Chaplain at U.S. Navy

To be eligible to enlist in the U.S. Navy, candidates must be between the ages of 18-34

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.

For additional information regarding the Chaplain service, please call 888-NAVYCHC or 888-628-9242.

RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Navy Chaplain, your job spans a broad range of duties. You will support fellow servicemembers 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

From the day you start, youll receive:
Competitive salary
Free health insurance
Free housing
A retirement plan
30 days paid vacation per year

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

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

Opportunities for continuing education are available through the Advanced Education Program while being paid full-time as a Navy Officer. Beyond professional credentials and certifications, 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

Find out more about additional education opportunities for Officers, including post-graduate school.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

U.S. citizen or equivalent
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

General qualifications may vary depending upon whether youre currently serving, whether youve served before or whether youve never served before.

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 theyre 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.

Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Navy Reserve Sailors.

Job Industries

• Government & Military