Federal Volunteer Civilian Chaplaincy 

Episcopal priests interested in federal chaplaincy in volunteer military-auxiliary settings can explore opportunities with the Civil Air Patrol Chaplains Corps and the Coast Guard Auxiliary Chaplain Support Program. In these roles, Episcopal chaplains serve civilian volunteers during training exercises, disaster responses, and other events.

Find lists of requirements below for those wishing to serve as volunteer federal chaplains.

Requirements for Civil Air Patrol chaplain volunteers 

To be eligible for service as a Civil Air Patrol chaplain through The Episcopal Church, you must already: 

  • Be an ordained priest in The Episcopal Church.
  • Have completed at least two years of work in parish ministry (curacy, rector, etc.).

Please complete or submit the following. The Armed Forces and Federal Ministries (AFFM) office will work with you to schedule the required conversations and interviews:

  • Contact the AFFM office and inform them that you are interested in Civil Air Patrol chaplaincy. 
  • Initial conversation with the canon for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries. 
  • Initial conversation with the bishop for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries. 
  • Contact your local Civil Air Patrol unit/wing and inform them you are interested in serving as a chaplain. The AFFM office can assist you with this. 
  • Complete your application packet for the Chaplain Discernment Board. 
    • Completed application.
    • Recent photo. 
    • Description of your spiritual journey (4-7 pages).
    • Inform your diocesan bishop that you are interested in chaplaincy and ask them to write a letter of concurrence stating that you are a priest in good standing and that they recommend you for endorsement.
    • Three letters of recommendation from: 
      • Clergy. 
      • Lay leader in the church. 
      • Unit commander of Civil Air Patrol wing with which you intend to serve. 
  • Schedule an interview to appear at a Chaplain Discernment Board meeting (held quarterly).

After the Chaplain Discernment Board meets, you will either be endorsed for chaplaincy or will be offered recommendations for additional discernment. 

Requirements for Coast Guard Auxiliary chaplain volunteers

To be eligible for service as a Coast Guard Auxiliary chaplain through The Episcopal Church, you must already:

  • Be an ordained priest in The Episcopal Church. 
  • Have completed at least two years of work in parish ministry (curacy, rector, etc.).

Please complete or submit the following. The Armed Forces and Federal Ministries (AFFM) office will work with you to schedule the required conversations and interviews: 

  • Contact the AFFM office and inform them that you are interested in Coast Guard Auxiliary chaplaincy. 
  • Initial conversation with the canon for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries. 
  • Initial conversation with the bishop for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries. 
  • Contact a Coast Guard flotilla and inform them you are interested in joining and serving as a chaplain. The AFFM office can assist you with this. 
  • Complete the Coast Guard Boat Safety Course. 
  • Complete your application packet for the Chaplain Discernment Board: 
    • Completed application.
    • Recent photo. 
    • Description of your spiritual Journey (4-7 pages). 
    • Inform your diocesan bishop that you are interested in chaplaincy and ask them to write a letter of concurrence stating that you are a priest in good standing and that they recommend you for endorsement. 
    • Three letters of recommendation from: 
      • Clergy. 
      • Lay leader in the church. 
      • Unit commander of Coast Guard flotilla with which you intend to serve. 
  • Schedule an interview to appear at a Chaplain Discernment Board meeting (held quarterly). 

After the Chaplain Discernment Board meets, you will either be endorsed for chaplaincy or will be offered recommendations for additional discernment.  

Related

Resources for Chaplains