What is daily life like as a 56M? Is it more clerical work or soldier work?

Trevor Ford — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 16:53:29 -0400

I am thinking about enlisting with this MOS and was interested in what everyones thoughts or experiences were with 56m? Is it a good mos to be a part of and do you have experiences of being a soldier and getting to be a part of learning skills of infantry, or is it more of secretary work for most of your contract? Thanks in advance!

Response by SGT Nicholas M. made Apr 24 at 2019 5:00 PM

SGT Nicholas M. — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 17:00:04 -0400

I have worked closely with a few 56M the last 4 years. They have described it as being a chaplains personal secretary. Duties do not just entail making sure Sunday Service runs smooth. You do a lot of organizing for events and marriage retreats, among other things. Obviously it will depend on your unit and OPTEMPO of that unit, but be prepared for a lot of busywork.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 24 at 2019 9:30 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 21:30:57 -0400

It is a catch-all, you are the driver/guard/handyman/maintenance man/

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Apr 25 at 2019 9:25 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 21:25:55 -0400

As a former 56M, I can probably give you some idea of the MOS. I'm aware that the MOS has changed and evolved, as do other MOS'. It all depends on the duty assignment and Chaplain you are assigned to. Number one thing that is stressed and expected by the Chaplain, your unit, and your leaders, is Soldier Skills. Number two, being proficient in your job and training. You and the Chaplain are a team. I loved the MOS throughout the years, but unlike what other thinks or say, it can be challenging at times. Get one thing straight, you are not training to be the next Chaplain, you are his driver and bodyguard (Chaplains are not allowed to carry weapons). At the chapel, you are in an Admin role and also you care for the Chapel itself, because it is usually used for other religious/non-religious programs and groups of soldiers, to include dependents and retirees...first impressions are lasting impressions.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2019 2:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 May 2019 14:45:58 -0400

Hey Trevor,
I’ve been a 56M in the reserves for four years. Only MOS I’ve ever held. Easily one of the most rewarding MOS’s there is. As the bodyguard for your chaplain, you will be taught body guard techniques, such as getting your chaplain to cover while under fire, etc. However on the Garrison side, you’re the chaplains personal assistant. Given your chaplain, this could mean a variety of tasks. Depending on what unit you’re a part will ultimately determine the amount of infantry like training you’ll receive, as you are always where the troops are providing religious and mental health support. Hopes this helps!

Response by SPC Joseph Nowosielski made Jul 17 at 2019 5:33 PM

SPC Joseph Nowosielski — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 17:33:28 -0400

I would say it depends mostly on your Chaplain. I was 56M for 4.5 years before ETS. You do everything, yes administrative but I also jumped rounds with my companies as we cleared bunkers in Iraq. I see some said there’s freedoms, there are a lot but it also works against you especially if your S1 attempts to control you when your unit is without a Chaplain, that’s the worst experience. You do PT with HQ and sometimes you can do it with the companies but only if your Chaplain tells the HQ platoon leader there’s a fascinating dynamic. It’s also difficult to get promoted you have to max your points, you can get promoted sometimes it just takes longer than other MOS’s. I highly recommend it especially if you like helping others, your doing admin work but you’re also a liaison for enlisted to the Chaplain who’s an officer and it can be intimidating for soldiers to come to him, you kind of break the ice. My Chaplains allowed me to conduct ASIST training and pre and redeployment trainings for PTSD and Combat stress. I was only an E4 and had lots of opportunities.

Response by SGT Jordan L made Sep 17 at 2019 12:32 AM

SGT Jordan L — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 00:32:34 -0400

Hey Trevor,

I've been a 56M for the past seven years while serving on Active Duty and now currently with the National Guard. I feel qualified to answer your question.

First of all, being a Religious Affairs Specialist/NCO (Ras/Ran) is one of the most rewarding careers you can have in the military. To be successful requires someone to be a self-starter and you need to be VERY resilient both mentally and spiritually. You will always get what you put into it.

Passion drives this MOS. There are plenty of perceptions of how we only drive the chaplain around to meetings, hide out in our office or are creepy. While there are many that do that, there is a vast majority of professionals who strive to serve Soldier's and their families.

You'll get plenty of experience in infantry skills because you are always a Soldier first, but you'll also humble yourself in a wide variety of administrative challenges. Our job is to assist the Chaplain in shaping the environment based on the commander's religous intent. We are the most effective at listening to the background noise of our fellow brothers and sisters in arms. They all have a spiritual need whether they know it or not. This can be anything from marriage problems, suicidal idealiations, religous accommodations, etc. Our job is to identify their needs and assist them. We do this through building relationships.

It's a tough job because you take their struggles home with you. It can be a lonely world your peers don't understand.

We also provide security for our assigned Chaplain as they cannot carry weapons. In combat, we have to keep the Chaplain alive. We don't pull additional duties because this hinders our effectiveness when we must respond to a Soldier's crisis. Trust me, the chow hall won't burn down if you don't pull KP, but a Soldier's life can end if no one is there to answer their plea when a suicide attempt is made.

We are servants. You don't have to follow the Lord, but you do have to follow your fellow Soldier's. They rely on you and they usually don't see that until their worst days.

If you do take this MOS, be willing to soak in experience and apply it to your daily tasks. Always take the hard paths and seek mentors. You'll be a Soldier like everyone else, but also a spiritual backbone.

Good luck.

*There's so much more to this MOS, but I'm short on time today. Feel free to message me with questions.*

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2019 10:37 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 10:37:44 -0500

Depends on unit, attitude, and Chap. Expect to be the most flexible soldier that you can be. You can serve 3 years with the infantry, in the crap with them, then three years with the engies, then three with the aviation corps. You will pick up a lot of stuff if you are a good soldier. Past that, just remember, you are pretty much the link between your chap and the actual soldiers. You need to have a good idea of the culture you are working in to succeed. No one respects someone who just drives the Chap around, everyone respects the dude who just helped pound 1000+ meters of pickets and knows concertina wire sucks, and what gauntlet gloves are.

Much easier to go get grounded in an MOS that will teach you the basics of being a soldier first (was a prior 12B). Most RAS don't last long because of either poor performance or bad attitude. It can be on the lax side.

Good Luck to you, and Godspeed.

Response by Iesha Gueye made Dec 26 at 2020 4:34 PM

Iesha Gueye — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 16:34:38 -0500

Did you join? Im thinking about it also.