Commissioned Navy officers and must meet applicable Navy medical and physical-readiness requirements.

Participation in the program can include military training, physical training, field environments, shipboard experiences, and supervised operational ministry. Candidates should therefore be capable of meeting the Navy's applicable physical and medical standards.

Basics Physical Readiness: Timed 1.5-mile run, 2-minute Push-up drill, and 2-minute Max Plank exercise Physical-readiness requirements are subject to change. Candidates should use the current Navy Physical Readiness Program guidance and applicable PFA standards when determining their individual requirements rather than relying on a single universal fitness score.

Military Status and Training

Selected Chaplain Candidates are appointed as Ensigns in the Navy Reserve, Unrestricted Line Officers under instruction as prospective Chaplain Corps officers, designator 1945. The program is intended to prepare candidates for future Chaplain Corps accession in either the Active or Reserve Component.

Candidates must complete at least one Active Duty for Training or On-the-Job Training experience coordinated through the Chaplain Candidate Program, in addition to other training requirements directed by the Navy. Navy materials also describe opportunities for candidates to receive supervised exposure to operational ministry, including serving alongside Navy Chaplains in fleet environments.

Program Outcome

The goal of the Chaplain Candidate Program is to develop qualified theological students into candidates who are prepared to meet the professional and military requirements for Navy Chaplaincy.

After completing the required theological education, ecclesiastical requirements, professional religious-ministry experience, military training, and other accession requirements, a Chaplain Candidate may apply for appointment as a Navy Chaplain. Participation in the CCPO program does not guarantee selection or appointment as a Navy Chaplain.

Program: Navy Chaplain Candidate Program (CCPO)

Military Status: Navy Reserve Officer under instruction

Designator: 1945

Primary Purpose: Preparation for future Navy Chaplain Corps service

Educational Focus: Graduate theological/religious studies

Professional Focus: Religious ministry and pastoral leadership

Training Focus: Military leadership, naval culture, operational ministry, and chaplaincy

Potential Follow-On: Active or Reserve Navy Chaplain Corps appointment