Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/10/2010

Question
Hi Mark,
 I am a 40 year old prior enlisted (U.S. Army, 5yrs)with a Masters Degree in Health Services Administration; I also have a Master's in Divinity (Chaplaincy). Will these qualifications enable me get commissioned as a Chaplain with the rank of Captain in the Army? Is it even possible to be directly commissioned with the rank of Captain with 2 Masters degrees but limited actual ministry experience? While I would love to serve again, the lowest rank that it makes economic sense for me to accept is Captain; because I would also be giving up a lucrative small business if I were to get commissioned.   

Thank you for your anticipated enlightenment,

Benn

Answer
Benn,
It looks as though you meet all the requirements for a direct commissioned officer in the Chaplaincy except for the two years of full-time professional experience.

Since I'm not an expert on the Chaplaincy, I asked our chief Chaplain on base.  He said he doesn't know if the 2 yr experience is waiverable nowadays, it used to be waived if you already had a Master's.

Here's the Chaplain requirements:

- You must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from your faith group. This endorsement should certify that you are:
A clergy person in your denomination or faith group.
- Qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve as a Chaplain in the Army.
- Sensitive to religious pluralism and able to provide for the free exercise of religion by all military personnel, their family members and civilians who work for the Army.
- Educationally, you must:
--Possess a baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours.
--Possess a graduate degree in theological or religious studies, plus have earned at least a total of 72 semester hours in graduate work in these fields of study.
- Applicants for active duty or the National Guard MUST be U.S. citizens. Permanent residents can ONLY apply for the Army Reserve.
Be able to receive a favorable National Agency Security Clearance.
Pass a physical exam at the Military Entrance Processing Station(MEPS).
- A minimum of two years of full-time professional experience, validated by the applicant’s endorsing agency (This requirement is not applicable to Army Reserve applicants).
- Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment. No applicants are accepted at the age of 50 or above. Applicants aged over 42 should contact a regional chaplain recruiter for the latest age waivers being granted for chaplains and chaplain candidates.

As far as rank goes, he's never seen a Direct Commissioned Chaplain come in with less than a Captain rank.  Since you already have a Master's degree he feels you will probably enter as a Major.

If you don't wish to give up your business, you may want to check into the Reserves.  As you can see, the 2 yr experience requirement is not applicable to Army Reserve applicants, You can chat with an advisor live, on-line at:

http://www.goarmy.com/content/goarmy/chaplain/about/requirements.html

I wish you well in whatever you decide and thanks for having served.
Colonel Howell