Where can a Chaplain candidate in the National Guard find clear guidance on promotion from 2LT to 1LT?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 14:33:54 -0400

I have read the regs (165-17), but can not seem to find anything specifically dealing with Chaplain Candidates. My unit is saying I need to finish CHBOLC, but there are 1lts in my class. Any advice or guidance would apricated.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Jun 23 at 2016 3:42 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:42:06 -0400

I must admit, I am not familiar with Army regs much less NG. However, from my experience as a junior officer promotions for AD Air Force it was based on time in service and time in profession. Should an officer candidate have many years of experience in their career field they could be brought into the Air Force at a higher rank and given so many years and months of promotion experience that is credited towards the next higher rank (TIG). For example, a new physical therapy grad student would come in today as a 0-3, with no time in grade for 0-4. Different example, should a physical therapist with 3-years for experience come into the Air Force they would come in as a 0-3 with 18-months of time in grade for 0-4.

Again, not familiar with Army promotions but I would suspect besides any leadership school one must complete and other hoops to jump through, that time in grade (from civilian work experience) plays a big part as well, and for a new officer it drives future promotions.

Welcome aboard!

Response by SFC John Hill made Jun 23 at 2016 4:37 PM

SFC John Hill — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:37:12 -0400

You might find additional info here DA PAM 600-3 Commissioned Officer Professional Development and Career Management, chap 39 Chaplin Corps.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 23 at 2016 6:15 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 18:15:06 -0400

If chaplain candidates are treated the same way as medical students, you stay 2LTs until you become a full chaplain and then brought in as a CPT, skipping over 1LT.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 8:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 20:17:01 -0400

LT, are the 1LTs in your class NG or USAR? I'm an MP, so it's a basic branch and not specialty, but in my MP BOLC class I had a 1LT who was USAR and a NG 2LT (with enough TIS/TIG for 1LT) who HAD to complete BOLC before he could be promoted to 1LT, per his unit's guidance from the State TAG. So maybe it has something to do with your State? Again, I'm not sure if anything is different due to the Chaplain Corps/Chaplain Candidates Corp being a specialty branch. Just thought I'd add my (very) limited experience.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 1:13 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 13:13:59 -0400

Got guidance finally, it does seem to be a national guard chaplain candidate specific thing. Thanks for the advice and suggestions!

Response by CH (LTC) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2016 1:09 PM

CH (LTC) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 13:09:30 -0400

It's essentially the same with most MOSs (especially specialty branches). Time in grade (TIG), MOSQ, degree completion all come into play. Basically if you have MDiv but not MOSQ you're 1LT. No MDiv and not MOSQ you're assessed 2LT. MDiv and MOSQ you're assessed 1LT or CPT. Appears you have your answer but if you're not sure then either respond back, talk to Spec Branch Recruiting (since they control your packet) or you state/FT support Chaplain. AR 165-1 mostly explain activities not personnel management. DACH-PER is where you need to get more detailed info.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2016 12:57 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 00:57:42 -0400

It sound like you received your guidance, but here as some experiences/thoughts (can't guarantee 100% right, but I believe it is pretty close). As you likely know, CH is a specialty branch, so there are separate promotions boards (so you competing against other Chaplains rather than all officers in your grade). Something a little unique about the NG are separate state-level vacancy promotion boards. This will apply later more in your career, but if you are serving in a higher-rated position and have the minimum TIG, you can be promoted into a position 'vacancy' for the next higher rank. This is similar to regular army below-the-zone promotions in some ways. Otherwise, you would need to wait until the HRC army promotion boards for AR/NG Chaplains comes out (once a year I believe), at which point you would be looked at along with all other RC chaplains.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2016 10:21 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 10:21:25 -0500

To anyone in the same boat, the reserves, and the national guard have Chaplain Candidates AD does not. Long story short, if you are a Chaplain Candidate you must complete CHBOLC BEFORE YOU CAN PROMOTE, if you are AD then this does not apply.