Called to Serve those who Serve

As a chaplain in the Army

There are few who comprehend the ideals of sacrifice and selfless service that form the bedrock of priestly ministry better than those in the United States military, for whom service and sacrifice are a way of life. Nearly ten percent of men ordained priests in the United States every year have prior military service or grew up in military households. The life of a military priest-chaplain, ministering to the spiritual and sacramental needs of those men and women in the United States armed forces, is a natural vocation for a man with prior military experience, and one that the Church and the military desperately need.

Become a Chaplain

The Process

Step 1

Talk To Your Bishop

Prayerfully seek the advice of your local pastor or Catholic military chaplain. If you are a seminarian, discuss your interest and discernment regarding the military chaplaincy with your formation director and bishop or religious superior. Follow their Directions.

Step 2

Contact the Vocations Director

With their permission contact the AMS Director of Vocations. You will then be asked to complete a survey which provides personal, academic, ecclesiastical, and military information about yourself.

On the basis of information gathered, specific guidance will be offered to you by the AMS Office of Vocations.

Step 3

Attend a Discernment Retreat

Attend one of the two annual vocation discernment retreats sponsored by the AMS. This retreat will give you the opportunity to meet with the AMS Director of Vocations and military priest-chaplains from the different branches of service to learn more about the rewards and challenges of serving both God and your country.

Step 4

Apply

If a mutual decision has been made between you and your bishop or religious superior giving you permission to be a Co-Sponsored seminarian chaplain candidate, you will then be invited to apply for the Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program.

Am I Eligible?

Any single Catholic young man who is a US citizen with college experience who shows signs of having a vocation to priestly ministry, can meet the academic requirements for seminary training, and qualifies for military service is eligible to apply. A candidate must be able to enter active duty before age 42. Adjustments on the entry age may be made for those with prior military service as long as the total number of years of military service can equal twenty years or more. If you are currently a seminarian, you must first discuss your interest in the military chaplaincy with your formation director and bishop or religious superior; follow his directions

Meet the Vocations Director

The Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) serves at the pleasure of the Archbishop. The Vocations Director is available to answer your questions, give advice and guide you through the discernment process, listening to your sense of calling and providing feedback as well as practical and spiritual support.

Vocations News

Prospective Catholic Priest Ordained a Transitional Deacon in Nation’s Capital

WASHINGTON, DC – The Reverend Mr. Jacob P. George was ordained a transitional deacon on Friday, Dec. 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, in the main chapel of the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center in Washington, DC, home base for the Archdiocese for the Military...

Prospective Catholic Priests and Military Chaplains Gather for “Welcome Aboard” Event in Nation’s Capital

WASHINGTON, DC — This past weekend the Vocations Office of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), hosted a “Welcome Aboard” gathering for incoming co-sponsored seminarians planning to serve as active-duty U.S. Military chaplains after ordination. The chaplain candidates’ seminary tuition and related expenses will be funded...

Two Prospective Catholic U.S. Military Chaplains Ordained Transitional Deacons in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, DC — The Reverend Mr. Joseph Heisey and the Rev. Mr. Christopher Feist were ordained transitional deacons on Saturday, June 10, in a solemn Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in the nation’s capital. Both are on track to become Catholic priests next year and eventually...

Testimonials

Our Seminarians

Mark Becker

Charlotte
Navy

Steven Billmaier

Toledo
Navy

Paul Collins

Los Angeles
Navy

Br. Philip Collins

Servants of Christ Jesus
Army

Dominic Counihan

Phoenix
Army

James Craig

Corpus Christi
Army

Rev. Mr. Patrick Diloreto

Colorado Springs
Army

Erin Donlon

Portland ME
Navy

Rev. Mr. Christopher Feist

Washington DC
Navy

Holden Giefer

Salina
Air Force

Rev. Mr. Zachary Glick

Gary
Air Force

Raymond Goins

Arlington
Army

Jacob Gwynn

Venice
Navy

Rev. Mr. Joseph Heisey

Washington DC
Army

Jonathan Hoole

Syracuse
Navy

Alexander Houston

Knoxville
Army

Conrad Jaconette

Owensboro
Air Force

Joshua Johnson

Holy Protection of Mary BCE of Phoenix
Air Force

Benjamin Kalis

Cincinnati
Navy

Paul Keenan

Lansing
Navy

Michael Kuehne

Saginaw
Air Force

Rev. Mr. Matthew Kurt

Detroit
Army

Zachary MacKeller

Boise
Air Force

Samuel McPeak

Richmond
Army

Rev. Mr. Joshua Miller

Winona Rochester
Army

Rev. Mr. Colin Patrick

Atlanta
Army

Jakob Pohlman

Worcester
Navy

Michael Sampson

Arlington
Navy

Brendon Schneibel

Fargo
Navy

Mark Wagner

Madison
Air Force

William Waters

Galveston-Houston
Army

Andrew Whipple

Grand Rapids
Navy

Christopher Wild

Buffalo
Navy

Joseph Ytem

Charleston
Air Force

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