Armed Forces and Veteran Chaplaincy Services

If you are interested in Military or VA hospital Chaplaincies, please call

Phone 803-834-2891

Chaplain Candidate Program

Are you looking for an exciting new way to practice your ministry?

Then the Chaplain Candidate Program in the United States Armed Forces may be right for you. The chaplain candidate programs allow seminary students to gain ministry experience and serve

their country while studying for ordination. The United States Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Navy, Reserve and Air Force Reserve all provide a chaplain candidate program for seminary students who are interested in becoming military chaplains.

Chaplain candidates are full time seminary students who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least 120 semester hours. Chaplain candidates are directly commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants

or Ensigns (O-1) and attend a basic officer’s training course. Chaplain candidates are

paid as officers (O-1) and may also receive educational benefits as well. Chaplain

candidates endorsed by the Orthodox catholic Archdiocese in North America should

be those who feel called to pursue ordination to the priesthood through the canonical process.

The various branches of the military have different requirements for join their

chaplain candidate programs. The requirements can be found at these locations:

**Army: **http://www.goarmy.com/chaplain/chaplain_candidate_prog.jsp

Navy: Find Careers in the U.S. Navy | Navy.com

**Air Force: **http://www.afrc.af.mil/library/chaplain/howtojoin/candidate/index.asp

For Chaplains seeking affiliation with the OCANA Clergy seeking endorsement through the Orthodox Catholic Archdiocese in North America who were ordained by non-Catholic or Orthodox Church should contact the Vicar General in order to insure that all pertinent canonical  requirements are met before endorsement.

Military Service Links

The following are links to each Service’s web site:

• Air Force Chaplain Corps

• Army Chaplaincy

• Coast Guard*****

• Marine Corps*****

• Navy*****

• The Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy are under the same command

Rule of Life for Chaplains

These are the Spiritual Guidelines for all Chaplains.

Chaplains are to pray daily the Morning and Evening Office.

Intercessory prayers are to be offered daily for all OCANA Chaplains by name.

Chaplains are to correspond with their endorsing bishop four times a year during

the Ember Days providing him with an update of their ministries, their families, and what spiritual/theological reading is being done.

Chaplains are to make a sacramental confession during Advent and Lent.

It is encouraged that there be greater frequency beyond the seasons of Advent and Lent. They are to seek out a receptive Roman Catholic priest if an OCANA priest is not available. Chaplains are expected to attend the Annual Conference.

Chaplains are to make an annual monetary gift to the Chaplaincy Deanery of the Archdiocese