The Professionalization of American Chaplains: 1865-1950
-Presentation: �The Professionalization of American Chaplains: 1865-1950.�
-Website: �The Military Chaplaincy�� Chapters 1-3
II. Writing: Reflection Paper
The Civil War revealed much about the need to professionalize the American military chaplaincy. No
doubt, chaplains provided spiritual care for the warrior�s soul of both the North and South. However, the
lack of organizational structure and inconsistencies in commissioning, regulations, uniforms, pay,
expectations, and mission were clearly exposed as hindrances to ministry. To this concern,, following the
Civil War military and religious leaders moved forward to create a professional chaplain corps that met its
full development by WWII. After completing your readings you will need to do the following exercise:
Write a 3-page paper (following the current Turabian edition) analyzing the professionalization of the U.S.
military chaplaincy following the Civil War to 1950. This assignment is designed to help you appraise the
historical principles that resulted in the U.S. military chaplaincy becoming a professional organization.
This assignment will require at least 3 distinct sources.
ANY FORM OF PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!!
THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF AMERICAN CHAPLAINS 2
The Professionalization of American Chaplains: 1865-1950
For the better part of history, ministers of the Gospel have always paid an essential role.
Up to date, I think Chaplains still have an influence in the United States Armed Forces. This is so
because in July 29, 1775, the military chaplaincy was formed by the Continental Congress. 1 It
was viewed that being a good soldier was a mandatory aspect, but being involved in divine
services was important as one should not be inattentive to the highest duties of religion.
Chaplains were to work with each other and respect the beliefs of others. Dating back to the
beginning days of the United States, the Colonial forces took with them a local minister. The
1 Cox, Matt. n. d. “Serving Two Masters: The Development of American Military Chaplaincy,
1860-1920.” Trinity Seminary Review 26, no. 2: 138. Literary Reference Center Plus
THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF AMERICAN CHAPLAINS 3
minister was viewed as a figure of authority within the people, and according to my thinking, he
or she had to be very educated for such a position. 2 His or her counsel and motivation for those
going to war was a major deal, and no military operation was to be carried out without such.
Chaplains saw the need to minister to people who were isolated in camps and training areas,
spiritually embrace those who were frightened at battlefields, sick and injured or imprisoned at
war camps.
Contrastingly, the chaplaincy was not a proud lot at all. Various times, they were viewed
with suspicion, or misunderstood in respect to their role and needs to survive in their work. 3
Many times people would make them feel unappreciated and unwanted; supporting their
reactions towards them with the fact that chaplaincy was a branch like no other in the Army.
Such feelings towards the ministers of the Gospel made it uneasy for them to carry out their
activities in the desired environment. Chaplains did not emerge as battlefield heroes, or
supporters of the idea of an unjust war and encouraging soldiers to arm themselves with weapons
and kill. 4 They were, at times, caught in between the demands of religious conviction and the
need for military activities. For them, religious foundation for the soldiers was of dire need as
spiritual growth in times of war was important. 5 These individuals had a lot in their hands in the
2 Parker, Hershel. 1990. Reading Billy Budd. Evanston, Ill: Northwestern University Press.
3 Parker, Hershel. 1990. Reading Billy Budd. Evanston, Ill: Northwestern University Press.
4 Ebel, Jonathan. “The Development of American Military Chaplaincy, 1860-1920 (Book).”
Journal of Religion 83, no. 3 (n. d.): 439. Literary Reference Center Plus.
5 Parker, Hershel. 1990. Reading Billy Budd. Evanston, Ill: Northwestern University Press.
THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF AMERICAN CHAPLAINS 4
sense that they had to work out solutions to the existing problems as well as spiritual realms. The
War Department recognized their place in the society and the spiritual need for their troops and,
therefore, saw it fair to pay them allowances and acknowledge them with the rank of captain of
cavalry. 6 Chaplains held no rank at all but were still considered for pay as military members.
Their uniforms had the ranks inscribed in them and this at times made people mistaken them for
command officers.
The ordainment of the ministers of the Gospel was put through several mishaps that made
them realize that there was indeed an importance in professionalizing their chaplaincy. Congress
made it seem like a long journey to become ordained as a minister. It required clergymen who
wished to become chaplains to produce credentials from their particular denominational bodies,
which ascertained their fitness for the position. More so, shortcomings were met when arranged
worship services were to be held. Issues like movements of the army and bad weather made it
strenuous to be there for army troops. Its members viewed themselves as ministers in uniforms
instead of professional soldiers like the rest of the armed troops. In the history of the American
Army, Chaplain Moody stated that it was the first time that any attempt was made to organize the
work of chaplains. He viewed the United States as “unorganized at the end of the war as at the
beginning of the war.” I see this as a basis of lack of organizational structure, which may have
hindered other problems from being corrected. It is also due to this that incase of any issue that
arose, chaplains had nowhere to turn to for help, and could neither appeal to anyone for
assistance.
6 Cox, Matt. n. d. “Serving Two Masters: The Development of American Military Chaplaincy,
1860-1920.” Trinity Seminary Review 26, no. 2: 138. Literary Reference Center Plus
THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF AMERICAN CHAPLAINS 5
For any profession, promotion means a lot. A higher regard from other individuals as a
greater level of authority is bestowed on an individual. It also results in more pay, for a more
comfortable living. For most people, chaplains may not be regarded for promotion as their work
is to serve God and carry out spiritual care for people. 7 Many think that they are disinterested in
such and therefore need not promotion. Promotion for various levels meant a lot in the Army but
it was very slow. 8 For the chaplaincy, it was even worse as there were neither chaplaincy school
nor clear regulation covering duties and responsibilities. The chaplains were still required to
carry out duties and responsibilities that out of their regiments.
There was constant pressure to consider them as officers and not ministers. This was due
to being assigned work that was not of their intellect or skills or ordainment by their religious
body. Some chaplains did not agree to commanders assigning them to tasks that had little or no
correlation to their training. Some would be posted as librarians while others as morale officers.
All in all, chaplains saw the need to address these hindrances to the success of their work. They
felt it right to move forward and create a professional chaplain corps that eventually met its full
development later on in World War 2.
The chaplaincy organized a definition of their responsibilities and regulation of their
duties, a school was started, manuals used to guide them in their training, and more so, their
7 Ebel, Jonathan. “The Development of American Military Chaplaincy, 1860-1920 (Book).”
Journal of Religion 83, no. 3 (n. d.): 439. Literary Reference Center Plus.
8 Cox, Matt. n. d. “Serving Two Masters: The Development of American Military Chaplaincy,
1860-1920.” Trinity Seminary Review 26, no. 2: 138. Literary Reference Center Plus
THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF AMERICAN CHAPLAINS 6
status as officers was sufficed and allowances stabilized together with pay. The increased
professionalism was of a great deal that saw those involved having more to what they actually
desired in doing their duties.
Bibliography
Cox, Matt. n. d. “Serving Two Masters: The Development of American Military Chaplaincy,
1860-1920.” Trinity Seminary Review 26, no. 2: 138. Literary Reference Center Plus
Ebel, Jonathan. “The Development of American Military Chaplaincy, 1860-1920 (Book).”
Journal of Religion 83, no. 3 (n. d.): 439. Literary Reference Center Plus.
Parker, Hershel. 1990. Reading Billy Budd. Evanston, Ill: Northwestern University Press.
