AF Reserve Chaplain Program

The U.S. Air Force Reserve Chaplain Program is a cooperative and pluralistic 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 deployment. Chaplains move out into the work areas, to minister wherever and whenever they are needed - from the chapel to the hospital, to flightlines and industrial complexes.

Three avenues of ministry

Air Force Reserve chaplainThe 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.

Reserve chaplains function much like their active duty counterparts: they offer worship services for unit members; they perform weddings; they are available for counseling; they conduct humanitarian programs; they "give" invocations; they arrange clergy days, etc.

The Air Force Reserve Chaplain Corps has three avenues of ministry. The Category A program where you serve with a local reserve unit and train one weekend a month; Category B where you serve 12 days annual tour and 12 Inactive Duty Trainings in an active duty chapel on an active duty base; and the Chaplain Candidate Program for seminary students.

Unit Chaplain/ Category A

Group photo with chaplainUnit Chaplains serve at one of 40 units in the United States. Most units are collocated on active
Air Force bases; some are on Air Reserve bases; and a few are at local airports. The chaplain team has total responsibility for the chapel ministry in their unit, and train with their unit during monthly unit training assemblies.

Besides the monthly UTA the chaplains perform an annual tour of two weeks. Reserve chaplains attend the regular courses offered at the USAF Chaplain Corps College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Chaplains are also eligible for short tours to augment active duty and for "exercises".

The Category "A" program is part of our nation's deterrent force. Thus, training is the name of the game. Chaplains, like all other members of the unit, take part in all the testing and training that makes up a weekend of duty. They train to deploy as part of an Air Expeditionary Force individually or as a Religious Support Team (one Chaplain and one Religious Affairs Airman). Chaplains are expected to take part in the same Professional Military Education (PME) courses as other officers. Often PME seminars are conducted during the weekends while the unit meets.

Unit chaplains enhance their training through interaction with active duty chaplains.

IMA Chaplain/Category B

TGroup of Airmen prayinghe Category "B" Program (Cat B) is administered from Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

Chaplains in this program are known as Individual Mobilization Augmentees  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 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.

Reserve Chaplains attend the regular courses offered at the USAF Chaplain School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., and are expected to take part in the same Professional Military Education (PME) courses as other officers

Chaplain Candidate Program

Religious DemoninationsThe 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. Upon graduation and obtaining an ecclesiastical endorsement, chaplain candidates are eligible for reappointment as a chaplain in the USAF Reserve, Air National Guard, or Active Duty component.

The Program: Officer Training (60 days; Maxwell AFB, Ala.) and Supervised Internships (35 days each at Air Force bases)

The BenefitsFormation of Airmen marching in dress uniform
- 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
- Second Lieutenant pay and benefits
- Travel to and from all active duty training tours is paid by the government
- Eligibility to seek reappointment to Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard or Active Duty chaplaincy

 

 

Religious Affairs Airmen

The primary role of Religious Affairs Airmen is to provide support for ministry. This is done not only through administrative means, but also as the "eyes and ears" of chaplains on deployments, visitations, and a wide variety of other exciting opportunities.

As the enlisted component of Religious Support Teams, Religious Affairs Airmen are uniquely trained in crisis intervention to include intervention counseling in moments of crisis, response to crisis and suicide prevention and intervention. In addition, Religious Affairs Airmen are actively engaged and intentionally integrated into unit engagement plans to include unit meetings, commander calls, training with the unit and other unit activities. They are also trained in religious support to hospitals and mortuaries.

Religious Affairs Airmen can serve in Category A or Category B as unit or IMA Reservists.

Chaplain Requirements

-- 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.
-- Possess Master's 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.  Age waivers are considered for prior military service and critical faith groups.
-- Pass the Air Force physical examination, and meet weight standards.
-- Pass a National Agency Check security background check and qualify for a security clearance.
-- Be available for the minimum required training.
-- Be available to attend the five-week Commissioned Officer Training (COT) and the six-week Basic Chaplain Course (BCC) 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.

Chaplain Candidate Requirements

Requirements
-- Citizen of the United States
-- Less than 40 years of age at the time of appointment
-- Possess baccalaureate degree with not less than 120 semester hours (180 quarter 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 Master of Divinity degree (minimum 72 semester hour/108 quarter hour degree program).
-- Able to complete approximately 65 days of active duty training during the first summer of the program.
-- 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

AFRC Chaplain Staff Contacts

HQ AFRC/HC

255 Richard Ray Blvd Ste 111
Robins AFB, GA 31098-1661
Email: afrc.hc@us.af.mil
Phone: (478) 327-1475
  DSN: 497-1475
1-800-223-1784 ext. 497-1475

Recruiting

Chaplain & Chaplain Candidate Inquiries
Phone: (478) 327-2274
  DSN: 497-2274
Email afrc.hcx@us.af.mil
Fax: (478) 327-0475
  DSN: 497-0475

Other Contacts

Religious Affairs Airman Functional Manager

Office of the Command Chaplain
Phone: (478) 327-1475
  DSN: 497-1475
Fax: (478) 327-0475
  DSN Fax: 497-0475
Email: afrc.hcc@us.af.mil

Plans and Programs Division

Phone: (478) 327-2128 
  DSN: 497-2128

Personnel and Readiness Division

Phone: (478) 327-2126 
  DSN: 497-2126

Graphic of Chaplain Mission Glorifying God, Serving Airmen, Pursuing Excellence