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Chaplain

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Wing Chaplain (HC) - Ch, Col Kenneth W. Parris

 

Staff

Please see the Wing Personnel Authorization for the most up-to-date list here: Personnel Authorizations and for contact information login into PCR Tools Here.

Duties

Wing Chaplain (CAWG/HC)

The Wing Chaplain serves in four capacities.

  1. Administrator of Wing Chaplain Service – Wing Chaplains are responsible for facilitating appointments for Chaplains and Character Development Instructors, collecting and compiling the semi-annual Form 34s and then submitting the Form 34a, reading and approving the one-page reviews of the Chaplain Service submitted by Character Development Instructors for their Technician rating, along with a host of other administrative duties.
  2. Counselor/Confident to the Commander – Since Chaplains at all levels of Civil Air Patrol serve the Commander, Wing Chaplain is an advisor to the Commander regarding the Wing's religious/spiritual/moral needs and a sounding board/counselor for the Commander as needed.
  3. Chaplain to Wing Staff – Serving as the Chaplain to the Wing Staff.
  4. Pastor to the Wing – While the Wing Chaplain is primarily involved in administration, the Chaplain never ceases to be a pastor.

FAQ

  1. What is the role of CAP Chaplains?
    • There are five core processes for CAP Chaplains:
      • conducting religious observances - by providing opportunities for religious worship to CAP members;
      • providing pastoral care - through pastoral counseling and care which responds to the needs of Civil Air Patrol members and those that CAP serves;
      • modeling ethical leadership - providing a positive influence in the Civil Air Patrol environment by modeling and facilitating ethical leadership that promotes moral decision-making;
      •  advising leadership - concerning the spiritual needs, religious requirements, and ethical issues that impact the mission, the quality of life, and the religious freedoms of Civil Air Patrol members
      • (providing training, involvement, and recognition.
  2. How do I become a CAP Chaplain?
    • Generally, CAP Chaplains have to qualify by the same clergy rules as Air Force Chaplains, excepting the age requirements. A CAP chaplain must become a CAP Senior Member, including a fingerprint card, background check, and payment of national and local dues.
    • CAP Regulation 265-1 states that Chaplains must receive an ecclesiastical endorsement from a faith group approved by the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF) before appointment as a chaplain.
    • Chaplains must also have a Bachelor's degree and have completed a 72-semester hour (108 quarter-hours) graduate degree program in theological or related studies from a qualifying educational institution. A waiver may be granted to those who do not meet the graduate study requirement providing they meet all other requirements and present proof (resume) of at least five years of full-time or equivalent ministry experience as a pastor or similar role within their denomination.
    • CAP chaplaincy provides a wide array of exciting and fruitful ministry opportunities. If you are interested in exploring CAP chaplaincy, contact the Wing Chaplain.
  3. Can I be a visiting clergy?
    • Visiting clergy may work with a local CAP unit for six months as a trial period. The wing chaplain must approve your involvement, and you must be escorted at all times by a Senior Member who has been through Cadet Protection training.
  4. How do I become a Character Development Instructor?
    • Character Development Instructors provide Character Development training within their local unit. Character Development Instructors (CDIs) operate under the CAP Chaplains Corps but are not Chaplains.
    • A CDI must become a CAP Senior Member, which includes a fingerprint card, background check, and national and local dues payment.
    • CAP Regulation 265-1 states that a CDI must have completed 60 hours of study beyond the high school diploma and obtain a letter of recommendation from their local religious official (i.e., church pastor, rabbi, etc.) who verifies that the applicant is spiritually, morally, and emotionally qualified to serve as a Character Development Instructor and the applicant has held a leadership position in a church or synagogue setting for at least two years. The wing chaplain will conduct a personal or phone interview with the candidate. Following the wing commander's approval, the national office makes the appointment.
    • Character Development Instructors provide an essential function in the lives of our cadets as they develop their moral and ethical attitudes about life. If you are interested in becoming a Character Development Instructor, contact the Wing Chaplain.
  5. Are there training opportunities for CAP Chaplains?
    • There is a myriad of training opportunities. First, all CAP Chaplains go through the same Level 1 training as other Senior Members. After appointment as a CAP Chaplain, you begin a series of excellent and informative courses to qualify as a Technician, Senior and Master Chaplain. You must accomplish this training at each level to be eligible for the Level 2, 3, and 4 CAP Professional Development.
    • All of the Emergency Services, Aerospace, and Cadet training courses are open to Chaplains and the other professional military courses for other CAP Senior Members including the Unit Commanders course. Annually each CAP Region holds a Region Chaplains Staff College. This four-day event is a time of advanced training for Chaplains. It is an enriching training opportunity.
  6. Can a CAP Chaplain as be a Unit Commander?
    • CAP Chaplains are part of the Chaplain Corps and are not CAP "line" Officers. Chaplains serve on the staff of Commanders and cannot be Commanders. If one chooses to become a Unit Commander, they relinquish their credentials as a CAP Chaplain.
  7. What rank does a Chaplain hold?
    • As a general rule at the time of appointment, if a CAP Chaplain qualifies, they are advanced to the rank of Captain. After that, their advancement is according to time in service and achievement levels.
  8. How are Chaplains assigned?
    • Chaplains join a CAP Squadron as Senior Members. Under most circumstances, they will serve as Chaplains to their Squadron after appointment as a Chaplain. While they are in the process of appointment, they may wish to qualify as Character Development Instructors.
  9. What faith groups can become CAP Chaplains?
    • The Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps mirrors the Air Force Chaplain Corps. Most recognized faith groups have representation, such as Christian (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant), Mormon, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, etc. However, all CAP Chaplains serve as interfaith Chaplains. CAP Chaplains are Chaplains to all members of their unit or place of service regardless of faith affiliation or not.
  10. Are there restrictions in practicing your faith?
    • All CAP Chaplains are true to their own faith beliefs, but proselyting is not permitted. The CAP environment is not a mission field. It is a field of ministry to all who need the services of a Chaplain.
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