Chaplains and MLOs

[Gunner C]

 

Glad they changed the name - makes all the difference. 

[DogCollar]

There is a brand new CAPF-35 for Chaplains.  MLOs now have their own CAPF-35A.

CAPF-35 states:

EDUCATION: Have an accredited undergraduate degree. Also, an accredited seminary degree, or equivalent, is preferred, however, a waiver may be granted to an applicant with at least 5 years of full time clergy experience.

Is the requirement for an accredited undergraduate degree new? I've known lots of chaplains in the CAP and very few attended an accredited college (and almost none a real seminary).

Almost all I know entered with the above waiver, having been ordained by a denomination with little or no educational requirements.

The language of "accredited" education is too keep CAP's Chaplain policies in line with the USAF.  However, we have the "waiver" for experience that I don't believe that the Real Military has.  Frankly, I tend to think that the requirements to become a CAP Chaplain are too lax.  In addition to requiring a Master of Divinity Degree (or like degree), I would insist on at least 1 unit of Clinical Pastoral Education.  For clergy who have not served active duty, this is where working within a pluralistic institution is learned.

[Chappie]

There is a brand new CAPF-35 for Chaplains.  MLOs now have their own CAPF-35A.

CAPF-35 states:

EDUCATION: Have an accredited undergraduate degree. Also, an accredited seminary degree, or equivalent, is preferred, however, a waiver may be granted to an applicant with at least 5 years of full time clergy experience.

Is the requirement for an accredited undergraduate degree new? I've known lots of chaplains in the CAP and very few attended an accredited college (and almost none a real seminary).

Almost all I know entered with the above waiver, having been ordained by a denomination with little or no educational requirements.

The language of "accredited" education is too keep CAP's Chaplain policies in line with the USAF.  However, we have the "waiver" for experience that I don't believe that the Real Military has.  Frankly, I tend to think that the requirements to become a CAP Chaplain are too lax.  In addition to requiring a Master of Divinity Degree (or like degree), I would insist on at least 1 unit of Clinical Pastoral Education.  For clergy who have not served active duty, this is where working within a pluralistic institution is learned.

The "waiver for experience" is not utilized in the real military.  The "waiver for experience" is not automatically granted either.   Having been the beneficiary of the waiver -- the denomination that I was with at the time did not require Masters or above for ordination...most of our schools offered a Biblical/Pastoral/Pre-seminary major in their accredited Bachelors programs -- I had 23 years of pastoral experience (13 on staff/10 as a senior pastor) and 15 years experience of serving as a volunteer chaplain with law enforcement.   In addition, I attended a variety of in-service training events to hone my skills.  So in my situation, I would hope that the waiver was a good thing.  I fully understand that not having the 72 hour degree prohibits me from serving as a "force multiplier" with the USAF or other branches....however, I thoroughly enjoy being a CAP chaplain and have a full plate with CAP activities

[DogCollar]

There is a brand new CAPF-35 for Chaplains.  MLOs now have their own CAPF-35A.

CAPF-35 states:

EDUCATION: Have an accredited undergraduate degree. Also, an accredited seminary degree, or equivalent, is preferred, however, a waiver may be granted to an applicant with at least 5 years of full time clergy experience.

Is the requirement for an accredited undergraduate degree new? I've known lots of chaplains in the CAP and very few attended an accredited college (and almost none a real seminary).

Almost all I know entered with the above waiver, having been ordained by a denomination with little or no educational requirements.

The language of "accredited" education is too keep CAP's Chaplain policies in line with the USAF.  However, we have the "waiver" for experience that I don't believe that the Real Military has.  Frankly, I tend to think that the requirements to become a CAP Chaplain are too lax.  In addition to requiring a Master of Divinity Degree (or like degree), I would insist on at least 1 unit of Clinical Pastoral Education.  For clergy who have not served active duty, this is where working within a pluralistic institution is learned.

The "waiver for experience" is not utilized in the real military.  The "waiver for experience" is not automatically granted either.   Having been the beneficiary of the waiver -- the denomination that I was with at the time did not require Masters or above for ordination...most of our schools offered a Biblical/Pastoral/Pre-seminary major in their accredited Bachelors programs -- I had 23 years of pastoral experience (13 on staff/10 as a senior pastor) and 15 years experience of serving as a volunteer chaplain with law enforcement.   In addition, I attended a variety of in-service training events to hone my skills.  So in my situation, I would hope that the waiver was a good thing.  I fully understand that not having the 72 hour degree prohibits me from serving as a "force multiplier" with the USAF or other branches....however, I thoroughly enjoy being a CAP chaplain and have a full plate with CAP activities

I guess I need to be beaten with a wet noodle so that I stop making "general" statements.  I apologize for any offense I may have caused here.  I know that there are some excellent CAP Chaplains who have come in under the experience waiver!  You are the prime example!!!  However, in our neck of the woods some of these chaplains have a problem behaving in a pluralistic and inclusive manner.  Thus, I think Clinical Pastoral Education would serve all CAP Chaplains well.  Again, I need to stop making generalized statements.  That is one of my MANY faults.  I am both  :angel: and  !!!

[Chappie]

There is a brand new CAPF-35 for Chaplains.  MLOs now have their own CAPF-35A.

CAPF-35 states:

EDUCATION: Have an accredited undergraduate degree. Also, an accredited seminary degree, or equivalent, is preferred, however, a waiver may be granted to an applicant with at least 5 years of full time clergy experience.

Is the requirement for an accredited undergraduate degree new? I've known lots of chaplains in the CAP and very few attended an accredited college (and almost none a real seminary).

Almost all I know entered with the above waiver, having been ordained by a denomination with little or no educational requirements.

The language of "accredited" education is too keep CAP's Chaplain policies in line with the USAF.  However, we have the "waiver" for experience that I don't believe that the Real Military has.  Frankly, I tend to think that the requirements to become a CAP Chaplain are too lax.  In addition to requiring a Master of Divinity Degree (or like degree), I would insist on at least 1 unit of Clinical Pastoral Education.  For clergy who have not served active duty, this is where working within a pluralistic institution is learned.

The "waiver for experience" is not utilized in the real military.  The "waiver for experience" is not automatically granted either.   Having been the beneficiary of the waiver -- the denomination that I was with at the time did not require Masters or above for ordination...most of our schools offered a Biblical/Pastoral/Pre-seminary major in their accredited Bachelors programs -- I had 23 years of pastoral experience (13 on staff/10 as a senior pastor) and 15 years experience of serving as a volunteer chaplain with law enforcement.   In addition, I attended a variety of in-service training events to hone my skills.  So in my situation, I would hope that the waiver was a good thing.  I fully understand that not having the 72 hour degree prohibits me from serving as a "force multiplier" with the USAF or other branches....however, I thoroughly enjoy being a CAP chaplain and have a full plate with CAP activities

I guess I need to be beaten with a wet noodle so that I stop making "general" statements.  I apologize for any offense I may have caused here.  I know that there are some excellent CAP Chaplains who have come in under the experience waiver!  You are the prime example!!!  However, in our neck of the woods some of these chaplains have a problem behaving in a pluralistic and inclusive manner.  Thus, I think Clinical Pastoral Education would serve all CAP Chaplains well.  Again, I need to stop making generalized statements.  That is one of my MANY faults.  I am both  :angel: and  !!!

No offense taken...just speaking from my perspective.  But wholeheartedly concer about the need of CAP chaplains understanding and behaving in a pluralistic and inclusive manner.   My corollary on chaplaincy has been: "All chaplains need to be pastors, but not all pastors can be chaplains."  There is a different mindset and skill set that one has to have --- be it learned by experience or through training -- to have an effective ministry in chaplaincy.  Those in pulpit ministry certainly know what is expected of them -- and they behave accordingly -- by those in their local congregation.   But at 0200 no one gives a rip about whether one prefers the KNV over the NIV or about their eschatological views....they just need and want assurance that God is with them during their houor of crisis.   That is why I embrace and practice the motto: "ministry of presence".

[Gunner C]

However, in our neck of the woods some of these chaplains have a problem behaving in a pluralistic and inclusive manner. 

Wow, that's an understatement!    I appreciate you bringing it up, though.  It's important for those of us who have been targets of these types of chaplains to have the problem recognized. You're right, they don't behave:  they attack and embarrass. Fortunately, not all are like that.

[DogCollar]

However, in our neck of the woods some of these chaplains have a problem behaving in a pluralistic and inclusive manner. 

Wow, that's an understatement!    I appreciate you bringing it up, though.  It's important for those of us who have been targets of these types of chaplains to have the problem recognized. You're right, they don't behave:  they attack and embarrass. Fortunately, not all are like that.

I kinda like Chappie's quote above.  "All chaplains need to be pastors, but not all pastors need to be chaplains."  That needs to be a bumpersticker or something!!