Navy Chaplain US Navy

About
As a Navy Chaplain, you will be the voice of encouragement, reason, and hope to thousands of Sailors and Marines, supporting and uplifting the brave men and women who have chosen to serve their country. The Navy Chaplain Corps boasts more than 800 Navy Chaplains from more than 100 different faith groups, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and many others.

Responsibilities
As a Navy Chaplain, your job spans a broad range of duties. You will support fellow service members during their most joyful and most difficult moments. Your responsibilities might be to:

• Conduct worship services in a variety of settings
• Perform religious rites and ceremonies such as weddings, funeral services and baptisms
• Counsel individuals who seek guidance
• Oversee religious education programs, such as Sunday school and youth groups
• Visit and provide spiritual guidance and care to hospitalized personnel and their family members
• Train lay leaders who conduct religious education programs
• Promote attendance at religious services, retreats and conferences
• Advise leaders at all levels regarding morale, ethics and spiritual well-being

Pay and Benefits
Active-duty Chaplains receive:

• Competitive salary
• Health insurance
• Housing
• A retirement plan
• 30 days paid vacation

Education Opportunities
If you’re in the process of starting or completing your graduate theological degree, you could potentially enter the Navy Chaplain Candidate Program (CCPO) as a student.

Active-duty Navy Chaplains can advance their education by:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Navy Tuition Assistance Program
• Pursuing opportunities at institutions such as Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) or Navy War College (NWC)
• Completing Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) at one of the various service colleges
• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

Qualifications and Requirements

• U.S. Citizen (required)
• MDiv or 72 semester hour Graduate degree in theological or related studies from an accredited educational institution
• Have two years of full-time religious leadership experience
• Must be able to obtain an Ecclesiastical Endorsement from a religious faith organization registered with the Department of Defense

Work Environment
Navy Chaplains immerse themselves in the daily lives of service members. In what can be best described as a ministry of presence, they are there to offer guidance and insight in the moment, whenever they’re needed. You could provide support while on land or at sea, when presiding over religious ceremonies on a base or when conducting services from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.

Part-Time Opportunities
There are part-time opportunities as a Navy Chaplain. Serving part-time as a Reserve Chaplain gives you the flexibility to minister in the Navy while maintaining responsibilities to your congregation at home.