Military chaplains offer spiritual care, counseling as career

Chaplain (Col.) Ted Wilson, 88th Air Base Wing chaplain, provides spiritual counsel to Tech. Sgt. Daniel Thornton, 88th Air Base Wing bioenvironmental engineer, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base July 12, 2017. The 88 ABW Chaplain Services are one agencies participating in the Integrated Delivery System that works to provide support to members of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michelle Gigante)

Chaplain (Col.) Ted Wilson, 88th Air Base Wing chaplain, provides spiritual counsel to Tech. Sgt. Daniel Thornton, 88th Air Base Wing bioenvironmental engineer, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base July 12, 2017. The 88 ABW Chaplain Services are one agencies participating in the Integrated Delivery System that works to provide support to members of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michelle Gigante)

When pondering a career in the Air Force, some think of being a fighter pilot or an aircrew member. However, there is a career that serves every career field, regardless of the time of day or night, and it’s the Air Force chaplain.

Unlike civilian clergy, military chaplains, are a unique group. Besides being ordained, they are also commissioned officers in the U.S. Chaplain Corps.

“Nothing tests religious beliefs more than many situations our Airmen face throughout the course of their service,” according to the Air Force Chaplain Corps’ website. “They provide pastoral care ministry and counseling to those of faith and those of no faith.”

According to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, there are approximately 5,000 active-duty chaplains serving in all military branches, with the Air Force having a total of 494 active-duty chaplains.

The requirements to become an Air Force chaplain include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, and a Master of Divinity, or equivalent theological degree with at least 72 hours from an accredited institution, according to the Air Force Chaplain Officer website.

Chaplains provide spiritual care to Airmen around the world, including in deployed environments.

For more information about careers in the Air Force Chaplain Corp, visit https://www.airforce.com/careers/specialty-careers/chaplain.

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