The government offers a straightforward answer in Title 10, which directs chaplains to conduct weekly worship services and perform burial rites. While accurate, this description is notably brief. In practice, each branch of the Armed Services expands upon these responsibilities in ways that reflect its unique culture and mission. When one considers the full scope …
Guest Blogger: Air Force Commissioned Officer Training
I had heard that Commissioned Officer Training was easier than the enlisted side’s Basic Military Training, or even the Officer Training School, because we chaplains were part of the professional corps. In fact, I heard some stories that included tales of playing golf that made COT seem like a club, complete with housekeeping and gourmet …
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Friendship, Availability, Character, and Trust: F.A.C.T.
Building trust among the people in the command is essential for a chaplain who wants to be effective and successful, but it can be tricky. It is a known fact that people in the military will be watching their chaplain, and they’ll determine whether they trust you by what they see and hear. If they …
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Big Enough to Love and Care
America’s founders had experienced the abuses of political and religious powers in the European monarchies, so they attempted to create a new nation that prevented the duplication of those problems. That is why from the very beginning, the United States was not a monarchy, and there would be no official religion. Instead of kings who …
Ten Steps to Success
My dad was a Sailor during WWII. After the war, he went to college and seminary while pastoring a church. He became a Navy chaplain when I was three months old and retired when I was in college. What this means is I had a pretty good idea what being a military chaplain would be …
Military Chaplain Guide 