IPHC Chaplaincy

The Military Chaplaincy

Application Procedures

Before an ordained minister or pastor can be appointed in the military chaplaincy, the applicant is required by the Department of Defense to obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from the clergyman’s church body.

The first step is to contact the Director of Chaplains Ministries to obtain an application form.

When the form is completed and references are obtained including the conference superintendent and his/her pastor, the director or his designee will interview the applicant and his/her spouse.

Then, the director will present the applicant to the Chaplains Ministries Board for approval/disapproval for endorsement.

If the applicant is approved, the director will prepare a DD Form 2088, Statement of Ecclesiastical Endorsement, to the respective Branch of Service.

The Chaplains Ministries Board makes final approval for endorsement.

A pastor applying for military active duty or full time VA Chaplaincy should keep the matter confidential so that it will not impinge negatively on his/her present ministry, in that there is no assurance or guarantee an appointment will be forthcoming.

Last update on 8/14/07
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The Military Chaplaincy

Application Procedures

Before an ordained minister or pastor can be appointed in the military chaplaincy, the applicant is required by the Department of Defense to obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement from the clergyman’s church body.

The first step is to contact the Director of Chaplains Ministries to obtain an application form.
When the form is completed and references are obtained including the conference superintendent and his/her pastor, the director or his designee will interview the applicant and his/her spouse.
Then, the director will present the applicant to the Chaplains Ministries Board for approval/disapproval for endorsement.
If the applicant is approved, the director will prepare a DD Form 2088, Statement of Ecclesiastical Endorsement, to the respective Branch of Service.
The Chaplains Ministries Board makes final approval for endorsement.

A pastor applying for military active duty or full time VA Chaplaincy should keep the matter confidential so that it will not impinge negatively on his/her present ministry, in that there is no assurance or guarantee an appointment will be forthcoming.