About Us
What Chaplains Do
- Provide counseling, religious education, and special events
- Oversee religious ministries, officiate at worship services, funerals, memorials, and other military functions
- Provide religious ministry to foreign military personnel and civilians
Non-Combatants
Chaplains are non-combatants and do not carry a weapon. As a Guard chaplain, you'll lead a Unit Ministry Team (UMT), which consists of you and a trained Religious Affairs Specialist (an enlisted Soldier trained to support chaplains during their missions and everyday activities).
chaplains in action
Praying in Hollywood
Praying in Hollywood
Praying in Hollywood
National Guard Chaplain prays with protesters in June
Responding to COVID
Praying in Hollywood
Praying in Hollywood
Chaplains reach out to Cal Guard members fighting COVID-19
What is an ecclesiastical endorsement?
Each denomination or endorsing body that is recognized by the Department of Defense provides endorsement for chaplains. This endorsement (also referred to as "ecclesiastical approval") is one of the most important items for any chaplain or chaplain candidate to secure before you can be considered for service in the chaplaincy.
Chaplain Requirements
For chaplains, the ecclesiastical endorsement states that:
- You are an ordained minister or member in good standing of the respective denomination or body
- You have completed a certain number of years of ministry experience
- The denomination approves of your serving as a military chaplain (side-job)
Chaplain Candidate Requirements
For chaplain candidates, the ecclesiastical approval is simply a certification** that:
- You are pursuing the fulfillment of the requirements for chaplaincy
- You are recognized as a member in good standing of the denomination or body
**Form DD 2088 is needed for ecclesiastical endorsement.