Ecclesiastical Endorsement/Degrees For Military Chaplaincy

We're The Only Universal Life Church Who Can Offer Ecclesiastical Endorsement For Those Who Wish To Be a Military Chaplain


I regularly receive calls from prospective chaplains who ask for "credentials" so that they can become "full-fledged chaplains." They often call with a number of mistaken notions. Some have never heard of the term "endorsement." Some think that an ecclesiastical endorsement is the same as ordination or perhaps is like a letter of recommendation. Many also think that the process of endorsement is a simple, overnight process. In truth, few chaplains and even fewer pastors understand just what an ecclesiastical endorsement is and means.


What An Endorsement Is Not
An ecclesiastical endorsement is not a letter of recommendation. Anyone or any church can write a recommendation. Only recognized ecclesiastical endorsing agencies can legally endorse. An ecclesiastical endorsement is not ordination. Only a denomination, faith group, or church has the God-given authority to ordain.


What An Endorsement Is
An ecclesiastical endorsement is a legal document that states that an ordained minister is spiritually, doctrinally, educationally, and professionally qualified to represent his/her church or faith community in a specialized setting (beyond the local congregation) ministering to all in a religiously diverse context. Simply stated, an endorsement is the document that makes a "general" minister a very specialized one -- a "chaplain."

Chaplain Requirements
http://www.goarmy.com/chaplain/about/requirements.html

1.) You must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from your faith group. This endorsement should certify that you are:

 

A.) A clergy person in your denomination or faith group.

B.) Qualified spiritually, morally, intellectually and emotionally to serve as a Chaplain in the Army.

C.) 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.

 

 

2.) Educationally, you must: CLICK HERE THIS LINK - We offer such degrees and degree programs

 

A.) Possess a baccalaureate degree of not less than 120 semester hours.

B.) 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.

 

 

3.) Applicants for active duty or the National Guard MUST be U.S. citizens. Permanent residents can ONLY apply for the Army Reserve.

 

4.) Be able to receive a favorable National Agency Security Clearance.

 

5.) Pass a physical exam at one of our Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS).

 

6.) 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).

 

7.) Must be at least 21 years of age, but younger than 45 at time of appointment. Prior service applicants with at least 3 years of prior AFS or creditable USAR service must be younger than 47 at time of appointment.

 

This is an actual letter from an
army recruiter to one of our ministers.

 

Dear XXXXXX:

 

I am more than willing to assist you in your endeavor to become
an Army Strong professional Chaplain and assist you in having a
recruiter contact you for an appointment.

I will be glad to evaluate your application eligibility if you would
please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire and return it.

Providing the information below will not obligate you to anything, it
simply assists in helping me determine what opportunities may await you
in the United States Army or Army Reserve.

DATA REQUIRED BY THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 AUTHORITY:  

 

Title 5, Section 3012; Title 10, USC, EO 9397 PRINCIPAL
PURPOSE: Provide data required by the Army Recruiting Command to
establish minimum qualification(s) on eligibility for enlistment
/processing into the Army or Army Reserve. This information is
confidential and will not be released to person(s) outside the
Recruiting Command.

EFFECT OF NOT RELEASING INFORMATION:

 

Disclosure by individual of information requested is entirely voluntary.  

Failure to provide this information will result in not knowing your full

eligibility on joining the Army or Army Reserve.

Please place your answers beside each question and do not delete the
questions. You will have to click on the email to open it. Then hit
reply in the top left corner. It will let you correspond then. If it
does not then just label your answers 1- 42 and answer them that way.

[1]     First Name:
[2]     Middle Initial:
[3]     Last Name:
[4]     Male or Female:
[5]     Have you ever served in any Military Branch of Service?
[6]     What is your date of birth?
[7]     Do you currently possess a baccalaureate degree of not less
than 120 semester hours?
[8]     Do you currently possess a master's degree in divinity or a
graduate degree in theological   studies, which includes at least 72
hours?
[9]     What denomination / Faith group are you affiliated with?
[9a.]   Are you currently endorsed by a denomination, if so who?

[10]    Are you Roman Catholic, Jewish, Orthodox, Buddhist or Muslim?
[11]    What is your height and weight?
[12]    Do you now or have you ever had any medical issues?
          If so, what type?
[13]    Have you ever had surgery?
          If so, what type & when?
[14]    Are you currently taking any meds?
          If so, please list the type:
[15]    List all juvenile and adult law violations with dates (records
are checked) or the word none:
          Provide date charged and final disposition of charges.
          Are you currently on probation, do you have any outstanding
fines?
[16]    Have you ever had a bankruptcy? If so, when was it discharged?
[17]    Are you a US citizen?
          If not, do you have a Green Card?
[18]    Your resident address, not PO Box:
[19]    City:
[20]    State:
[21]    Zip code:
[22]    Home Phone:
[23]    Email:
[24]    When is the best time to reach you?
[25]    Are you interested in Active Army or Army Reserves?

The Following Questions Only Apply To Prior Military

[27]    What Branch of Service were you in?
[28]    Are you currently in the IRR?

Answer the following questions using your DD form 214 (Active Duty)

[29]    What is in Block 4b?
[30]    What is in Block 6?
[31]    What is in Block 12a?
[32]    What is in Block 12b?
[33]    Is Block 15b marked yes or no?
[34]    What is in Block 23?
[35]    What is in Block 24?
[36]    What is in Block 26?
[37]    What is in Block 27?
[38]    What is in Block 28?

Answer the following questions using your DD form NGB 22 (National
Guard)

[39]    What is in Block 5b?
[40]    What is in Block 10a?
[41]    What is in Block 23?
[42]    What is in Block 26?


Take care and have a blessed day!

Please, feel free to email me with any additional questions or concerns
you may have.

Respectfully,

Ray A. Chitwood, Contractor
Cyber Recruiter
U.S. Army Recruiting Command
MPRIgoarmy@usarec.army.mil

These are interchangeable with the Department
of Corrections for Prison Chaplains as well

The Only Official Certified & Verified Ordinations
or Degree's Website With the Trust-Guard Seal

 

Universal Life Church
Tel No: (850)926-6085

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