Branching Question ROTC Army

Freedom125

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Jun 4, 2013
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I am currently in the Army ROTC on my campus. I am pursuing a Geography major but after my four years I am planning on attending graduate school and pursue a degree in theological studies for another 3-4 years. It is my hopes to become a Army Chaplain.

My question is: If I contract (which I am hoping to in the spring 2014) will I be guaranteed to be placed into the Chaplain branch? If I tell my cadre my plans will they set me on a different program to pursue this branch? Or will I have to contend for it and possibly get placed into a branch like infantry instead?
Thanks!
 
You need to go talk to your cadre ASAP. You will not ever be guaranteed anything other than a commission while you are an undergraduate. You have a very small chance of getting an educational delay to go to 4 years of Grad school to become a chaplain.

http://goldenknightbattalion.wordpress.com/2010/08/06/the-contract/

take a look at the contract here, and see what you will be signing up for.
 
I am currently in the Army ROTC on my campus. I am pursuing a Geography major but after my four years I am planning on attending graduate school and pursue a degree in theological studies for another 3-4 years. It is my hopes to become a Army Chaplain.

My question is: If I contract (which I am hoping to in the spring 2014) will I be guaranteed to be placed into the Chaplain branch? If I tell my cadre my plans will they set me on a different program to pursue this branch? Or will I have to contend for it and possibly get placed into a branch like infantry instead?
Thanks!

Here's the thing...are you joining the Army to become an officer or to become a Chaplain?

On the behavioral health side of the house I work semi regularly with Chaplains. Most chaplains ARE chaplains prior to joining the military. Its possible to earn an ed delay for chaplains, but I'd hate for you to bet the farm on this and become an unhappy chemical officer. You're not going to get an ed delay for 3-4 years. Chaplains get 2 years for a MDiv and can apply to go back to school for their doctorate at a later date. My perspective on people wanting to become special branches has always been STAY AWAY FROM ROTC (with the exception of nurses and dieticians)!

Too many planets have to align for you to become a chaplain starting as a ROTC cadet...

[/rant]

Now here's your answer in bullet points and quotes:

-Join ROTC
-Contract
-Get accepted to seminary
-Earn an ed delay
-Be accepted by the chaplain's board which is separate from the ed delay board
-Earn your MDiv

...in THAT order...no deviation...

http://www.goarmy.com/chaplain/candidate-program.html

ROTC Education Delay Program For Chaplaincy Studies

The ROTC Education Delay Program offers ROTC Cadets the opportunity to apply for a delay in the fulfillment of their Active Duty Service Obligation (ADSO) in order to become an Army Chaplain.

Cadets normally apply for an education delay at the same time and on the same form (FORM 67-9) that they use to submit their choice of a branch selection, usually between the months of May and September before their senior year of college. The Army approves education delays on a case-by-case basis through a board process.

Once a cadet is granted an Education Delay by USA Cadet Command (USACC), the cadet then contacts an Army Chaplain Recruiting Team (CRT) in order to submit an application packet for a Chaplain Candidate Accessions Board. Should the cadet not be accessed by this board, or should the cadet neglect to submit an application for accessing, the cadet would then be branched by USACC in accordance to their original obligation.

Once a cadet is accessed as a Chaplain Candidate, they are entitled to all the benefits of and responsibilities of the CCP except Tuition Assistance. Cadets can contact their PMS, the USACC chaplain, or a CRT.
 
look at it from the Army's recruiting perspective:

It is not a problem for the Army to find someone already out of Seminary and struggling to find the right place in which to minister. The Army did not have to pay for that person's undergraduate degree, or graduate degree, and the new Chaplain requires very little training to get up and running in the Army because he already spent 6-7 years learning how to minister to people.

So the question is, why would the ARmy want to invest four years training you to be lead in one of the 16 Basic Branches, then invest further for your graduate studies, when they can get all that for free?
 
Go speak to Cadre fast as Clarkson said. They know you and probably can answer that one best.

Good Luck
 
Okay I basically expected what you all said. I am going to talk to my cadre tomorrow.

Would it be most logical to not contract with the ROTC in college but senior year apply to seminary and once in seminary apply to join the Army as a chaplain and then train while in seminary?
 
Okay I basically expected what you all said. I am going to talk to my cadre tomorrow.

Would it be most logical to not contract with the ROTC in college but senior year apply to seminary and once in seminary apply to join the Army as a chaplain and then train while in seminary?

Again, it goes back to my original question. Is your goal to become an officer or a member of the clergy? If its an officer, great. If its an Army chaplain, great. I just want you to be aware of the pros, cons, and odds of success for both paths. Making an "informed" decision should be the aim of EVERY potential officer, regardless of career path.

Good luck man!
 
Unless there's something different about accessions for Chaplains, you could always do ROTC, commission into a Reserve component, and then complete seminary and apply to the Chaplaincy. I've know officers that did this to get through law school and enter the JAG Corps. A Cadet in my battalion is going this route now because he isn't competitive for an ed delay. It might be worth your time to see if this path is feasible for becoming an AD Chaplain. You'll start racking up TIS and have some additional education benefits available to pay for your Masters. Of course, one of the drawbacks is that it's one more thing to distract you while you're in seminary.
 
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