SCOBA
US Armed Forces and Related Agencies Served by Military and VA Chaplains |
 Department of Defense |
 United States Army |
 United States Navy |
 United States Marine Corps |
 United States Air Force |
 United States Coast Guard |
 USAF Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol |
 Department of Veterans Affairs |
What is a Military or VA Chaplain? |
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In the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, a chaplain is a priest who provides
the Holy Mysteries to Orthodox Christians and who additionally provides pastoral
ministry to people in all walks of life. Some priests serve full-time as chaplains
in the armed forces, whereas other parish priests have assumed additional
responsibilities as chaplains at Veterans Administration hospitals, with local
police forces, at prisons, and in hospitals. One of the most significant features
of chaplaincy activity is ministry to individuals other than Orthodox Christians,
and the witness of our Orthodox faith among all Americans. go to the Archdiocese Chaplain page ... In general, a “chaplain” is by formal definition typically a priest, pastor, ordained deacon, or other member of the clergy serving a group of people who are not organized as a mission or church, or who are unable to attend church for various reasons such as health, confinement, or military or civil duties. In recent years non-ordained individuals have received professional training in chaplaincy and may be employed as chaplains in schools, hospitals, universities, prisons, and elsewhere to work alongside, or instead, of ordained chaplains. Orthodox lay persons employed as professional hospital chaplains, or in similar capacities, are not under the ecclesiastical supervision of the Archdiocese and are therefore not considered herein. |
Armed Forces Chaplains |
Armed Forces chaplains are highly-qualified priests who:
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Veterans Administration Chaplains |
| Veterans Administration chaplains are priests serving within VA facilities who are aware of the spiritual and moral dimensions which often arise from the anxieties, problems and fears which accompany illness and disabilities. These chaplains are also sensitive to the variety of religious and cultural backgrounds of the VA patients to whom ministry is provided. |
Becoming a Military or VA Chaplain |
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Priests desiring to serve as chaplains in the Army, Navy, or Air Force must first
obtain the blessing of their hierarch to do so. Following this, they must contact
the respective service chaplain recruiter, and be qualified for a comission as an
officer. Opportunities also exist for seminarians to become “chaplain candidates.” more information on applying to become a military or VA chaplain... |
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Orthodox Liturgy |
Military Issue |
Fr. Alexander Webster, Chaplain (Col), US Army (right) |