Can you transition out of the Army Chaplain Candidate Program into a different MOS or MOS in a different Branch?

Sir,

During some of the resume reviews, one semi-reoccurring theme is the fact that I am in the reserves as a Chaplain Candidate might be a role in my inability to find work. Employers see that and might not higher me because they don’t want to deal with that or see it as someone who is only going to be there temporarily. Then when I have been applying for more temporary jobs (like the aforementioned In-N-Out positions) it becomes obvious that I wouldn’t be there long and I’m over qualified. If I take Chaplain Candidate off, even if I change the heading, it makes my resume look worse because then it looks like I have not done anything for the last year and a half.

Clarification:
- Options 1 and 3 still have me in the Candidate program.
- Aside from Option 4 I’d be a full time student.
- I get health coverage through my university. My understanding from Reserve Tri-Care is that it only covers LODs and readiness metric related needs. If I’m wrong, I’ll look into enrollment.

My Chaplain Chain are tracking all and I am going to communicating the options more thoroughly with my Chaplains as I get more information about them. So I can give an informed overview of the Who, What, and Why of the matter. I not be for certain that it is me being a Chaplain Candidate that is creating these obstacles when finding employment. However, my financial situation does not really allow me to not act in some way to rectify that.

If I have to go do something else, I chose going back to Active Duty in Option 4 because I like the military life style, then go to the Chaplaincy when I’m older (say after 10 years) that’s ok. Civilian Chaplaincy is fine with me too. Even if I serve a full 20, retire, and then go be a civilian chaplain, that works. The end end state is Chaplain in some way shape or form.

I hope that clarifies and explains a little more into what has been going on, and my thought process/perception of my options sir.

Thank you for your guidance.

A couple of things to unpack. I'll address the big elephant you mentioned (being discriminated against as a reservist) last as it's the longest reply.

Have you asked any of your "Chaplain Chain" about the possibility of transferring your candidacy to active duty? Again, shot in the dark, but you'll want to confirm with regards to your Option 4.

I can't give any job advice regarding the job situation in California or how your credentials stack up aside from general advice. I'll foot stomp again on the networking. Reach out to those you know in the areas you're looking for. While the figure of "85% of jobs are gotten through who you know" is a very commonly repeated inaccuracy by many, at least half of the jobs are gotten or helped base on networking.

Now onto the elephant.

I'm not sure that your being in the reserves is hurting your prospects is accurate. It's illegal* for an employer to discriminate against a job applicant based on their status as a uniformed service member. Most HR and hiring managers know it is illegal and those companies don't want even a whiff of any indication of that nor the headaches it would involved.

I'm sure there are a few of the employers that might have had that attitude and hid it away, but the rest wouldn't get anywhere near that attitude. Just as a some may discriminate because of any other protected class (race, sex, national identity, etc.), so to for military status. However, they would be the exceptions and not the rule.

If you feel that is the case, then you should call the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) office in the state* and discuss those companies that discriminated based on your reserve status.
------------------------------------------------------
* The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (Title 38 U.S. Code, Chapter 43, Sections 4301-4335, Public Law 103-353) provides protections against discrimination based on your military status for those seeking employment and for retaining that employment (or being re-employed) if you have to take an absence from your job to fulfill military duties.

A Guide to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act - https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/userra/USERRA-Pocket-Guide

* U.S. Department of Labor's VETS office in California - https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/about/regionaloffices/sanfrancisco#ca

Sir,
A Chaplain Candidate cannot go active duty as the position does not exist. The only way to be in the Chaplaincy on active duty is as an Enlisted 56M (Religious Affairs Specialist) or as a 56A (Chaplain). In order to go active duty as a Chaplain, you need an graduate degree with 76 units or more, two years of pastoral experience after receiving the degree, and you need to be approved by a board.

As for the companies not hiring me because I am a candidate, the Regulations really only protects against explicit discrimination. It does not prevent companies from using that as a means to not hire, then claiming it was something else. I have applied for jobs that I was overqualified for based on their own description of the job and requirements. On my resume, it shows Chaplain Candidate in the reserves. I did not even get a message back. I understand there can be multiple factors, but websites like Indeed allow businesses to be discriminatory without actually verbalizing it or having to explain to the applicant. LinkedIn, you can occasionally get replies, but the same thing happens. Applying online gives companies a lot of leeway to the left and right be picky about what they're looking for. Which, in some cases is understandable, you want to pick someone who is what you perceive to be the right fit. The problem is that half the time, I, and others who are in the same boat in the Candidacy, are not even given a chance. There are other Chaplain Candidates struggling to find work because 1) often churches do not/can not pay enough to afford to live even with roommates. In southern California, there are countless churches wanting Associate Pastors (COO in church speak) and are willing to pay them $35-$40,000. Associate Pastor is normally a 60 hour work week job. 2) often churches do not want people who are in the process of getting their degree because they want experience and full availability. 3) secular work does not want someone who is getting their degree in something that does not pertain to their line of work and shows the potential to be temporary. Candidate seems to imply that I will be doing this full time once I am done. 4) with most workplaces having transitioned to or in the process of transitioning to online recruitment and applications, they do not need to express why someone was not hired. Let alone communicate with them.

It is less about the fact that I am in the reserves, more so about the Chaplain Candidacy aspect of the reserves that companies may want to avoid. I have submitted over 300 applications on Indeed alone. I have received a response (positive or negative) from maybe 10% of those and I have had 3 interviews from those 10%. For certain position applications, I write cover letters, tailor my resume, and consistently follow-up after the application has been submitted.

In conclusion, with the amount of times that I have tailored my resume, spoken with job recruiters, had my resume reviewed professionally, had my interview skills reviewed professionally, confirmed that I was applying for appropriate jobs, I only have the Chaplain Candidacy left as a possible explanation. I first assumed it was me and sought guidance on how to make myself the best hirable candidate for positions. After covering all the conceivable bases, I am left to assume its the Candidate Program.

The Chaplain Candidacy program, for all intents and purposes, is like an internship with the Army. It is strictly a part-time thing though, so only guard and reserves. Candidates can exit at any time without repocrussions unless they took tuition assistance.

Yeah I grew up here so it apparently changed a lot since COVID. I am endorsed with IMF and they can do CPE as well, in fact I was gearing up to enroll with them. Just a matter of trying to find work. I am not even done with my 1 semester of my second year and employment has been a monster to deal with.

In the back of my mind, I genuinely believe that California businesses don't value military service at all. Sure I was not Active Duty for very long, but I did a far amount of stuff above my rank. Same thing for Reserves. From Oct 2022 to this Oct, I was acting Chaplain. That was fun to learn on the fly.

1LT (Join to see) The first time I came off active duty, back in '12, I could not find work. I ended up waiting tables for about 6 months, before moving into alcohol sales for about a year. I was making just over minimum wage. I know what it's like man, it's not easy. Whatever your choice, staying connected to the military as a reservist is a smart idea. I've always been able to approach my unit when I needed work. Once, my unit brought me on for two months, simply because I asked for help while looking for my next job.

Even as a candidate, you can help your unit. I just ran multiple ranges and training events this past summer. As candidates and LTs, we're a lot more flexible at the moment.