Are there any female Chaplains?

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 16:53:38 -0400

An NCO asked me if I’ve ever met a female Chaplain. I don’t think I ever had. Has anyone?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2019 5:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:10:19 -0400

Nope. I've never seen a female chaplain on the military side.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 26 at 2019 6:42 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 18:42:22 -0400

I've met two. Both at Ft Carson.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2019 9:21 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 21:21:17 -0400

Doesn't necessarily help the Army, but the 2-star Chief of Chaplains for the Navy, immediately prior to the current Chief of Chaplains, was a female. Rear Admiral Margaret Kibben. Note, in the Navy the Chief usually serves as the Deputy Chief, who is double-hatted as the Chaplain of the Marine Corps.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_G._Kibben

Margaret G. Kibben - Wikipedia

Margaret Grun Kibben is a U.S. Presbyterian minister who served as the 26th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy. Formerly the 18th Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps (CHMC) and the Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy, Kibben was the first woman to hold each office.[1][2]

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Sep 26 at 2019 9:25 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 21:25:31 -0400

There are some now, not enough. I never met one.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Sep 26 at 2019 9:36 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 21:36:53 -0400

I met a Wiccan Witch E-5 who officially conducted services in the ANG...she was more of an Chaplin assistant.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Sep 26 at 2019 10:43 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 22:43:09 -0400

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member Chief there aren't that many female chaplains but they are out there. The ones I met were when I was deployed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2019 11:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 23:31:37 -0400

My basic training chaplain was a female

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Sep 27 at 2019 12:42 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 12:42:46 -0400

Yes at Fort Bliss there was a female chaplain.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Sep 27 at 2019 4:26 PM

SFC Marc W. — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 16:26:21 -0400

Yes. I had a female chaplain here at Special Warfare Medical Group, but she just left. Major.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Sep 28 at 2019 2:49 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 14:49:20 -0400

I never met one personally during my time in uniform but I know they existed. SPC Joshua Blotzer linked to an excellent article discussing female Chaplains. I think it's a wonderful idea to have females in that role. Given the nature of counseling Chaplains are often times called upon for, it is easier for a female to open up to another female and discuss things they are hesitant to bring up in front of a male. We've neglected mental health in the Services for way to long IMO.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2019 3:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 15:51:30 -0400

Absolutely! One of the best Chaplains I had was a female Chaplain when i was a BN XO - Patricia Nichols!!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2019 8:48 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 08:48:25 -0400

Plenty! In fact, the USAF Chief of Chaplains from 2001-2004 was female. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorraine_K._Potter

Lorraine K. Potter - Wikipedia

Lorraine Kay Potter (née Fallon;[1] 1946) is a former Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force and was the first female chaplain in the United States Air Force.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 4 at 2019 1:12 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 13:12:35 -0400

Counter intuitively, yes, I've seen them. It's odd, considering the bible forbids women from speaking in church or attempting to teach men, but yeah, they exist...

Response by PV2 Morris Graham made Oct 4 at 2019 1:34 PM

PV2 Morris Graham — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 13:34:12 -0400

Nor me. But I can't see any reason there's not. They have more understanding of problems and feelings than men. There has to be.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2019 11:55 PM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 23:55:46 -0500

Yes, there are many.

Response by SGT Cedric Nash made Feb 27 at 2020 7:34 PM

SGT Cedric Nash — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 19:34:30 -0500

Yes. I worked with several at Ft. Hood.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Apr 28 at 2020 12:29 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 12:29:52 -0400

There are many

Response by SPC Jim Johnson made Sep 25 at 2021 11:07 PM

SPC Jim Johnson — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 23:07:42 -0400

I served with chaplain Beicke at Ft devens. His Wife was chaplain this was in 1988- 1990

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2022 1:26 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 13:26:35 -0400

Yes and they are amazing.