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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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