Chaplain
Endorsement

• InFaith hosts an annual Refresh Conference for its field staff, chaplains, and chaplain candidates and their families.
• Chaplains and candidates can attend area fellowships hosted by any InFaith field director.
• InFaith provides prayer support for its chaplains and chaplain candidates.
• Chaplains and Candidates may email the Home Office hr@infaith.org with any questions and concerns.

Military Chaplain Candidates

Through the Chaplain Candidate Program, you can train to become a chaplain at the same time you are training for the ministry. The training and experience you receive as a chaplain candidate will supplement your ministerial education and training. All chaplain candidates are commissioned officers assigned to the Reserves or Guard in the chaplain branch.

• Undergraduate degree of no less than 120 semester hours from an accredited college or university. (GPA 3.0 or higher)
• Matriculated as a full-time seminary student in a single 72 credit hour program; (M. Div., Theology, Religion) online or resident program (please note each military branch requirement for seminary students)
• Serving in ministry in your local church
• Will seek ordination after seminary graduation and perform all clergy duties
• U.S. citizenship
• Be able to receive a security clearance
• Pass a physical exam at a Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS).
• Be between 18-36 years old at time of commissioning.

Hospital / Hospice / VA Chaplaincy - Resident and professional chaplains

• Undergraduate degree of no less than 120 semester hours from an accredited college or university
• Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or Master of Theology, Religion as a single 72 credit hour degree from an accredited seminary
• Ordained minister
• Should be seeking Board Certification
• U. S. citizenship

Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps – U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Chaplaincy

You must meet all requirements for Civil Air Patrol senior membership:

• You must be a fully ordained or qualified clergy/religious professional of your faith group.
• You must be actively engaged in or retired from a denominationally approved vocation.
• You must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from a faith group listed by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board
• You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school.
• You must possess an accredited post-baccalaureate graduate degree of at least 72 semester hours (108 quarter hours) in the field of theological or related studies.
  • Clergy without an accredited or less than 72 credit hour graduate degree may ask for a waiver provided they have a minimum of 5 years full time pastoral experience or the equivalent. (pending InFaith’s approval)
• There is no age limit or physical examination required for CAP chaplaincy.
• U. S. citizenship.

Auxiliary Support Chaplains (Coast Guard)

1. This is applicable to Auxiliarists, and civilian clergy members who want to serve as Auxiliarists, who pursue designation as, and who are designated as, ACS Chaplains that support Coast Guard RM programs.
2. Former and retired DoD Chaplains (active and reserve), current DoD Reserve Chaplains who are not otherwise on military orders (e. g. Reserve Chaplains serving in their personal capacities), and chaplains representing federal agencies, are required to enroll in the Coast Guard Auxiliary to participate in this program.

• You must be a fully ordained or qualified clergy/religious professional of your faith group.
• You must be actively engaged in or retired from a denominationally approved vocation.
• You must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from a faith group listed by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board.
• U. S. citizenship
• You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school.
• Possess a post-baccalaureate graduate degree in the field of theological or related studies from a qualifying educational institution.
• A qualifying graduate degree program must require no fewer than 72 semester hours (108 quarter hours) of graduate-level work. Related studies may include graduate courses in pastoral counseling, social work, religious administration, and similar disciplines when one­ half of the earned graduate credits include such topics Theology, Bible, World Religions, Christian Ministry, Biblical ethics, etc.
  • Waivers may be granted for clergy lacking an accredited graduate degree if they have a minimum of five (5) years full-time, ministry experience. Along with verification of the five (5) years, full-time, ministry experience, applicants requesting a waiver will provide two (2) letters of recommendation from sources who have observed ministerial activities and capabilities of the candidate. These letters are to be professional references.