Interested in serving on active duty as a military chaplain? In one of the Reserve or Guard components? As a chaplain with the Department of Veterans Affairs or in the Civil Air Patrol? It's a great ministry and a unique opportunity to serve as a pastor and a missionary in a very special environment. There are two steps involved.

• One is to secure your "Ecclesiastical Endorsement."
• The other is to be accepted by the service branch to which you are applying.

To apply for your LCMS ecclesiastical endorsement, contact our office for an application. The form asks for the names and addresses of five references: your district president, your circuit counselor, and three other clergy acquainted with your pastoral skills (two must be LCMS). If you are applying for the Civil Air Patrol, you only need to give the names and addresses of your district president and your circuit counselor. You are also asked to write a brief narrative explaining why you are interest in this ministry. After we have received your application, we will send forms to each of your references asking for their confidential evaluation of your skills. If you are interested in going on active duty, we will arrange for a personal interview (including your spouse, if you are married). Your application, the confidential evaluations and, if applying for active duty, a report on the interview will be faxed to the members of our Ministry to the Armed Forces Committee and they will vote on whether or not to grant your endorsement. All of our Committee members have extensive military backgrounds and are fully acquainted with chaplain ministry.

If the Ministry to the Armed Forces Committee's vote is negative, reasons for their decline normally are not revealed since they are based on information shared confidentially. Since personal circumstances and skill levels often change, a new request may be submitted one year after the date on the original application.

(For the Department of Veterans Affairs) If the Ministry to the Armed Forces Committee's vote is positive, we will issue the endorsement to the VA Chaplain Center in Hampton, Va. You also will receive a copy. At that point, you can proceed with your application process, either at the specific VA medical center to which you are applying or at the VA Chaplain Center.

(For the Civil Air Patrol) If the Ministry to the Armed Forces Committee's vote is positive, we will issue the endorsement to the Civil Air Patrol's command chaplain's office. You will also receive a copy. You are then free to process your application through the local CAP unit.

(For Active Duty, Reserve or Guard) If the Ministry to the Armed Forces Committee's vote is positive, we will issue the endorsement to the appropriate military office. You also will receive a copy. The next step is for you to apply to the particular branch in which you hope to serve. (If you have not made contact already with a chaplain recruiter, our office will be happy to guide you in that process.) The military will arrange for a physical exam, a security background check and, possibly, an interview. You will also be required to provide them with transcripts verifying your education.

(For Active Duty) When all the above is completed, your application will be reviewed by a military accession board. They will notify you of their decision. If you are selected, they will negotiate a mutually acceptable time for you to enter active duty. At that point, we will also issue you a formal call. Once you are sworn in, you will be expected to serve an initial minimum of three years.

(For Reserve/Guard) If you are accepted into the component for which you are applying, it is mandatory for you to work with your congregational leadership in developing a written agreement regarding your military service. Our office will be happy to supply you with a sample of such an agreement.

If you are applying for active duty, or as a Reserve or Guard chaplain, the Department of Defense requires that you meet the age requirements. Also, be aware that the military services have weight standards and, in most cases, they will not accept applicants who are considered overweight.