Active Duty Chaplaincy
Chaplains enter active duty with an initial three-year service commitment. They may apply for Conditional Reserve Status after serving two years of their three-year initial tour. If approved, they will normally serve on active duty until qualified for retirement, provided they are promoted. Active duty chaplains are assigned around the world. They are normally accompanied by their families. They are subject to deployment with other military personnel.
Reserve Duty Chaplaincy
The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve offer part-time military duty to clergy who wish to remain in civilian ministry. If you choose this option, serving in one of the Reserve Components, you could be called to full-time active duty in the case of a national emergency. Reserve chaplains are encouraged to volunteer for deployment and other contingency operations. Guard and Reserve members usually serve two weeks of active duty each year, plus other training periods as required. They must meet the same requirements as active-duty chaplains.
Professional Growth Opportunities:
- Orientation, intermediate, and senior chaplain courses at the Air Force Chaplain Service Institute at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
- Various Air Force and inter-service professional military schools
- Postgraduate study opportunities in civilian schools
- Permissive temporary duty each year (15 days at no expense to the government for retreats, denominational conferences, and visits to religious superiors)
- A variety of professional publications and materials to keep you current in the faith world
- Tuition assistance for education programs
To be appointed as an Air Force Chaplain, you must meet the following requirements:
- be a United States citizen.
- be less than 42 years of age (40 for the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve). For a full 30-year career, one must be commissioned before age 32.
- have endorsement by one's religious denomination.
- have a Bachelor's degree and a Master of Divinity, or equivalent graduate program (72 semester hours) from institutions regionally accredited or accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
- pass a complete Air Force physical.
- pass a security background investigation.
Note: Selection is competitive and is based upon the needs of the Air Force.
Chaplain Candidate Program
This Reserve program allows individuals to explore the military ministry option while attending seminary. It is designed to expose seminarians to the diverse and demanding role of Air Force chaplains in a variety of ministerial settings.
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