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U.S. Army Chaplains serve both God and country by bringing their unique gifts with which they are endowed by God, to the Soldiers of our nation in the broad, challenging, diverse, and ever changing environment of the Army. While the benefits and pay of an Army Chaplain are often much better than what a minister normally receives, the requirements and stakes are much higher! Army Chaplains are our nation's Soldiers who minister to our nation's sons and daughters, and their families. Like any Soldier, they must endure the hardships, separations, and deprivations of those whom they serve. Like any Minister, they must provide dynamic and genuine ministry with a shepherd's heart.
Our nation's sons and daughters need qualified, committed, and called men and women to serve as spiritual leaders to them in the fulfillment of their duty. Will you consider the call? The need has never been greater, the experience never so rich.
Qualified and sent by their religious bodies, trained by the U.S. Army, and led by the God that they serve, Army Chaplains are expected to exercise dynamic and influential spiritual leadership, without violating their faith or conscience. Army Chaplains are the 'soul and conscience' of our nation's Army.
Whether leading worship, patrolling the motor pool, or visiting the hospital, Army Chaplains are always at the frontline of the Soldiers' life. Additionally, Army Chaplains serve on a Commander's special staff in order to ensure that their spiritual gifts and leadership are integrated in the daily exercise of command decisions.
The Army has a place for you if you have a place in your heart for Soldiers. We have both full-time and part-time positions. Many of these positions are right in your own backyard. We even have a place for you if you're a ministerial student.
Explore the site. Talk with an Army Chaplain. Your nation needs you. Consider the Call!
Considering the Army Chaplaincy? Here's everything you need to know.
Learn how you can train to become an Army Chaplain at the same time you are training for the ministry.
Meet some of the Chaplains who are providing for the spiritual needs of America's sons and daughters.
- Chaplain Panzer - Ministry of Presence
CHAPLAIN PANZER
Ministry of Presence
I am Father Joel Panzer. I'm in training here at Fort Jackson at the United States Army Chaplain Center and School. I've been studying here for the last 9 weeks and we have about 4 weeks left in our program.
I got the calling when I attended a priest retreat. I very much wanted to give the Chaplaincy a try because I could feel the Holy Spirit starting to lead me to trying this important ministry.
I entered the Army Chaplaincy with the same attitude that I had entered the seminary: That if I as a committed and practicing member of the Catholic Church don't answer this call, who else is going to?
An Army Chaplain has to have what we call "A Ministry of Presence." That means being out there with the Soldiers wherever they, are not just on Sundays but wherever they are training out in the field so they know we are constantly behind them.
I would simply encourage any priest or Catholic seminarian who is thinking about serving in the Army Chaplaincy not to be afraid to delve a little bit deeper into the possibility none of us knows what we can do until we give it a try and certainly the Army has a great need for priests and is very supportive and welcoming of us.
I look forward to serving in the Army in whatever way I'll be needed. I think that's where I want to be and where the Lord wants me to be as well.
