Chaplain Candidate

When you join the Guard as a Chaplain, you'll come in as a commissioned officer. If you join prior to your ordination, you'll enter as a Chaplain Candidate. You can learn more here about the requirements and training for Chaplain Candidates.

Chaplain Candidate Eligibility Requirements
In addition to general officer eligibility, to qualify as a Chaplain Candidate, you'll need to obtain an ecclesiastical approval from your denomination or faith group certifying that you:

  • Are enrolled in or accepted into an accredited graduate program
  • Are less than 39 years of age at the time you receive your commission
  • Are a full-time student working toward a graduate degree in Theology consisting of 72 or more hours

Special Branch Officer General Eligibility Requirements
To qualify as an officer, you must:

  • Meet the prescribed medical and moral standards for appointment as a commissioned officer
  • Be a United States citizen
  • Have completed an accredited qualifying degree program
  • Be 21 years of age
  • Be able to obtain a secret security clearance

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Training for Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates
Whether you come in as a Chaplain or a Chaplain Candidate, you’ll attend the Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course (CH-BOLC), where you'll learn fundamental military tasks and how to perform religious duties in a military environment. The three-month course can be completed in one block or in several phases over a 24-month period. CH-BOLC consists of three segments:

Chaplain Initial Military Training: In this four-week resident course, you’ll learn core non-combatant skills such as map reading, military customs and courtesies, operations in field conditions and combat survival.

Phase I: In this two-week course you'll learn Army writing and correspondence.

Phase II and III: Two three-week courses will train you in Army-specific Chaplain duties and applying your civilian skills to the National Guard environment.