Competencies of the Military Chaplain

The candidate for certification will demonstrate the ability to:

MCITP1: articulate a history of the military chaplaincy.

MCITP2: be aware of the history and mission of the chaplain’s particular military component and branch as well as the place and mission of chaplaincy within that service’s institution.

MCITP3: be conversant with Joint-Service policies concerning religious support and expectations of chaplains in a joint environment.

MCITP4: demonstrate a working knowledge of the chaplain’s role as advisor to command on issues related to moral, ethical, diversity, confidentiality, religious/spiritual issues and/or on individual and unit morale taking into consideration one’s advice as it may relate to a working knowledge of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

MCITP5: integrate learning from the chaplain’s appropriate level of Professional Military Education and Chaplain School Training into a personal theory of chaplain leadership.

MCITP6: be knowledgeable about, and able to articulate, the importance of confidentiality and privileged communication by chaplains in a military environment.

MCITP7: demonstrate the integration of theories from the behavioral sciences, the chaplain’s faith tradition, and appropriate military traditions and expectations with the chaplain’s theory of supervisory practice.

MCITP8: incorporate a working knowledge of the unique aspects of group process and organizational behavior within a military environment.

The candidate for certification will demonstrate the ability to:

MCPIC1: use one’s chaplain authority, supervisory authority, and military rank in differing situations while maintaining the necessary tension between one’s chaplain and officer roles.

MCPIC2: incorporate an awareness of, and respect for, pastoral and personal boundaries with others: command staff, subordinates, military and family members.

MCPIC3: distinguish between what religious/spiritual support the chaplain’s subordinates might be able to personally provide and what to do about religious/spiritual needs that the staff cannot personally provide for others. (This may be demonstrated with a current, past or hypothetical staff)

MCPIC4: function as a mentor for subordinates professionally and personally with sensitivity to their personal and professional developmental stage.

MCPIC5: function as advisor to command on moral, ethical, and religious accommodation issues within the military unit in which they serve.

MCPIC6: model the ability to cooperate with diverse populations, especially but not limited to a diversity of culture, race and faith positions, without compromising one’s own beliefs and traditions.

The candidate for certification will demonstrate the ability to:

MCPPS1: provide effective administration and leadership of a chapel section/department. MCPPS2: effectively supervise staff and volunteers.

MCPPS3: provide coordination and oversight of chaplaincy care during mass-casualty, real-world or exercise situations.

MCPPS4: articulate an understanding and methods of assessing spiritual and moral implications of policies and actions on military personnel, populations within the chaplain’s sphere of influence, and larger communities; frame and present such assessments to other professionals, command staffs, and senior commanders.

MCPPS5: articulate an engagement plan of ethical & moral challenges that might arise within the military environment while maintaining one’s personal integrity, beliefs, values and the mission of the military.

MCPPS6: demonstrate a working knowledge regarding when to seek professional consultation, when to refer to others and when to recuse oneself.

MCPPS7: articulate the unique professional role as a chaplaincy care leader to command staff, in deployed situations and international arenas.

MCPPS8: develop and implement a sabbatical plan for subordinates.

MCPPS9: mentor subordinates’ professional training, development and professional credentialing.

The candidate for certification will demonstrate the ability to:

MCOL1: demonstrate organizational and family systems theories incorporated into the practice of supervision of subordinates and the administration of a chapel section/department.

MCOL2: demonstrate the ability to work as a team member in liaison with command and other military units, specialties and personnel.

MCOL3: demonstrate the ability to interact effectively with community government and faith group leaders in humanitarian, charity, and/or religious/spiritual events that involve both military and community members.

MCOL4: apply culturally appropriate, evidence-informed strategies and practices for communicating and interacting with community faith leaders for the purpose of supporting the spiritual and practical needs of military/family members.

MCOL5: integrate chaplaincy care into the military environment through appropriate measures, such as policies & procedures, special projects, use of evidence-informed chaplaincy care, and education of others concerning the role and utilization of a chaplain.

MCOL6: describe the role of the chaplain in a quality improvement project(s) within the chapel section and/or military community and its impact on the military environment.

MCOL7: demonstrate situational awareness concerning the level of severity of incidents within the chaplain’s sphere of influence; determine what and who needs to be informed and what communication means is appropriate with respect to tactical, operational, and strategic level impact.