Chaplain question

[DJ Light Chop]

I'm curious about something.  Is a chaplain able to hold a position as squadron commander (assuming all the other requirements are met as well)?  Or does being in the chaplain track preclude you from that role?

[Майор Хаткевич]

http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/R265_001_538BD6B239386.pdf

Page 4.
5.
b. Chaplains are not eligible to serve as a CAP commander, deputy commander, testing
officer, or be designated as an investigating officer as prescribed by CAPR 123-2.


c. Chaplains who wish to engage in duties incompatible with their role as listed above must withdraw from the Chaplain Corps to do so. For those who have withdrawn, after 48 months, a chaplain must re-apply on a new Form 35 and obtain a current ecclesiastical endorsement.

[DJ Light Chop]

Thanks for the quick response.

[Chappie]

http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/R265_001_538BD6B239386.pdf

Page 4.
5.
b. Chaplains are not eligible to serve as a CAP commander, deputy commander, testing
officer, or be designated as an investigating officer as prescribed by CAPR 123-2.


c. Chaplains who wish to engage in duties incompatible with their role as listed above must withdraw from the Chaplain Corps to do so. For those who have withdrawn, after 48 months, a chaplain must re-apply on a new Form 35 and obtain a current ecclesiastical endorsement.

^^^ What he said

On a side note....our current Chief of the Chaplain Corps served as the GAWG CC a few years ago.   He went through the process set forth in the regs...withdrew from the Chaplain Corps for the duration of his term...then a couple of years ago reapplied.   The Chaplain Corps has benefitted greatly from his experience on the command side and having served on the National Board.

[MHC5096]

That may apply to the regular Air Force as well. We had a Chaplain (Major) in my former Air National Guard unit who resigned from the Chaplain Corps so he could pick up Lieutenant Colonel as the Vice Wing Commander.

[Storm Chaser]

The same applies to the regular Air Force as well. We had a Chaplain (Major) in my former Air National Guard unit who resigned from the Chaplain Corps so he could pick up Lieutenant Colonel as the Vice Wing Commander.

While that may happen in the Air National Guard, I don't think it applies to the regular Air Force, at least not the way you imply. For one, chaplains are not line officers (and I don't mean the CAP definition). They also don't go through a commissioning source (USAFA, AFROTC, OTS, etc.), but receive a direct commission. In addition, they're consider non-combatants. Unless a line officer became a chaplain later in their career, I don't think they usually (I admit anything it's possible with a waiver) can go from chaplain to line officers, especially to get a promotion to Lt Col.

[MHC5096]

At the time I thought it was odd as well, but sure enough, he went from being a Chaplain to Vice Wing Commander and ended up retiring as a full bird. It may not be the norm, but apparently it can happen. So I'll rephrase my prior statement to "may" apply. 

[Storm Chaser]

The Guard is a different beast. I saw a non-rated officer appointed once to the one-star position of Assistant Adjutant for Air. Now, the Assistant Adjutant for Air is normally the commander of the Air National Guard for the state, but since he was non-rated, they appointed a second officer (a Colonel) to the commander position.

[lordmonar]

Just a quibble Storm...Chaplains do go through a commission source....they just go through a different one then line officers.   Commissioned Officers Training vs Officer Training School.

https://www.airforce.com/education

[Storm Chaser]

Are you sure they don't get their commission before attending the training? That's what a direct commission or appointment is. Refer to AFI 36-2005.

[lordmonar]

Are you sure they don't get their commission before attending the training? That's what a direct commission or appointment is. Refer to AFI 36-2005.

You might be right.....but "direct commissioning" also implies that they don't go through any training.    It's kind of a happy/glad or a technical word argument that only applies to lawyers and philosophers.

[Storm Chaser]

The difference is that cadets and officer trainees (or candidates in other services) don't receive their commissions until they complete training. While certain professionals receive a direct commission and then go through a sort of familiarization training like the one you mentioned.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Salutin' School

[raivo]

The difference is that cadets and officer trainees (or candidates in other services) don't receive their commissions until they complete training. While certain professionals receive a direct commission and then go through a sort of familiarization training like the one you mentioned.

Accurate. I was an E-5 on paper for the twelve weeks I was at OTS - the doctors/lawyers/chaplains across the way were already commissioned during their, ah, rigorous five-week course.