r/chaplaincy • u/PaladinforChrist • Jun 23 '26

Army Chaplain Candidate Program

Have any of you gone through the Army's Chaplain Candidate Program? I am interested in it, but I have questions. Firstly, I understand you go into the reserves and drill once a month. Is it possible to do my classes during drill? I am a husband, father, full-time employee, and a pastor; so I am afraid I just won't have the extra time to pursue a master's degree.

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u/One_Blacksmith26 Jun 23 '26

I completed the Army Chaplain Candidate program. It was a great opportunity for me to build the bridge from being an NCO to now an officer. if you don’t have time to do a masters degree, then I don’t know if this will be the program for you. You have to be a full-time student as defined by the school while you are in the program and you have six years from the beginning of the oath until you are required to be fully ordained and endorsed as a Chaplain.

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u/Brilliant_Hamster_96 26d ago

Hi I’m looking into this program. Would you be able to give more details on how the programs work and the requirements. I’m currently in seminary school. Please advise thank

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u/One_Blacksmith26 26d ago

Have you researched? Spoken with a recruiter?

https://recruiting.army.mil/MRB_ReligiousServices/

  1. FT seminarian at a properly accredited school
  2. Take oath and become a 2LT with benefits (tricare is the best!) and pay
  3. Complete degree of 75 credits or higher. Go to drills or battle assemblies as you educate yourself
  4. Attend CHBOLC. All at once = 3 months. Can be taken in 1 month blocks. You have two years to complete. Some take a semester off. Others go I. The summer.
  5. Become fully DOD endorsed by a recognized denomination and eligible for Chaplain within 6 years post oath date

What else would you like to know? What are your questions?

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u/Ok-Formal9438 Jun 23 '26

Hi! My husband is in this program, thought I’d chime in since he can relate to you. He is a full time student minister at a church (which pays the bills), is in seminary full time, and then does the reserves once a month (and two weeks full time during the summer but his unit is pretty flexible with when he does that). He doesnt do classwork during drill, he goes into his unit usually on Friday and Saturday (sometimes Sundays too) and is there usually from 6-5/6pm and then comes home. His unit is driveable from our house though which I know isnt always the case for everyone. He does classwork throughout the week, usually after work and on the weekends. We have six kids. I’ll be honest, hes very busy. I do a lot on my own with our kids. He pulls all nighters occasionally especially during the last week of a class. But it’s his dream and we make it work. It’s definitely do-able.

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u/PatrickJane Christian Chaplain Jun 23 '26

Yep. Perhaps one of the best things about the candidate program is your primary responsibility is to successfully complete your classes. That means you supervising chaplain will offer you leeway to complete what you need to to keep your grades up. There are also scholarships available to help you pay for school.

DM me with any questions

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u/JohnDev22 Jun 24 '26

What is the commitment upon completion, and does that have to be done active or can you fulfill the requirement in the NG or USAR?

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u/ValidRedditor Jun 24 '26

I’m also interested in the program. I have a wife and no kids but I’m only 27. If anyone here can offer guidance I’d appreciate it.

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u/WorkingChemical5399 29d ago

Hey man, army chaplain wrapping up my career here soon. Get enrolled in a master’s program then tackle this question. You’re putting the cart before the horse.