All Army chaplains must complete the Chaplain Officer Basic Course (CHOBC). This course takes place at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School (USACHCS) at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina.
I am frequently questioned by civilians whether chaplains go through basic training. No, chaplains do not go through basic training (boot camp), as enlisted personnel do. However, all officers go through some basic course. Most officers are made either through Officer Candidate School (OCS) or through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). And all officers must complete their Officer Basic Course (OBC) to become qualified in the branch in which they will serve–such as infantry, finance, artillery, etc. The course that qualifies chaplains in their branch is CHOBC.
Now, someone will ask, “Is it possible to be a chaplain without completing CHOBC?” Yes and no. Some Reserve and National Guard soldiers who already have completed the requirements for serving as a chaplain (other than CHOBC) are given slots as assignments with their local units. However, they are non-deployable because they are not branch qualified, and they must complete CHOBC within a certain period of time after appointment. This case does not apply to chaplain candidates.
Chaplain Candidates may enroll in CHOBC for a summer course (June-September) or a winter course (January-April). In order to enroll, candidates must have completed at least 24 semester hours of seminary coursework in the year preceding the CHOBC class they will enter; in some cases, this prerequisite may be waived or altered–contact the Chaplain Candidate Manager if you have some special circumstance.
Additionally, a chaplain candidates may not complete the entire course at one time, unless he is about to enter his senior year of seminary, or has already complete seminary. Instead, he may enroll in the course in phases. (There are also practicums available that can provide more training opportunities.)
CHOBC is divided into four phases: Chaplain Initial Military Training (CIMT, a.k.a. “Common Core”), Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III. CIMT is the acclimation phase for new soldiers; it includes instruction in common soldiering skills and a short field training exercise (FTX); those who have prior service or are transferring branches may be able to forgo this phase. Also, prior service or branch transfer soldiers may be able to complete Phase I by correspondence. Consult the Chaplain Candidate Manager for assistance. Phases 1, 2, and 3 are primarily focused on classroom instruction, though Phase 3 does include a final FTX aimed at practical application of the CHOBC instruction up to that point.
The next two installments of this series will provide more information about preparing for and thriving in CHOBC.
Table of contents for Chaplain Candidacy
- The Army chaplain candidate program
- So you want to be a chaplain?
- How do I learn more about becoming a chaplain candidate? Part 1.
- How do I learn more about becoming a chaplain candidate? Part 2.
- The chaplain candidate appointment process. Part 1.
- The chaplain candidate appointment process. Part 2.
- I’m a Second Lieutenant. Now what?
- CHOBC. Part 1.
- Chaplain Candidate series to be expanded
can’t wait to hear more about CHOBC
You have already answered several of the questions I have been unable to answer thus far. I wish I had found your blog sooner. However, I noticed that your last update was March 5th. You are providing an invaluable service to chaplain candidates, I urgue you to continue updating this blog.
God bless and all the best,
Jeremiah
Jeremiah, I’m glad that this information was useful. I am currently engaged in Iraq, and don’t have time to complete the series for now. I do intend to follow up on it when I return home. Please keep checking back for future updates. If I can help you with a specific question, please feel free to contact me.
Hello Sirs
I am 49 and want to serve the Lord with all I do now and forever. I have a strong burden to be involved with the war effort. I strongly support the President in all his efforts and willing to give my life to help the soldiers. I have been a farmer in Indiana for all my life. And have CdL drivers licence also driving the country 150,000 miles per year for at least 10 years of my life. What do I need to do to be a chaplen serving the Lord in the war effort. I am 5ft 8in tall 162 lb good health, travel international many times. I have been told that I am to old for National Guard, but no age limit for chaplen.
Thank you …………………………In Jesus Christ………………
Howard, what is your religious preference? The only exception that currently exists for persons of your age to becoming chaplains is for Roman Catholics; for Roman Catholic priests, the age limit is 52 for AD chaplaincy.
For all others, you must be able to enter AD as a chaplain by age 42 if you have no prior military service–or by age 44 if you have prior military service.
At age 49, you are past the age limit. Also, even if you were 40, for example, but had not completed seminary and ministry experience, you would still be past the age limit by the time you met these requirements.
I encourage you to find other ways in which you can minister to soldiers. Some churches near military installations offer programs for soldiers. Some ministers offer special programs on installations, such as Bible studies, special religious services, etc. You can also volunteer with some of the organizations that have military outreaches, such as the Navigators. Your involvement is only limited by your creativity and desire to meet the needs of the local installation chaplain’s office.
Fr. Daniel,
I am interested in becoming a chaplain (any branch of the military), however I have a few hurdles - I am 30 years old, 5′10″ and I am extremely over weight (300 lbs). I only have one year of community college, but I do have a 2 year degree from a non-accredited bible college. I am a licensed minister with a non-denominational ministerial fellowship.
If I understand you correctly, I would need to loose a lot of weight, get a four year degree, and go through Officer Training BEFORE I would be eligible as a chaplain. Is that correct? Any advise as to how I should proceed???
Dale
Yes the first thing to do would be to loose the weight. There is a program for individuals that have a Bachelor’s Degree. It is the Chaplain Candidate program. I would love to talk to you about it and what requirements you need. Give me a call
CH Scott Ehler
(770) 363-0253
I am a Minister of an Evangelical Protestant church here in Madagascar. I have been pastoring that church for ten years. I got my Bth in a Protestant Seminar here in Madagascar. I am realy interested in army chaplaincy since I was converted. I have a very big burdens of Army positions. I stood for an officer in Military Academy of Madagascar when I got my baccalaureat 14 years ago but I couldn’t. I spoke to the National Military Chaplain of Madagascar few times ago about this. He said that it’s Malagasy Government deal to chose one to be an Army chaplain. It’s only one for all Malagasy Nation. I am married and I have 2 children, I am 36 years old now.
I live here in Madagascar but I am ready to go wherever God wants me to go and to use. I’m also ready to be trained to do so.
Please get me in touch with you so that I can get more information about it.
Minister Mamy RASOLOFONDRAINIBE
Cell. +261 33 11 640 32
e.mail : mamynjh@yahoo.fr
I am 41 years old, single and have three minors(15,11 and 10 months old), my daughters, who are 20 years old are willing to care for my adopted boys. Everyone discourages me to join. I am very familiar with the Army my former spouse retired from the Army, we were married 14 years while he was in the service. I have been ordained for 8 years, have a Masters Degree and am currently finishing my D.Min. I just e-mailed my professor, he does not like the idea. He thinks I would be great as a Youth Pastor. I never felt the calling for this. i always felt the lord either called me into the hospitals or the military.
Any advise from other females, possibly single with children. I feel very strongly that I am called to serve in this capacity.
Thanks for your advise.
Marion
I have a friend who is 27 years old and has a heart fully committed to serving the Lord. The Lord has place a strong desire on his heart to be a Chaplain. I am trying to do all i can to help collect the information that he needs to apply and join a program. He has been a member of First Baptist Church of Atlanta for over ten years and has both his bachelors’ degree and his master of divinity. is there any information that you give send me so i can forward it on to him. thank you so much
in His grace
Ori
ORI,
I am the Chaplain recruiter here in the ATLANTA area and the rest of the southeast US. Would love to give you lots of information on the Chaplaincy. Please give me a call or drop and email to me
scott.ehler@us.army.mil
(770) 363-0253
(770) 866-3630
Hello there,
I’m a recent college graduate with prior military experience in the Natl. Guard.
I’m a Pentecostal minister in training who’s recently applied for graduate work in theology.
Is it possible to go into the CCP? Also can I do this for the Active Army?, or is it strictly Reserve components? Thanks and be blessed.
Abel, yes the candidate program is a possibility. Chaplain candidates are only in RC because they are only in the program while in seminary or after seminary while gaining the requisite ministry experience. This can’t be accomplished on active duty. After completing all of the requirements, candidates can be accessioned to either RC or AD.
Good evening, I am a female pastor at Reviving Grace Tabernacle in Dallas, Texas. I am currently 33 years old. God called me to be a Chaplain in the military at the end of 2005 and I have been working with the Navy to be commissioned for a while. Due to no openings I was denied. I do have the option to re-apply in 6 months but some of the Chaplains suggested that I try the Army. My question is if I do apply with the Army do I have to go through the MEPs process and gathering transcript, medical history, and references over again? I have been through along process with the Navy with losing the required weight and it has been a long transition. I believe with all my heart that the call on my life is as real now as it was 3 years ago to be on the front lines with the men and women of this country. Please assist me with this decision through prayer and information. Thank you!
Sidnei, yes, you would need to go through some of the process again, such as sending in transcripts, references, endorsement, etc. Presumably, you have copies of the MEPS and other paperwork, and could simply send it in. Contact an Army Chaplain recruiter to discuss the specifics of your situation. If you have been through this process with the Navy already, you should have or know how to get most of the required documentation quickly; I suspect the process would take a short amount of time.
Sidnei
I would love to walk you through the process, please give me a call (770) 866-3630
CH(CPT) Scott Ehler
Chaplain Recruiter