Download Role-of-the-Chaplain.pdf (26KB)
Introduction
The Chaplain Corps is directed to provide religious ministry and ensure the free exercise of religion for military members. Knowing your Marines and their spiritual condition is as important as knowing their performance level. The Chaplain is here to assist you in knowing your Marines.
Importance
Having a Chaplain Corps is of vital importance to maintaining religious freedom within the Department of the Navy. It serves not to force faith on Sailors and Marines but to guarantee that they may worship while serving their country.
In This Lesson
Some of the information in this lesson can give you, as a leader, an edge on understanding the purposes for having chaplains and what their roles are while serving as special staff officers. Also, this lesson discusses the entire religious ministry concept and how it can help you as a company grade officer.
This lesson covers the following topics:
| Topic | Page |
| What is a Chaplain? What do They do? | 3 |
| What is a Command Religious Program? | 3 |
| What is a Religious Ministry Team? | 4 |
| Summary | 4 |
| References | 4 |
| Glossary of Terms and Acronyms | 5 |
| Notes | 5 |
Hello, I was active duty in the USMC from 80-84 followed by two years reserve duty. I spoke with a recruiter in 2014 about joining a guard unit in North Dakota. It was determined that I was over the cut off to have my 20 years in under the current guidelines. I did ask about a Chaplin connection and was told that the Marine Corp would take me at any time once I had been accepted into a religious training program. I am not sure of the details and would like more information.
Thank You, Joe Jessop
There are no Marine Chaplains. The Marine Corps gets Chaplain support from Navy Chaplains.