• 1: Home
• 2: About PCCMP
• 3: Why the Chaplaincy?
• 4: Program Info
  • 4.1: Types of Chaplaincy Programs
  • 4.2: Benefits
• 5: Applications & Forms
• 6: News & Events
• 7: Links
• 8: Support for Military Members
• 9: Make a Contribution
• 10: Contact

Benefits

Pay, Allowances, and Benefits

Military pay is based on rank and years of service. In addition:

• The different chaplaincies provide incentives in time of shortage of chaplains. They can include forgiveness of educational loans and signing bonuses. Most have recently been in the Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard.
• Non-taxable subsistence and quarters allowances are paid or quarters are provided to chaplains while on active duty.
• Uniform allowance for newly commissioned National Guard or Reserve chaplains is paid after 30 days on Active Duty Training.
• Uniform allowance for newly commissioned chaplains is paid upon entry to extended active duty over 90 days. This is a one-time payment. Guard and Reserve chaplains entering extended active duty are given an additional uniform allowance.
• Promotions follow the policies governing officers of all branches of the service, but are strongly affected by proficiency in pastoral skills.
• Full medical and dental care is available to all military personnel while serving on active duty. This includes those Reserve Component members during a period of mobilization and for six months afterward. Medical and dental are usually also available for a fee for Reserve Component at other times.
• Medical care is furnished to eligible family members of active military personnel when facilities and medical personnel are available.
• Commissary and post-exchange stores are available to active-duty military personnel and their family members. These privileges may be extended to Guard and Reserve personnel and their families in conjunction with periods of active service.
• Transportation of household goods and personal effects is provided to duty stations at Government expense for active-duty chaplains and eligible family members.
• Housing on installations is provided for active-duty chaplains and eligible family members when available, or a housing allowance when housing is not available.
• Thirty days leave each year is offered to active-duty personnel at full pay.
• Retirement is available after a minimum of 20 years of honorable active duty service. A similar provision exists for Reserve and Guard to retire after 20 years but normally draw retired pay only after age 60.
• Retirement is available at age 60 after a minimum of 20 years of Reserve Component or a combination of Reserve and extended active duty.
• Personal travel aboard military aircraft on a 'space available' basis or discount fares on commercial airlines.
• On-base recreational facilities and programs can include swimming, golf, gymnasiums, and jogging trails.

Opportunities for Professional Growth

Some of the opportunities for professional growth include:

• Orientation, career, and advanced chaplaincy courses at a Chaplains School.
• Continuing pastoral education short courses and postgraduate study at civilian schools.
• Fifteen days permissive leave at no expense to the government for denominational retreats and conferences.
• Various service and inter-service professional military school courses.
• A variety of professional publications and materials are available to keep you current in the faith world.
• Tuition assistance for education programs.
• The possibility of a mid-career course at a Civilian Institution to meet the needs of the service.