Basically the Army Chaplain is a pastor in boots. The average Battalion (starting point in ministry) is 275 to 450 Young Adults who are mostly age 18 to 26, with 60% being married, and so congregations have several little children as well. The majority of the people know Jesus Christ as Lord and so there is a great opportunity to Disciple, as well as a great opportunity for outreach.
The starting pay and allowances are around $56,900, and there are great savings in shopping at the PX and Commissary, and wonderful Recreational, Educational, Travel, Medical and other benefits; in addition, the Government pays half of the Social Security, and offers a Thrift Saving Plan that allows the Chaplain to invest Basic Pay so the principal and interest are shielded from taxes until withdrawn at a later date.
ARMY RESERVES
It is now the Army policy to give a $ 10,000 Bonus to Chaplains when they complete the 12 week Chaplain Officer Basic Leader Course at Fort Jackson South Carolina and agree to give Pastoral Care an Army Reserve Troop Unit for six years.
The program looks like this:
12 weeks of 1st Lieutenant Basic Pay @ $ 2,943.90 month = $ 8,831.70*
Housing for three months @ $ 1,236.00 month = $3,708.00
BASIC ALLOWANCE SUBSISTENCE @$210.50 month = $604.50
BASIC COURSE PAY & ALLOWANCES $13,144.20
BONUS UPON COMPLETION $10,000.00=
TOTAL $23,144.20
Another Army Reserve option for those with valid Student Loans from a Bona Fide Student loan Organization, is a payment of up to $20,000 to retire Student Loans. After the Basic Course, the Chaplain serves a Troop Unit in his/her home area and on the Anniversary of each valid year of service, the amount of $6,666.66 is sent as payment to retire the student loan obligation. NOTE: THE AMOUNT CAN ONLY BE SENT TO A BANK OR CERTIFIED STUDENT LOAN GRANTING ORGANIZATION. If the loan from parents or a relative or friend, no payment will be issued.
[*note - above illustration assumes no previous Military Service. If you have military service, the above basic pay will be higher to reflect your past service. Call or e-mail me for details.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR RESERVE OR ACTIVE DUTY CHAPLAINS
- US Citizen or Green Card Holder
- Under age 47 unless prior service in Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard. Call me if you have questions.
- Able to pass a physical examination
- Meet the Army height and weight standards
- A Masters Degree in Theology or Religion of at least 72 hours from an accredited school.
- Innovative Ministry that is well supported; the Chaplain is a part of a Military Unit and has free access to minister in Chapel, Work Areas, Recreation Areas, Billets and Quarters.
- Competitive Salary - Chaplains are paid at their Army Rank. See end of letter for examples of pay & allowances.
- Reasonable Housing and Subsistence Allowances
- Possibility of a Year of Funded Clinical Pastoral Education after the third year of Active service and a year of Funded Graduate School between 10th to 12th year of service.
- Continuing Education in Suicide Prevention, Marriage Preparation and Enrichment, Family Ministry Help
- Low cost Insurance of $ 400,000
- Medical and Dental Plans
- Great Retirement Benefits
- 30 Days Annual Vacation
- Free Travel for soldier and family on Government Aircraft
- Commissioned as a First Lieutenant; Active Duty Chaplains are considered for Captain after 6 months and after two years in the Army Reserves.
- Doctor of Ministry Possibility through 22 Accredited Seminaries
- A student at an Accredited Theological School
- Must be Commissioned before 43rd Birthday
- See 2-4 above under CHAPLAIN QUALIFICATIONS
- No Army obligations during the Academic Year. The Army wants the student to do their best so no drills or Army obligations.
- The Chaplain Candidate is Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant
- The student may receive $ 4,500 Tuition Assistance each year.
- In the summer the Chaplain Candidate attends the Chaplain Officer Basic Course at Fort Jackson, SC, and receives the pay and allowances of a 2nd Lieutenant for the 12 week Officer Basic Course. [The Basic course is normally completed in two years by doing 6 weeks per year]
The Reserve Chaplain Ministry adds income now on a steady basis, and builds to a more secure retirement with affordable health care under Tri Care for Life and free transportation on Military Air Craft within the USA and free flights to Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa.
I was almost 39 when I joined the Army. Before the Army I served in Nigeria, West Africa (2 yrs), India (10 years) and a Parish Pastor (4 yrs); I found the Chaplain Ministry the greatest "youth group" in the world.
Please share this great opportunity with pastors you know and seminary students. I look forward to your important "Partnership in the Gospel," and I stand by to answer any questions and assist in any way I can. God's richest blessings in ministry, and thank you for your help.
Paul F. Howe
CHAPLAIN (COLONEL) USA (Retired)
30701 BERRY CREEK DRIVE
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS 78628
HOME PHONE: (512) 864-2281
CELL PHONE: (512) 517-6078
paulfhowe@aol.com
ACTIVE DUTY PAY AND ALLOWANCES
[REFLECTS 2008 PAY GUIDELINES]
EACH MONTH
2nd LIEUTENANT
BASIC PAY $2,555.70
HOUSING * $963.00
SUBSISTENCE $201.50
1st LIEUTENANT
BASIC PAY $2,943.90
HOUSING* $1,236.00
SUBSISTENCE $201.50
CAPTAIN
BASIC PAY $3407.40
HOUSING* $1500.00
SUBSISTENCE $201.50
* Listed above is the BASIC HOUSING ALLOWANCE. In addition to Housing, the Army pays a "Cost Of Living Allowance" that is adjusted for the living. Higher in Washington, DC than Fort Bliss, Texas. The amount in housing above was an average, and could be higher in a high cost area and lower in a low cost area.
ARMY RESERVE PAY PER DRILL 2008 PAY SCALE
2nd LIEUTENANT $340.76
1st LIEUTENANT $392.52
CAPTAIN $515.04
Paul F. Howe, Chaplain (Colonel, retired)
30701 Berry Creek Drive
Georgetown, TX 78628
Phone: (512)517-6078
Fax:
E-mail: paulfhowe@aol.com