What is it like to a be chaplain?

2020-11-09T21:35:58-05:00

Hello friends! I have been interested in chaplaincy on and off for years, been in the Army a while. I majored in Bible and Theology, loved it. I don't see much talk on what it's like to be a Chaplain on RallyPoint. There are various parts to this conversation that I have had many times, what I am asking today is more dealing with duties and career assignments. I have been reading through DA PAM 600-3 for info. If you care to take a minute, I jotted down some questions below:

What is a day to day for a Chaplain? I can piece together some assumptions, but perhaps there are parts that go on behind the scenes that I am not aware of?
I don't fully grasp the function of a Chaplain for the commander apart from a readiness perspective. Can someone offer perspective or provide an example of what a Chaplain does for a commander?
What are evaluations like? Anything other than what I am used to?
What sort of readiness and training does the Chaplain manage and track?
What sort of leadership role, if any, does a Chaplaincy take? Is there any level of development with the Chaplain's assistant?
What is the upward mobility within the branch?
I read from others that one of the biggest challenges is harmonizing with different religions, in the sense of a collaborative effort towards the mission and soldier welfare; is this true?
I am very much interested in academia. Is there a fair amount of academic work after BOLC and outside of post-grad education?
How often is the position afforded to just plug-in to soldier's training? Some Chaplains are always around, some not so much. I assume this is like any MOS; it depends on the unit, current mission, additional assignments, leadership, etc. What provides that classic example of a Chaplain having the ability to be out there with Joe's?

The benefits of being a Chaplain seem amazing in two ways: one, the job is ministry and two, the chaplain gets to be involved in all sorts of activities and functions that are completely geared towards soldier welfare. Like mental health programs, family assistance, couple retreats, bible studies, etc.. Is this a fair assumption?

Response by CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2020 11:42 PM

2020-11-09T23:42:30-05:00

Having just finished my time as a Chaplain Recruiter, I'd first advise you to start with one of the recruiters. Message me for contact information.

The day to day is unique, but generally speaking, you're going to have some mix of serving as a staff officer and a religious leader. From my background as an evangelical Protestant Christian pastor, I'd be at the motor pool, command and staff meetings, pastoral team meetings for the chapel, teaching classes, in addition to counseling, Bible studies, and regular worship services.

My responsibilities lie both as a pastor, to those who would see me as their pastor, as well as to my Soldiers who may not believe as I believe - I'm still responsible for protecting their right to the free exercise of their faith.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2020 9:24 AM

2020-11-10T09:24:40-05:00

Good luck 1LT Private RallyPoint Member
I just got accepted to Southern California Seminary myself. Almost 20 years AD in the Navy and finally hearing Gods calling (something I’ve been struggling with since 2007). If you need some solid Chaplains to talk to let me know. But CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member is a 100% correct on the reaching out to a Chaplain recruiter for the day to day understanding and process to become a Chaplain.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 10 at 2020 11:19 AM

2020-11-10T11:19:18-05:00

The Chaplain Corps official Field Manual is pretty enlightening.

Response by SSG Dale London made Nov 13 at 2020 1:46 AM

2020-11-13T01:46:52-05:00

Let me start by saying my experience as a chaplain was with the British Army and Royal Marines. Much of my day-to-day was different that it is for a US Army chaplain. For example, British chaplains don't have assistants. There is no MOS in the Ministry of Defence that even approximates the job of Chaplain's Assistant. All British padres are "one-man-bands."
The work of a chaplain is, first and foremost, to be a force multiplier for the commanding officer. You look for hot spots with regard to personnel issues and morale, you alert those who need to know and do your best to help resolve issues for the benefit of both the unit and the soldier.
So, with that in mind...
May day-to-day in garrison was kind of like this:
0530 - get down to the parade ground for PT.
0730 - back to my quarters for a shower and a cup of coffee.
0800 - chapel for morning prayer service
0830 - Officers mess for breakfast
0900 - into my office - put on the coffee maker, check my messages and email, call the guard hut to see if anyone was arrested last night or admitted to hospital. Deal with walk-ins and put out fires.
1030 - off to the officer's mess for a cup of tea and biscuit, Shoot the breeze and generally be available.
1100 - hit the regimental lines -- visiting various units in rotation. Talk to the soldiers who are interested, check in with the NCO's and officers to see if there's anything I can help with, drop off leaflets, etc.
1230 - lunch at the dining facility. I usually sat right in the middle of the DFAC and if anybody wanted to join me, they were welcome. I rarely ate alone.
1330 - back to the office to check emails and messages. Put out more fires.
1400(ish) - pop in to see the Adjutant/XO/RSM and Colonel. Bum around the regimental lines trying to look busy.
1630 - back in the office for email and messages, fire fighting.
1700 - back to my quarters or to the DFAC depending.
1900 - Officers mess for discussions or to the chapel for Bible Study depending on the day
2100 - all done.
Once a week I would go to division for the senior chaplain's briefing, likewise the Regimental staff meetings at HQ once a week. Thursdays were spent entirely in the office for counselling sessions. Fridays I spent visiting soldiers in the stockade, the sick and infirm, and just taking care of business.
Every so often I would organise ethics and morals training for new NCO's (MAT7) and set up leadership excursions for the junior officers.
I attended every sporting event the regiment participated in and rooted madly for my guys.
I kept my ears and eyes open for trouble brewing in the regiment and raised issues with the RSM/XO/CO as the situation required, providing advice and support to the CoC and soldiers alike.
I led Sunday services in camp and was part of the division's protestant service rota for the Infantry school at Catterick. When necessary, I helped arrange emergency leaves, compassionate releases from service, casualty assistance and next of kin notification, etc.
On deployment, I just showed up and listened while doing my best not to be a pain in the ass. I would organise worship services as and when the guys could attend.
Bear in mind that this is just a sort of precis of what I did -- there was a whole lot of other stuff thrown in that could not be scheduled -- trips to the range, field training exercises, morale building activities -- memorial services and parades -- the list is nearly endless.
If you feel you are called to chaplaincy, I strongly advise that you pray and go into a period of discernment before applying. Also, in the US Army you need to already be ordained and have the endorsement of your church. I believe you also need a masters degree.
I hope this helps. Good luck and God speed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2020 6:59 PM

2020-11-15T18:59:56-05:00