<p>First time poster on the SA lists...my son is thinking about going into the chaplaincy and we were curious if it is possible to do this via the Academy (or after?) and how one would go about the process. Many thanks!</p>
<p>It is my understanding that military chaplaincy is an entirely different route. Chaplaincy requires a masters degree from a seminary then licensing by a religious denomination. Then an appointment to a military branch. A military recruiter or a denomination office would have specific information. I would think there is info on the web.</p>
<p>Actually, a firstie in my company is the first in Academy history to be going to the Chaplain Corps after graduation. It wasn't easy, and because it's the first time, it's pretty hard to explain. For service selection, on paper he's going NFO, but he won't ever go to P-cola.</p>
<p>I honestly don't know a whole lot about it, and from what I've gathered, there's a lot of fenaggling behind it.</p>
<p>Just don't plan on it. If you're physically qualified and at USNA, you have to go unrestricted (read: combat applicable) line. This is SWO, Subs, USMC, SEAL, EOD, Pilot, NFO...you get the idea.</p>
<p>If you REALLY want chaplain corps, go to ROTC or OCS.</p>
<p>Rear Admiral Alan Baker, Navy Deputy Chief of Chaplains and Chaplain of the Marine Corps, is a 1978 graduate of USNA who went SWO. After his 5 years, he went into the reserves and attended seminary. He then returned to active duty as a chaplain. Practically speaking, this is the only route you could do through USNA (though I guess one mid will be doing it through another route). Rear Admiral Baker is the 1st Deputy Chief of Chaplains to come from USNA and be a Surface Warfare Officer.</p>
<p>I think socaldreamers is correct. That's basically how it was explained to us by the AF chaplains.</p>
<p>Just based on what I saw in the Fleet, I think Jadler is closest to the right answer here.</p>
<p>Short answer seems to be ... timely calling and direct divinity prep would be best elsewhere.</p>
<p>I think all of the chaplain candidates are in the reserves until they get their permission, or whatever it is, from their denomination and there is a slot of their denomination available.</p>