United States Air Force Chaplain Corps
The Chaplain Corps of the United States Air Force (USAF) consists of enlisted chaplain assistants and clergy who become commissioned Air Force officers, endorsed and ordained by their particular religious organization. Their principal purpose—as a military chaplain—is to directly (provide) or indirectly (provide for) support the free exercise of religion for all members of the Military Services, their dependents, and other authorized persons. They accomplish this purpose by providing spiritual care and ethical leadership to members of the United States Department of Defense.[2]
Air Force chaplains come from a variety of religious backgrounds such as Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, or any of hundreds of religious organizations with endorsers recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board.[3]
History
Beginnings
- The history of the Air Force Chaplain Corps reflects the history of America. As defenders of the First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion in the Air Force community, the Chaplain Corps traces its roots to the very beginning of our nation.
- On July 29, 1775, the Continental Congress established the military chaplaincy. Chaplains were paid $20 per month, and provided "forage for one horse." Gen George Washington issued this order at Valley Forge on May 2, 1778: "The Commander-in-Chief directs that divine services be performed every Sunday at eleven o'clock in each bridge which has chaplains...While we are duly performing the duty of good soldiers, we are not to be inattentive to the highest duties of religion."
- Worship for soldiers was voluntary and chaplains of all faiths cooperated with each other, being sympathetic to the beliefs of others.
The Civil War to WWII
- During the Civil War, military chaplains were held in high regard and there was an increased emphasis on professionalism. Ordination by an authorized ecclesiastical body became a requirement. Commanders were made responsible for providing adequate facilities for worship, and the noncombatant status of chaplains became policy.
Office of Air Chaplain - 1942
- On July 28, 1942, Chaplain Charles Carpenter was named to fill the newly created office of Air Chaplain under the Director of Base Service, HQ Army Air Force. He was a captain at the time of the appointment. By October 1943, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel.
- On September 18, 1947 The USAF became a separate department because of the National Security Act. Would there be a separate Chaplain Corps for this newly formed Air Force? It was thought and directed that the Army would continue to provide the Air Force with chaplains. But no AAF chaplain was consulted about this agreement. This created great uncertainty for the chaplains assigned to the AAF and many who had remained on active duty after the war asked to be released.
- Both the Army and the AF opposed a separate Air Force chaplaincy on grounds that it would constitute the first violation of the Spaatz-Eisenhower Agreement, which states that parallel organizations in the Army and the AF would not be approved unless it was clear that such were organically necessary. The Army felt that a separate chaplaincy would give precedent for the separation of other services, such as medical, engineers, and legal.
Founding of the USAF Chaplain Corps
- Chaplain Carpenter, the "Air Chaplain" emphasized the need for pastoral identity of the chaplains with the men they served and favored a separate Air Force chaplaincy. In 1948, General Carl Spaatz wanted a briefing from Ch Carpenter on the reasons for a separate AF chaplaincy - just a one-page briefing. That one page briefing made all the difference.
- Gen Spaatz called Ch Carpenter to his office and told him that he had already made up his mind and he would NOT endorse a separate AF chaplaincy. He had a meeting at 1100 with the Army Chief of Chaplains to work out the details. At 1315 he received another call from the office of Gen Spaatz. "The general wants to see you, and bring that paper with you."
- General Spaatz took the piece of paper, folded it so that Ch Carpenter's signature would not show, and placed it under the glass on his desktop. He had another conference with the Army Chief of Chaplains at 1500. He then said, "I've changed my mind. The AF will have its own chaplains!" And so the Transfer Order, date 10 May 1949, made it possible for the AF to have its own chaplaincy. Less than 10 of the 458 Active Duty chaplains elected to remain in the Army.
- Ch Carpenter was then promoted to Major General and was appointed as the first Air Force Chief of Chaplains. He served from 1949 to 1958.
- The Chaplain Assistant Specialist Career field was created in 1948.
Mission statement
The Air Force Chaplain Corps has served for decades under the banner of "A Visible Reminder of the Holy." These historic words introduce our Chaplain Corps Mission Statement: "While serving as a visible reminder of the Holy, the Air Force Chaplain Corps provides spiritual care and the opportunity for Air Force members and their families to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of religion."[4]
The Chaplain Corps Vision [5]
- "Glorifying God, Serving Airmen, Pursuing Excellence" These words provide a "job description" for chaplains and chaplain assistants serving around the globe and they point the way ahead for our strategic planning.
The Chaplain Corps Core Competencies [6]
- Spiritual Care - We care for the spiritual needs of Air Force members and their families by providing for the diverse religious requirements.
- Religious, Spiritual and Moral Advice to Leadership - We provide to commanders the religious requirements, spiritual needs, and moral issues that impact mission, quality of life, and religious freedom.
The Chaplain Corps Core Values [7]
- Spiritual Health, Integrity, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
The Chaplain Corps Core Processes [8]
- Conducting Religious Observances - by providing opportunities for religious worship to Air Force members, their families and retirees.
- Providing Pastoral Care - through pastoral counseling and religious programs that serve the diverse educational, humanitarian, and personal needs of the Air Force community.
- Modeling Ethical Leadership - providing a positive influence upon the Air Force moral climate by modeling and facilitating ethical leadership to promote decision-making based not only on what is legal, but what is right.
- Advising Leadership - about the spiritual needs, religious requirements, and ethical issues that impact mission, quality of life, and religious freedoms
The Chaplain Corps Priorities
- Warrior Care, Chapel-Based Ministries, and Caring for the Caregivers
Air Force Chaplain Corps Leadership
Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil R. Richardson is Chief of Chaplains, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. As a member of the special staff of the Chief of Staff, he advises on all matters pertaining to the religious and moral welfare of Air Force personnel. He is responsible for establishing an effective total chaplain program to meet the religious needs of all members of the Air Force. As Chief of Chaplains, he is the senior pastor for more than 800,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. He leads an Air Force Chaplain Corps of approximately 2,200 chaplains and chaplain assistants from the active and Air Reserve components. As a member of the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, he and other members advise the Secretary of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff on religious, ethical and quality-of-life concerns.[9]
Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) David H. Cyr is the Air Force Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. He assists the Chief of Chaplains in directing and maintaining a trained, equipped and professional Chaplain Corps. This includes more than 2,200 chaplains and chaplain assistants from the active and Air Reserve components which provide opportunities for the free exercise of religion to all Air Force people and their families worldwide. As a member of the Armed Forces Chaplain Board, he and other members advise the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff on religious, ethical and quality of life concerns.[10]
Chief Master Sergeant Charles D. Johnson is the Chaplain Assistant Career Field Manager, Headquarters, United States Air Force, Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. Chief Johnson manages all aspects of the chaplain assistant career field including the specialty description, manpower, personnel, readiness, and training. He prepares chaplain assistants to support the Air Force mission and the Air Force Chaplain Corps during war, contingencies, national emergencies, military exercises and peacetime operations. He advises the Air Force Chief of Chaplains on policy matters regarding chaplain assistants and the Air Force Chaplain Corps.[11]
Air Force Chaplain Service Institute
The Air Force Chaplain Service Institute (AFCSI) is part of the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Center (AFCC), which also includes the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School (USACHCS) and the U.S. Naval Chaplaincy School and Center (NCSC). The three schools are co-located at Fort Jackson, in Columbia, S.C.[1]
In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission decided to put all military ministry training at the same location.[1]
The purpose of the AFCC is to have closer cooperation among the three chaplain corps and to share instruction and training.[1]
Chaplain Recruiting Guidance
Currently, there are over 500 active duty Air Force chaplains and nearly 600 in service with the Reserves and Air National Guard. Each chaplain is endorsed by his or her own religious group and remains faithful to the tenets of that body. Chaplains also offer a broadly based ministry aimed at meeting the diverse pastoral needs of the pluralistic military community. Active duty and Reserve chaplains are responsible for supporting both directly and indirectly the free exercise of religion for all members of the Military Services, their dependents, and other authorized persons.[12]
Accession Guidance [13]
- Force shaping has a direct impact on chaplain accessions. The Chaplain Corps outlines force management chaplain personnel requirements, establishing a limited number of individuals that can be accessed each fiscal year. As a result, Air Force Recruiting Service must have in place flexible and time-sensitive procedures capable of responding to these critical personnel requirements.
Accession Process [14]
- 1. Air Force Recruiting Service and ecclesiastical endorsers make every effort to discuss and coordinate on personnel requirements and perspective individual applicants prior to the completion of DD Form 2088. (Use form dated May 2006).
- 2. Upon the reception of the DD Form 2088, the applicant is screened to ensure that appropriate Chaplain Corps personnel management and accession requirements are met.
- 3. The appropriate Air Force Agencies review and ensure Air Force requirements are met; agency must recommend accession.
Accession Requirements [15]
- - Ecclesiastical Endorsement, DD Form 2088 (May 2006).
- - United States Citizenship (No Dual Citizenship).
Academic Requirements [16]
- - Baccalaureate degree with no fewer than 120 hours from an accredited institution.
- - Post-Baccalaureate degree in the field of theology or related studies from a qualifying graduate degree program with no less than 72 Semester Hours from an accredited institution.
Pastoral Ministry Requirement [17]
- - Two years of religious leadership experience.
Age Requirement [18]
- - Must enter active duty (EAD) prior to 42.
AF Commissioning Requirements [19]
- - Be within AF height and weight standards.
- - Meet qualifying standards for a Commissioning physical.
- - Pass Background Security Investigation.
- - Satisfy all appropriate commissioning requirements.
Religious Professional Scholarship Program [20]
- The Religious Professional Scholarship Program is designed to assist the Air Force with future accessions. Scholarships are awarded to applicants who are qualified and meet Air Force needs. To qualify for the program, applicants must meet Air Force commissioning requirements, receive written permission from a listed DoD ecclesiastical endorser, be in good academic standing, be younger than 39 upon completion of theological studies, and be a US citizen, w/ no dual citizenship. For more information about the program, write to chaplains@randolph.af.mil or call 1-800-803-2452.
Noncombatant status
- See: Military chaplain#Noncombatant status
Chaplain assistant
Chaplains are assisted by chaplain assistants, who are Air Force enlisted personnel. Together, they form a Religious Support Team.[2]
Specialty insignia
- See also: Air Force Occupational badges
Chiefs of Air Force Chaplains
Joint-base chaplaincy
Chapel at U.S. Air Force Academy
Various Prayers
See also
Further reading
- See: Military chaplain#Further reading
External links
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| Chiefs of Chaplains |
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Senior USMC/USCG Chaplains
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| Chiefs of Chaplains (members) |
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| Deputy Chiefs of Chaplains (members) |
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| Executive Director (staff) |
COL Thomas E. Preston (USA Chaplain)
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