Guest Blogger Jill Schultz: It Takes a Strong Leader to be an Army Chaplain
It takes a Strong Leader to be an Army Chaplain
Being an Army Chaplain is a career that not only helps our country and the great men fighting for our country but it’s a career that can transition into civilian life after your service and will allow you to continue to help people in many different capacities.
Qualities and prerequisites to become an Army chaplain
The Army requires certain qualities in being a leader and these need to be exhibited in a chaplain since they will be a spiritual leader. An interested recruit needs to show self-discipline, initiative, confidence and intelligence. Leaders make decisions quickly, always focusing on completing the mission successfully – this is no different for a chaplain who must make quick moral decisions, bear ultimate moral responsibility for those decisions and focus on keeping morale high in time of war.
To be an officer in the Army Chaplain Corp, you must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from your faith group. This will certify that you are a clergy person in your denomination or faith group and are qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve as a Chaplain in the Army. You must possess a baccalaureate degree of at least 120 semester hours and hold a master’s degree in divinity or a graduate degree in theological studies, which includes at least 72 hours.
Chaplaincy Training
Chaplains do not go through Basic Training but rather attends the Chaplain Officer Basic Course, (CHOBC)
to learn core skills of a non-combatant, Army writing and specific training to help you succeed as a chaplain in any environment. Once this is complete, an Army chaplain begins service immediately as a staff officer. An Army chaplain will not be required or allowed to bear arms as part of their military duties.
Chaplains serve in many environments
Much of the work that chaplains do are one-on-one support with soldiers and their families. However, chaplains are sent wherever troops are deployed. This means they are in the barracks, offices, training areas, as well as in combat zones ministering to men and women of all faiths, denominations, and persuasions. They must be able to work in environments that house many beliefs and respect those differing religions without compromising their own beliefs.
Army chaplains are necessary to the success of the Army’s mission
The main responsibility of an Army chaplain is to care for the spiritual well-being of Soldiers and families. In this end, providing spiritual leadership to such a large group requires special patience and a unique calling. When deployed with troops, they bring religious stability to the post through performing religious ceremonies in accordance with their respective faith as well as providing advice to all deployed soldiers and personnel in regards to religion and morals and have an intricate part in boosting morale.
While deployed, a crucial part of a chaplains’ duties included providing religious ministries to not only our troops but also to offer religious support to armed service personnel and civilians from the US, other foreign nations and agencies as needed. Many government contractors such as DynCorp and Raytheon are working hand in hand with our troops overseas to bring peace in many parts of the world and benefit from having an Army chaplain as a resource.
About Jill Schultz:
Jill works from home and really is a “jack of all trades.” She loves the flexibility of her freelance career and that it gives her the opportunity to research such a wide variety of subjects. Though she tends to focus on career advice and government-related topics, she can write on just about any niche you throw her way. She is an excellent researcher and loves to put pen to paper.
