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IMA Chaplain
The Category "B" Program (Cat B) is administered from Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC/HC), 255 Richard Ray Blvd., Robins Air Force Base, Ga., 31098-1635, phone toll free 1-800-223-1784, ext 72270, or DSN 497-2270. The Air Force Reserve Chaplaincy is a challenging and rewarding team ministry. This program is designed for professional clergy persons who wish to serve their country through a part-time military ministry.
The Chaplain service is a cooperative and diverse ministry. Chaplains adhere to the requirements of their endorsing religious bodies. The Air Force trains and deploys chaplain readiness teams, consisting of chaplains and enlisted personnel. They provide religious ministries during war, contingencies, national emergencies, and military exercises. The Air Force seeks to meet the religious needs of the military community at permanent bases, industrial complexes, medical facilities, and deployed sites. It provides religious ministries of worship, religious education, pastoral care, counseling, and visitation. Work areas reach far beyond the chapel walls. Air Force chaplains are trained to respond to a variety of situations including emergency ministrations, mass casualty ministry and national readiness mobilizations for deployments. You move out into the work areas, to minister wherever and whenever you are needed - from chapel to the hospital, to flight lines, to industrial complexes.
Chaplains in this program are known as Individual Mobilization Augmentees (IMAs) and serve at an active duty base in the United States or overseas. As an IMA your commitment is 12 Inactive Duty Training (IDT) days per year and one Annual Tour (AT) of 12 days. You are attached for training to an active duty chapel on an installation near their home. You train with and perform ministry to that active duty community under the supervision of the active duty chaplains.
The flexibility of this program allows you to honor your commitments to your civilian ministry and coordinate your 24 days per year commitment with your Air Force supervisor. You will also be given opportunities to attend periodic training events, workshops and conferences that will enhance your ministerial skills. You may volunteer for active duty tours in support of both active and reserve forces. You will work in a pluralistic setting while having the opportunity to gain an excellent Air Force reserve retirement.
AFRC Chaplains attend the regular courses offered at the USAF Chaplain School, Maxwell AFB, and are expected to take part in the same Professional Military Education (PME) courses as other officers.
To be a Reserve Chaplain, you must:
-- Be a United States citizen, dual citizenship is not accepted.
-- Possess baccalaureate degree with not less than 120 semester hours of undergraduate credit from an accredited college or university.
-- Masters degree in Theology or related subjects (not less than 72 semester hrs) from an accredited institution.
-- Possess an ecclesiastical endorsement from a recognized denomination or faith group (targeted Air Force needs determine priority of placement)
-- Be qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve Air Force personnel.
-- Be less than 40 years of age at the time of appointment or less than 42 years of age with a minimum of 2 years prior military service (allow up to six months for processing).
-- Pass the Air Force physical examination, and meet weight standards.
-- Pass a National Agency Check security background check and qualify for a security clearance.
-- Complete all required training and meet readiness as well as participation requirements.
-- Be available to attend the four-week Commissioned Officer Training and the six-week Basic Chaplain Course within the first two years in the program.
-- Be sensitive to religious diversity and provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel, their dependents, and other authorized personnel the military services serves.
If interested in the IMA Chaplain Program, please write, e-mail or call for further information.
HQ AFRC
255 Richard Ray Blvd Ste 111
Robins AFB, GA 31098-1661
E-mail: afrc.hc@afrc.af.mil
Toll Free: 1-800-223-1784 ext.72270
Commercial: (478) 327-2270
DSN: 497-2270
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