Becoming a Chaplain after AFROTC

Hello!

At the moment, I study engineering in AFROTC and I am doing pretty well. I'm an AS100 on scholarship too, if that matters.

Anyways, I'm just wondering about the possibility of becoming a Chaplain after AFROTC. I've always felt fairly strong about my faith, and I am realizing that I could really help a lot of Airman. I am just wondering...is there any way I could become a Chaplain/start divinity school immediately after AFROTC?

Thanks!

There is a way, but I am going to be brutally honest, that career field is something that is very small, maybe 1 Catholic and 1 Protestant chaplain per base.
~ Our DS got married last May on base. The Catholic priest was deployed and while on deployment the arch dioscese sent their own priests from the area. They were not military. The AF did not TDY anyone for the 4 month deployment.
~ Base chapel masses/services are determined by the size of the Parrish. At our base there was only one Protestant service, but 3 Catholic services. Off base there was only one Catholic Church... Basically if you were Catholic you went on base.
~~ on base they had 1 of each for our base size of just under 5k personnel.

Large bases like Randolph probably have more there, but in the end, it comes down to $$$. The question becomes how many military bases are there in the AF? 100? (Spitballing). If so, than if you place into the equation some will be O5/4/3/2/1 spread over 20 years. Maybe 10 will enter every year.
~ OBTW, our priest entered as a civilian priest, after taking orders. The AF did not pay for seminary school.

Akrogan,

A friend of mine is an O-6 AF Chaplain and I contacted him with your question. He said you should call him directly and he will be happy to talk to you. I will PM you his contact info.

Stealth_81

I noticed on the Catholic church bulletin board of student in the local seminary, one was a USNA grad. Not sure if he served for 4 years or a recent grad.

Once at my old job, the woman who resigned, announced she will be a nun. Everyone was silent. Being a nun or a priest is a high calling!!!

Yep...its been a thought in my mind all throughout high school, and even now in college...if I have the option I do want to act on it...

However I am a Catholic, but I am looking at starting to go to an Episcopalian Church and to start the conversion process, as I do want to get married someday, but also serve my faith, airmen, and country.

My 3/C when I was a Plebe is now a Catholic Priest. He served 5 years then went down that road. A friend of mine who was one year behind me at USNA is now a Nun. She is a teacher in a Catholic High School now. I think it is a great spot for her as she is crazy smart and one of the funniest people I know. I bet she is an amazing teacher/Nun! Another friend of mine was a P-3 pilot, got out, went to Seminary, then came back in as a Chaplain. My best friend is an F/A-18 pilot and plans to become a minister when he leaves Active Duty. Just a small example, but you will see SA and ROTC grads go on to do a variety of things even within the church. Akrogan, hope things all work out for the best for you. Whatever path it takes to get there, I am sure you will. Admirable you know what you want to do, including converting religions knowing you want to get married. Best of luck!

NavyHoops, were they married or divorced? Other faiths allowed married priests.

NavyHoops said:

My 3/C when I was a Plebe is now a Catholic Priest. He served 5 years then went down that road. A friend of mine who was one year behind me at USNA is now a Nun. She is a teacher in a Catholic High School now. I think it is a great spot for her as she is crazy smart and one of the funniest people I know. I bet she is an amazing teacher/Nun! Another friend of mine was a P-3 pilot, got out, went to Seminary, then came back in as a Chaplain. My best friend is an F/A-18 pilot and plans to become a minister when he leaves Active Duty. Just a small example, but you will see SA and ROTC grads go on to do a variety of things even within the church. Akrogan, hope things all work out for the best for you. Whatever path it takes to get there, I am sure you will. Admirable you know what you want to do, including converting religions knowing you want to get married. Best of luck!

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The first one I mention was never married and is now a catholic priest. The buddy who flew P-3s is Baptist and married.