The Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program is an exciting opportunity for seminary and other professional religious school students to evaluate their compatibility and potential for commissioning as an Air Force Chaplain. The focus is on experiencing ministry in the Air Force during summer tours of active duty. As a chaplain candidate you will draw upon your background, education and experience to function as part of an Air Force chapel team. Upon entering the program you will be commissioned as a chaplain candidate, Second Lieutenant. When you graduate and are endorsed by your religious body, you will be eligible for reappointment as a Chaplain, First Lieutenant, in the USAF Reserve.

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Requirements

-- Citizen of the United States

-- Less than 35 years of age at the time of appointment

-- Possess baccalaureate degree with not less than 120 semester hours of undergraduate credit from an accredited college or university

-- Obtain ecclesiastical approval from your religious body's military endorser

-- Enrolled full time in seminary in an accredited or recognized theological seminary or professional school of religion
-- Working toward a professional 72-hour religious degree, such as the master of divinity

-- Able to complete approximately 115 days of active duty training during at least two summers, prior to graduation or within 90 days following graduation

-- Meet all military medical requirements and weight standards

-- Pass a National Security Agency check on your personal history and background and qualify for a security clearance

-- No drug abuse or criminal record


The program

-- Commissioned Officer Training (33 days; Maxwell AFB, AL)
-- Chaplain Candidate Course (12 days; Fort Jackson, SC)
-- Two Supervised Internships (35 days each at Air Force bases)

The benefits

-- Supervised ministry experience (with seminary approval)

-- Diverse ministry setting

-- Supplement/Expand/Enrich your ministerial education

-- Support the defense of our freedom
-- Ensure the free exercise of religion
-- Possibility of reappointing into the Reserve or Active Duty Chaplaincy

-- Second Lieutenant pay and benefits

-- Travel to and from all active duty training tours is paid by the government.

-- Tuition Assistance

The Air Force currently offers $4,500 seminary tuition assistance per year after your first summer of training. For more information about tuition assistance please call 1 (800) 525-0102 and ask for the Military Training Division.

Interested in the Candidate Program? Contact one of our chaplain recruiters.

Regional Chaplain Candidate Recruiters:

East Coast
Chaplain, Major Paul Gunn
478-447-6044
chaplainprogram@gmail.com

West Coast
Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel David Pendleton
913-752-7928
chaplainprogram@gmail.com