I am considering the chaplaincy. What are the pros/cons of being an active duty Army Chaplain?

SPC Joshua Schiff — Mon, 11 May 2020 22:54:38 -0400

I am married with kids.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 11 at 2020 11:10 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 11 May 2020 23:10:44 -0400

CH (MAJ) William Beaver can you advise this young man?

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2020 12:46 AM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2020 00:46:02 -0400

Pros: endless opportunities
Cons: takes a long time just to qualify. Message me if you want to get into the weeds. I can connect you to recruiters.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 12 at 2020 8:38 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 12 May 2020 08:38:33 -0400

I can’t speak to a Chaplains challenged outside those of other Soldiers, I can say that they are a very valuable part of the units and the Army. A good Chaplain is God sent, no pun intended.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 13 at 2020 12:14 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 13 May 2020 12:14:36 -0400

Pros: You help soldiers and you monitor the morale of the unit and report it to the Battalion CO.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made May 13 at 2020 12:45 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Wed, 13 May 2020 12:45:19 -0400

Good chaplains are invaluable to the mission and the command. Bad chaplains can really hurt a unit. But that means you also have to be prepared to support service members with different or no religion too. Some chaplains can't handle that. The best chaplain I knew was an Episcopalian who arranged for someone to tend to the spiritual needs of a pagan. The worst was a Baptist who had problems helping Roman Catholics. (That is not an endorsement of one sect over the other, I've also met Baptists who were good, and Episcopalians who were not)

And unless there is an overwhelming desire to go Army, look at the other services too. Both the Air Force and the Navy also have needs for chaplains. In all cases, you have to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, and sometimes a master's degree. I believe that they prefer some prior ministry experience. In any event, good luck.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 13 at 2020 1:02 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 13 May 2020 13:02:39 -0400

SPC Joshua Schiff I Wish You Luck. Hopefully You're every bit as Good as Chaplain Edwin M. Carroll Onboard USS Arkansas CGN-41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgsI2doTY_g

VETERANS DAY 1996 on USS ARKANSAS

On November 9th, 1996 I flew to Hawaii from Seattle to join my Dad, youngest brother (Navy Chief and host) and my nephew to sail a TIGER CRUISE from Pearl Ha...

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 5:51 PM

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 17:51:45 -0400

Pros: Soldiers get the opportunity to worship with you. 2. You can be the best, if you care and are compassionate. 3. Ministry is powerful as you "provide or perform."
Cons: time away from family due to deployments and field exercises (no different from other soldiers). 2. Ministry is not in a "building", it is in the place where they work (not always a con). AND 3. Hours not like a normal church ministry.

Hope that helps!

Response by CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2020 11:52 PM

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 23:52:05 -0500

I'm a Chaplain, and former Chaplain Recruiter. Pros and Cons come with biases - what may be the best thing for someone else might be the worst for you.

I've had days where I felt like the luckiest man alive. You're already in the Army, so I don't need to tell you how the Army can ruin a good day. The good days off the bad, generally.

Field ministry is a hardship, but a privilege to access lives and offer hope (through Christ, from my faith perspective).

Ministry, family care, pay, etc are often more stable than civilian ministry.
The unique environment brings it's own challenges, but nothing insurmountable.

I recommend you reach out to one of the regional Chaplain Recruiting Stations and have a conversation.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 10 at 2020 10:51 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 22:51:30 -0500

Depending on your current education level and religious denomination you may have A long ways to go. Denominations recommend ordained people to the Services to be chaplains. I wish you the best if you choose this road.