Navy Chaplain Reserve
Navy Reserves:
As a Chaplain in the U.S. Navy Reserve, you’ll be standing by, ready to assist the Fleet wherever needed. With Reserve Centers across the nation, you get the Navy community and benefits you love, plus the civilian life you joined to protect.
You’ll drill one weekend a month and attend Annual Training for two weeks a year, so you can serve around your schedule in a location convenient to you. Whether you’re joining for the first time, have served in the past or are just transitioning out of Active Duty, life in the Reserve combines all the Navy benefits, camaraderie and culture you enjoy as a Sailor with everything you love about your personal life.
This is a military position. All applicants must be US Citizens.
Chaplains are crucial members of the military that provide religious and spiritual support to our nation's war fighters. Chaplains serve on military installations, Navy ships, and are willing/able to deploy to combat zones and overseas locations for duration of time.
Apply here.
ABOUT:
Navy Chaplains are ministers, first and foremost.
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. Each Chaplain is also a Navy Officer, meaning each holds an important leadership role.
Chaplain Mission:
- Providing religious ministry and support to those of your own faith
- Facilitating the religious requirements of those from all faiths
- Caring for all service members and their families, including those with no specific faith
- Advising the command in ensuring the free exercise of religion
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
Physically Fit and able to meet Navy standards, including body composition.
Have an established ministerial identity within your faith group.
Able to relocate every 2-3 years and deploy (serve in austere environment) for extended periods of time.
Able to communicate at a professional level through various forms of communication.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Navy Chaplains are members of the military.
As a Navy Chaplain, your job spans a broad range of duties. You will support fellow service members during their most joyful moments, and during their most difficult. Your responsibilities might include:
- 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/or 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
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Navy Chaplains serve under military orders.
Navy Chaplains immerse themselves in the daily lives of service members. They are there to offer guidance and insight in the moment, whenever they are 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.
REQUIRED BASIC TRAINING
Those pursuing a Chaplain position are required to attend five-weeks at Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. Upon completion, they attend a seven-week course at the Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, also in Newport, RI. As a Chaplain in the Reserves, you have the option to complete these mandatory trainings in 1-month blocks over the course of 2 years.
Promotion opportunities are regularly available but are competitive and based on performance. It is also important to note that specialized training received and work experience gained in the course of service can lead to valuable credentialing and occupational opportunities in related fields such as family counseling and behavioral therapy.
RESERVE BENEFITS
Our people are our most valuable assets, so we care for them well. With world-class training, access to the best health care in the country, retirement plans, tax incentives, and more perks than you could have imagined, Navy Reserve benefits are the most competitive out there. Peace of mind is right at your doorstep.
- Promotions based on ability and performance
- Comprehensive medical and dental care
- Excellent retirement benefits
All applicants must:
- Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year undergraduate educational institution
- Have a graduate degree in theological or related studies from an accredited educational institution (note that a qualifying degree program requires no fewer than 72 semester hours or 108 quarter hours of graduate-level work; also note that related studies may include graduate courses in pastoral counseling, social work, religious administration and similar disciplines when one-half of the earned credits include topics in general religion, world religions, the practice of religion, theology, religious philosophy, religious ethics and/or the foundational writings from the applicant's religious tradition)
- Have two years of full-time religious leadership post-graduate degree experience that is compatible with the duties of a Religious Ministry Professional (RMP) in their respective Religious Organizations (RO) and relevant to the settings of military chaplaincy
- 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 you are currently serving, whether or not you have served before.
Apply here.