Chaplains — Military & Civilian
Called to Serve Where Others Cannot Go
Military bases, combat zones, hospitals, prisons, and crisis centers — chaplains bring spiritual care to the most demanding environments in the world.
3,500+
Active Military Chaplains (US)
10,000+
Hospital Chaplains Nationwide
6
Branches Served
72+
Graduate Hours Required
Chaplain Openings Across the USA
Click any state to see chaplain job and candidate activity
Requirements, Training & Resources
Everything you need to know about entering or advancing in chaplaincy ministry
Becoming a commissioned military chaplain requires rigorous academic, professional, and ecclesiastical standards across all branches.
Undergraduate Degree
Minimum 120 semester hours from an accredited institution.
Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
72+ semester hours of graduate-level theological education from an accredited seminary.
Ecclesiastical Endorsement (DoD Form 2088)
Official certification from a DoD-approved faith group verifying ordination, licensure, and spiritual maturity to support military religious pluralism.
Ministry Experience
Active-duty components require a minimum of 2 years of full-time post-theological professional religious ministry experience.
Age & Citizenship
Typically under age 42 for active duty. U.S. citizenship required. Must pass MEPS physical and qualify for security clearance.
Chaplain Candidate Program (CCP)
Reserve and National Guard components allow commissioning via CCP for current seminary students.
Healthcare chaplains follow a separate professional pathway governed by clinical credentialing rather than the Department of Defense.
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
4 units (approximately 1,600 hours) of intensive clinical training inside a hospital, hospice, or clinical setting under supervision.
Board Certification
Professional certification through BCCI/APC, NACC, NAJC, or CPSP after completing CPE requirements.
Graduate Theological Degree
Master of Divinity or equivalent (72+ graduate hours) plus active ecclesiastical endorsement from a recognized faith body.
HIPAA Compliance
Hospital chaplains are covered entity workforce members with limited EHR access and are required to document spiritual care notes in official patient charts.
Two distinct callings — both requiring extraordinary dedication
| Feature | Military Chaplain | Hospital Chaplain |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Environment | Military bases, ships at sea, training fields, and combat zones | Hospitals, hospices, emergency rooms, and palliative care units |
| Organizational Role | Commissioned officer advising commanders on unit morale, ethics, and religious dynamics | Clinical team member integrated into interdisciplinary healthcare and ethics committees |
| Daily Responsibilities | Worship services, ministry of presence, unit morale assessments, counseling, and military briefings | Patient bedside visits, spiritual care charting, family grief support, and ethical decision counseling |
| Confidentiality | Absolute — 100% confidential under Military Rules of Evidence (MRE 503); cannot be disclosed under any circumstances | Clinical — subject to hospital safety protocols, duty-to-warn, and Electronic Medical Record documentation |
| Governing Law | Military Rules of Evidence (MRE 503) under UCMJ | Institutional policy, medical charting rules, and HIPAA |
These are the premier professional associations and federal portals for chaplain career development and placement.
Military Chaplains Association (MCA)
Premier professional networking organization for active, retired, and reserve chaplains from all branches — Army, Navy, Air Force, VA, and Civil Air Patrol — encompassing all faiths.
National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF)
Umbrella association of 30–40 endorsing bodies representing Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, Orthodox, and pluralistic faith groups. Central nexus for professional standards and career pipelines.
USAJOBS — Federal Chaplain Openings
Centralized portal for chaplain positions within military installations, VA hospitals, and federal bureaus of prisons.
Association of Professional Chaplains (APC)
Board certification body (BCCI) for healthcare, military, and community chaplains. Sets professional standards for clinical pastoral education.
National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC)
Professional certification and networking for Catholic chaplains in healthcare, corrections, and military settings.
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)
Accrediting body for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs. Find accredited CPE centers for hospital chaplaincy training.
Chaplaincy Innovation Lab
Research and innovation hub advancing the field of professional chaplaincy across healthcare, military, and community settings.
College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy (CPSP)
Alternative CPE accreditation and board certification pathway for hospital and clinical chaplains.
U.S. Army
Army Chaplain Corps — the oldest chaplain corps in the US military. Serves soldiers, families, and DA civilians worldwide.
U.S. Navy
Navy Chaplain Corps serves Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel. Opportunities for active duty and reserve commissioning.
U.S. Air Force
Air Force Chaplain Corps serves Air Force and Space Force personnel. Emphasis on spiritual resilience and mental wellness programs.
U.S. Marine Corps
Marine chaplains are commissioned through the Navy Chaplain Corps and serve alongside Marines in all operational environments.
VA Chaplain Service
Provides spiritual and pastoral care to veterans in VA medical centers, community living centers, and domiciliary programs nationwide.
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Chaplains serve incarcerated individuals in federal correctional institutions, providing religious programming and pastoral counseling.
"Chaplaincy is one of the most demanding and most sacred callings in ministry. Whether you are serving on a naval vessel in the Pacific or sitting beside a dying patient at 3 AM, you are the hands and voice of God in places where few others dare to go. Church Jobs Today is honored to serve this community."
— Dr. Arthur George Scott, Founder