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

Father Paul-Anthony Halladay, CH (MAJ), USA (Ret.)

Meet the Vocations Director

The Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), Father Paul-Anthony Halladay, CH (MAJ), USA (Ret.), 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

Newly Ordained Priest Sets Sites on “Vocation Within a Vocation” – Serving Those Who Serve in U.S. Army

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — Father James W. Craig, (1LT), USAR, a candidate for United States Military chaplaincy, was ordained a Catholic priest on Saturday, June 14, in his home Diocese of Corpus Christi, TX. The new priest hopes eventually to...

Future Catholic U.S. Air Force Chaplain Ordained Priest for Eparchy of Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ – Father Joshua A. Johnson, 2d Lt, USAFR, a prospective U.S. Air Force chaplain, was ordained a Catholic priest on Thursday, June 12, at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral of the Byzantine Eparchy of Phoenix, AZ. The new priest plans...

U.S. Army Musician Trades Clarinet for Roman Collar

KNOXVILLE, TN — Father Alexander “A.J.” Houston, (1LT) USAR, a former active-duty soldier and military musician who is now on track to become a U.S. Army chaplain, was ordained a Catholic priest on Saturday, June 7, in his home Diocese...

Testimonials

Our Seminarians

Mark Becker

Charlotte
Navy

Paul Collins

Los Angeles
Navy

Br. Philip Collins

Servants of Christ Jesus
Army

Dominic Counihan

Phoenix
Army

Rev. Mr. James Craig

Corpus Christi
Army

Rev. Mr. Erin Donlon

Portland ME
Navy

Patrick Duggan

Charleston, SC
Army

Dan Fitzgerald

Charleston, SC
Air Force

Holden Giefer

Salina
Air Force

Rev. Mr. Raymond Goins

Arlington
Army

Joseph Graff

Cincinnati
Army

Rev. Mr. Jacob Gwynn

Venice
Navy

Jonathan Hoole

Syracuse
Navy

Rev. Mr. Alexander Houston

Knoxville
Army

Conrad Jaconette

Owensboro
Air Force

Rev. Mr. Joshua Johnson

Holy Protection of Mary BCE of Phoenix
Air Force

Benjamin Kalis

Cincinnati
Army

Paul Keenan

Lansing
Navy

Gabriel Kube

Cincinnati
Army

Michael Kuehne

Saginaw
Air Force

Dan Maher

St. Augustine
Navy

J. Luke McConnell

Charleston
Army

Samuel McPeak

Richmond
Army

Mark Mosser

St. Paul-Minneapolis
Army

Christopher Oram

Colorado Springs
Navy

Jakob Pohlman

Worcester
Navy

Nicholas Pingel

Oklahoma City
Air Force

Francisco Rodriguez Martin

Birmingham
Navy

Rev. Mr. Michael Sampson

Arlington
Navy

Brendon Schneibel

Fargo
Navy

Michael Schulte

Covington
Air Force

Mark Wagner

Madison
Air Force

William Waters

Galveston-Houston
Army

Christopher Wild

Buffalo
Navy

Joseph Ytem

Charleston
Air Force

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