THEOLOGICAL STUDENT PROGRAM
To assist in the orderly
procurement of chaplains, the Department of the Navy sponsors a program
for theological students. The Chaplain Candidate Program is designed to
provide an opportunity for theological students to affiliate with the
Naval Reserve, receive a commission as a student officer, and receive
training in preparation for possible entry into the Navy Chaplaincy.
Although this is a Chaplain Corps Program, the commissioned student is
not a commissioned chaplain.
Qualified college graduates, with at
least 120 semester hours of undergraduate credits, who are attending
accredited theological schools, may be commissioned in the grade of
ensign in the Navy Reserve. A student may be promoted to Lieutenant
(junior grade) (LTJG) in the program and will hold his or her commission
until graduation and ordination. At that time, the commission may be
superseded by a direct appointment to LTJG, Chaplain Corps, U.S. Naval
Reserve with or without extended active duty.
Requirements
- Approval (endorsement) by an ecclesiastical agency recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board.
- At least 21 and less than 36 years old.
- Citizen of the United States of America.
- Physically qualified by the standards of Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, U.S. Navy.
- Possess 120 semester hours of undergraduate credits from an
accredited college or university listed in the "Education Possess 120
semester hours of Directory, Colleges & Universities" published by
the Department of Education (formerly HEW).
- Be matriculated in a theological school listed in the
Official Catholic Directory, the Directory of the Association of
Theological Schools, or a graduate school of religion which is a
component part of a college or university listed in the "Education
Directory, Colleges & Universities" as accredited on the graduate
theological level, toward an MDiv or equivalent degree of 72 semester
hours.
No Financial Assistance: the
Chaplain Candidate Program does not provide tuition nor does it give a
financial subsidy for theological students.
Training
Students in the Program are expected to attend the
eight-week basic course at the Naval Chaplains School, Newport, Rhode
Island. The course may be divided into two four-week periods attended at
separate times. Even though most Theological Student Program Officers
attend the basic course in the summer, the course may be attended during
the fall, winter, or spring sessions. A student attending the Chaplains
School will be paid full pay and allowances as an ensign for the
duration of the school, as well as for travel to and from the school.
Following completion of Chaplains
School, two weeks of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) for the
following year, such as the Marine Corps Indoctrination course, may be
requested. Thirty days of on-the-job training may also be requested by
Chaplain Candidate Program Officers.
Drilling
Theological Student Program Officers may affiliate with
chaplain or general Volunteer Training Units in the Naval Reserve. They
will not be assigned to pay billets. Participation in the Naval Reserve
training program is understood to be permissive on the part of the Navy
and voluntary on the part of the student while in theological school.
Because of the priority given to completing their theological training,
Chaplain Candidate Program Officers are not required to attend unit
drills. However, they are encouraged to participate as fully as possible
in the Naval Reserve, thereby taking advantage of available training,
the experience of the chaplain(s) in the Reserve unit, and accruing
points toward years of qualifying service.
Benefits
Students appointed as ensigns in this program are entitled
to all the privileges commensurate with their rank and classifications.
As they avail themselves of training, the students accrue longevity for
pay purposes which will materially benefit them upon commencement of
active duty.
Obligation
After they are commissioned, students in this program must attend
Chaplains School at their earliest convenience. Upon graduation and
ordination, the Theological Student Program Officer must accept, if
offered, a superseding commission in the Chaplain Corps, U.S. Naval
Reserve. Upon acceptance of the superseding commission, the chaplain is
obligated to six years of service in the Naval Reserve, the first five
of which shall be in a Ready Reserve status. A new ecclesiastical
endorsement is required for a superseding commission.
Please contact +Rick for endorsement or episcopal protection at his email
