CONTRACT CHAPLAINS

Termination of Auxiliary Chaplain Services The following guidelines must be observed concerning the termination of an auxiliary chaplain. 1. An appointment may be terminated upon written notification of the commanding officer. 2. An appointment may be terminated upon written notification of the auxiliary chaplain. 3. Withdrawal of an ecclesiastical endorse- ment will require the removal of an auxiliary chaplain. 4. Notification of the termination of auxil- iary chaplain services must be made to the Chief of Chaplains. CONTRACT CHAPLAINS Commanding officers may obtain the serv- ices of a civilian clergyperson to serve as a con- tract chaplain to conduct religious services when military or auxiliary chaplains are not available. A “nonpersonal services contract” is written with a recognized religious organization or in- dividual in obtaining the services of contract clergy. Guidelines for Appointment Some of the specific guidelines for appoint- ment of contract chaplains are listed below. 1. Contract chaplains will operate under guidelines established by the commanding officer of the ship or station which they serve. 2. Performance of contract chaplains will be monitored by the local command chaplain. 3. The duties of contract chaplains will be of a purely religious nature such as conducting services and providing private ministrations which are necessary for the welfare of personnel. 4. The wearing of uniforms by contract chaplains, including Reserve chaplains acting in the capacity of contract chaplains, is not authorized. 5. Reserve chaplains serving under the authority outlined in SECNAVINST 1730.3 for contract chaplains WILL NOT be entitled to earned drill points or other Reserve compensa- tion for these services. Qualification for Appointment A contract chaplain must be a fully ordained clergyperson; and, must have an ecclesiastical endorsement from an agency that is recognized by the Armed Forces Chaplains Board as an endorsing agency. Obtaining this endorsement is the responsibility of the clergyperson who is seeking an appointment. Endorsements will be sent directly from the endorsing agency to the Chief of Chaplains. Appointment Process The appointment process involves a number of steps. A list of the most important steps is shown below. 1. Award of contracts for chaplains will be made by the contracting officer with the approval of the Chief of Chaplains. 2. Nominations for appointment will be made by the commanding officer on the recom- mendation of the command chaplain. The nomination will include the name and faith (denomination) of the applicant and the place and length of appointment. This nomination will be forwarded to the Chief of Chaplains with a letter indicating that the applicant has re- quested an ecclesiastical endorsement. 3. Appointment of contract chaplains will be made for a term not to exceed 3 years. 4. Contract chaplains are hired through the use of a “nonpersonal services contract” and are NOT charged against authorized civilian ceilings. Privileges of Appointees Contract chaplains are NOT authorized travel pay, subsistence pay, commissary and exchange privileges, or other similar privileges which are granted to members of the military. However, they may be given temporary duty travel orders when it is deemed appropriate by the commanding officer. 3-17