Military Chaplaincy

... exists to provide military personnel and their families religious programs through which a person may exercise their right of freedom of religion. The military depends upon all faith groups to provide theologically trained, spiritually motivated, and qualified ministers to serve as chaplains to military components.

SBC chaplains have served in all major conflicts for over 150 years. Following this rich tradition, Southern Baptist ministers today serve with all components of the nation’s military. Military chaplaincy commitments range from full-time employment to volunteer service.

Active Duty
>Military personnel and families endure frequent transfers from one installation to another. As a result, they are often isolated and limited in active involvement in SBC churches. Southern Baptist chaplains serving on full-time active duty help bridge the gap by providing ministry in places where pastors cannot go and where no Southern Baptist churches exist. Chaplains become extensions of the church.

The ministry of a military chaplain is similar to that of the pastor. In addition to being a preacher, teacher, counselor, and administrator, the chaplain serves on the commander’s staff as chief advisor on religion, morals, morale, and ethical issues within the command. Active duty chaplaincy is a full-time employment ministry.

Reserves/National Guard/Civil Air Patrol
Ministers engaged in full-time ministry within the SBC may be qualified to serve as chaplains to Reserve, National Guard, and Civil Air Patrol units. As an adjunct to their full-time pastorate, these chaplains are affiliated with a military unit. This relationship enhances their church’s outreach and ministry. Ministers who serve both churches and the military are extending the churches’ mission activities to environments that otherwise might go unreached. These chaplains serve in part-time chaplaincy ministry.

Chaplain Candidate
The Chaplain Candidate Program was developed to provide qualified and competent chaplains for active duty, Reserves, and National Guard. This program affords a firsthand look at responsibilities and opportunities for ministry within the military chaplaincy and assists students in making vocational choices. Ministerial students interested in military chaplaincy should enter the Chaplain Candidate Program early in their seminary studies.

Reserves/National Guard

• An undergraduate degree of not less than 120 semester hours from an accredited college or university.
• A Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from an accredited seminary (minimum of 72 graduate semester hours in theology).
• A principal vocation in full-time ministry within the SBC.

NOTE: Minimum requirements for denominational endorsement to active duty military service are two years of full-time ministry experience in the SBC or a combination of four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in an accredited CPE center and one year in full-time ministry in the SBC.

• Maximum age of 40 (unless there is prior service). Additional age requirements vary by branch of service and entry program.
• A personal interview with a representative of the Chaplaincy Evangelism Team.
• Physical fitness examination as required for commissioned officers.

Chaplain Candidate Program

• Enrolled full-time in the M.Div. degree program in an accredited theological seminary.
• Membership in good standing in a Southern Baptist church.
• Physical examination as required for commissioned officers.
• Age requirements as established by the military service.

Civil Air Patrol (CAP)

• Principal vocation in full-time ministry within the SBC.
• Graduate degree from an accredited theological seminary, or qualifications based on the needs of the CAP.

For specific application of qualifications to your situation contact the Chaplaincy Associate for Military Chaplaincy. Contact Dr. David Mullis at 770-410-6368 or through this form.