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Library > AFRC Chaplain Program > Unit Chaplain |
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Unit Chaplain
The Category "A" Program (Cat A) is administered from Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC)/HC, 255 Richard Ray Blvd, Robins AFB, GA 31098-1635, phone toll free 1-800-223-1784, ext 72270, or DSN 497-2270. Chaplains in this program serve at one of 40 units stationed 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 one weekend a month when the unit performs a Unit Training Assembly (UTA).
The Chaplain service 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 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.
Unit chaplains perform their Unit Training Assemblies (UTAs) at their unit each month. These are all paid positions. Besides the monthly UTA the chaplains perform an annual tour of two weeks. AFRC Chaplains attend the regular courses offered at the USAF Chaplain Corps College, Fort Jackson, S.C. Chaplains are also eligible for short tours to augment the active duty and for "exercises."
AFRC 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 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 to an Air Expeditionary Force individually or as a Religious Support Team (one Chaplain and one Chaplain Assistant). 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.
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. 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 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.
Are you interested in the Unit 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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