Navy Chaplain Corps Assignment

Chaplain Corps 1,000,000 men, women and children are seeking spiritual guidance and religious accommodation. Does impacting the lives of young leaders strike a chord in your soul? Are you up to the challenge? Your ministry will have a profound and enduring effect on the men and women of the Sea Services. Navy Chaplains enjoy unparalleled opportunities to serve God and country while ministering to people of diverse and dynamic settings. Chaplains provide spiritual guidance:     Ministering to those in need anywhere, any time; On beaches or in the field, conducting service from the back of a truck; In Navy chapels worldwide; At sea leading services and classes on the most modern ships afloat; Benefits Offered  Vision, Medical, Life, Dental, 401K Employment Type  Full-Time (Active Duty) Part-Time (Reserve) HOW TO BECOME A CHAPLAIN Clergy can become Navy chaplains:    Active Duty: commissioned with a minimum of three years of Active service. Reserve Duty: commissioned with a commitment to attend two day monthly drills plus two weeks of annual training for a minimum of three years Reserve service, while remaining in their civilian careers. Chaplain Candidates: after completing the requirements in the CCPO program, Chaplain Candidates may apply to become an Active or Reserve Chaplain. OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE Navy Chaplains serve with all members of the Sea Services:     Navy Marine Corps Coast Guard Merchant Marine Because the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines do not have their own Chaplain Corps, Navy Chaplains find themselves assigned in many different duty stations, including: ship, shore, air wing and infantry, from polar regions to the equator. REQUIREMENTS FOR CHAPLAINCY  Have a graduate degree of at least 72 semester hours in general religion, theology, religious philosophy, ethics, and/or the foundational writings from one’s religious tradition (e.g. a Masters of Divinity). If the graduate degree is not in religion, then at least 36 of the semester graduate hours must be in religion, theology, or some related study. Accredited distance-education graduate programs are acceptable. The most competitive applicants may exceed these requirements.      Endorsement by your faith group/denomination At least two years full-time professional ministerial/leadership experience Be a citizen of the United States Be at least 21 and under 42 years of age at the time of appointment Be able to receive a national security clearance BENEFITS FOR A NAVY CHAPLAIN As commissioned officers, Navy Chaplains:  Provide love, care, and hope to the men and women who protect and defend our nation;  Receive generous pay and allowances;  Receive comprehensive medical and dental care;  Travel to interesting places worldwide;  Enjoy shopping privileges at military commissaries and exchanges;  Receive tax-free allowances for housing and meals;  Earn 30 days paid vacation each year;  GI Bill benefits after just a few years of Active Duty service;  Enjoy opportunities for promotion and career advancement;  Qualify for retirement after 20 or more years of service. CHAPLAIN CANDIDATE PROGRAM OFFICER (CCPO) (GRADUATE STUDENT) Individuals interested in Navy Chaplaincy who are working on a ministerial degree can apply to become a CCPO. CCPOs are Navy Reserve Officers (Inactive Ready Reserve, or IRR) who are exposed to the diverse and demanding ministry of Navy chaplains serving sea service personnel, wear Navy uniforms, and receive pay and other benefits while on annual training. Upon graduation and meeting the requirements, CCPOs apply to become a chaplain: Active or Reserve. No service obligation is incurred until acceptance of the chaplain appointment. CCPO requirements:     Approval from a recognized religious organization Possess a Bachelor's Degree of not less than 120 semester hours from an accredited institution (verify accreditation at: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation) Matriculation in an accredited graduate theological school working on a qualifying degree in theology or related subjects (see the requirements above for chaplains) Maintain a full-time student status in graduate school and in any training program prescribed by your religious organization Frequently Asked Questions HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO JOIN? WHAT IS THE OLDEST YOU CAN BE TO STILL JOIN? You must be at least 21 years old and no older than 42 years of age for our pro-grams. Waivers may be available based on current needs of the Navy and exceptions to these standards will be considered on a case by case basis. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO JOIN THE NAVY? You'll need to meet your own religious faith group requirements, possess a Master’s degree (either the M.Div. or the equivalent of 72 semester hours of graduate theological study at an accredited school), the Navy's physical fitness requirements, and be a U.S. citizen. OTHER THAN A GOOD JOB, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF JOINING THE NAVY? Plenty! Here's the short list:        Outstanding educational opportunities. Exceptional training in a specialized field. Competitive salary. Excellent promotion prospects. Great sports and leisure programs. Worldwide travel and duty assignment preferences. Non-taxable housing benefits and excellent medical and dental care for you and your family. 30 days paid vacation each year. WILL THE NAVY HELP ME GET FURTHER GRADUATE EDUCATION? Absolutely. Programs such as Tuition Assistance and the GI Bill are available to qualifying individuals. The Navy also offers programs such as Navy Postgraduate School, which allows you to complete an advanced degree with a full scholarship and pay. It is a great opportunity to hone your skills during a mid-point in your Navy career. HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THESE PROGRAMS? Simply apply. Once you're on Active duty in the Navy, you can request to pay for school. If eligible for the Postgraduate School Scholarship Program, you can receive tuition and other financial benefits worth up to $80,000 at one of more than 60 leading colleges and universities. CAN I SERVE WITH THE MARINE CORPS? The Navy encourages chaplains to serve with the Marine Corps and the U.S. Coast Guard. A diverse ministry awaits you both at chapels, hospitals, overseas locations, ships, squadrons, battalions, and technical training centers, and more. While you are enjoying this diversity, you'll be working with clergy of different denominations and religious organizations. It all adds up to a wealth of enriching ministry experiences. WILL I GET TO TRAVEL IN THE NAVY? There are plenty of opportunities! Ships explore waters all over the world and often dock in foreign ports. There are also opportunities to serve ashore in places like Italy, Spain, and Japan. HOW MUCH TIME WILL I SPEND AT SEA? It depends. Normally ships will go to sea for 10 days to two weeks each month for training operations. Extended operations away from homeport can last up to six or seven months. This varies depending on the mission and type of ships. WHAT THINGS ARE THERE FOR ME TO DO ON A SHIP? There are many fun activities available to help you spend your off time. Depending on the size of the ship, you'll have exercise rooms, libraries, sports programs, theaters, computer rooms and stores. HOW LONG IS THE NORMAL WORKDAY? A normal day in the Navy is usually 8 hours. However, the time to report to work varies from command to command. A general guideline is from 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with time for lunch. HOW OFTEN WILL I GET PROMOTED Under normal circumstances, you can expect promotion from Lieutenant Junior Grade to Lieutenant in about a year. The initial rank is determined by number of years of professional service prior to your appointment as a chaplain. Some new chaplains enter as Lieutenant Junior Grade, while others enter at the rank of Lieutenant. Promotions can occur as you gain seniority and greater responsibility. WHAT IS THE STARTING SALARY, AND WHAT ABOUT RAISES? The starting basic salary range will be $3,381.00 - $3,913.00 a month, along with non-taxable benefits such as a housing allowance and allowance for subsistence. Your salary will increase throughout your time in the Navy, through time in service, promotion, and annual cost of living increases. You may also be eligible to earn more money by serving in certain locations, by using your foreign language skills, and by accumulating sea duty service time. HOW OFTEN WILL I HAVE TO MOVE? WILL THE NAVY ALSO MOVE MY SPOUSE? Once you have completed training at the Navy Chaplain School, you will move to your first permanent duty station. Moving your family to your new duty station is one of the many benefits the Department of Defense provides. A typical tour of duty lasts from 2-3 years, after which time you could expect to move again, unless you receive your next assignment in the same geographical area. Each time you move to a new permanent duty station, moving costs for you and your family will be covered by the Department of Defense.