Do I need to go to Chaplain Direct Commission course if I'm not a Direct Commission?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 10:42:42 -0400

I'm being told by my Chaplain command that I need to go to Chaplain Direct Commission course even if I'm not a Direct Commission officer. I commissioned from ROTC as a 17X and shortly after transferred to 56X. I'm trying to get school scheduled, but I'm being told I have to go this Direct Commission Course even though I'm not a DC officer.

Does anyone have guidance on this?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2024 10:54 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 10:54:43 -0400

Chaplains are Direct Commission only. There is no other way (that I am aware of) to commission as a Chaplain.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2024 12:14 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 12:14:31 -0400

Yes, unfortunately.
The DC course is a non-waiverable requirement to get to Chaplain BOLC, and there is some Chaplain branch specific coursework in the DCC.
It is the only way to branch Chaplain, even if you are already commissioned in any basic branch.
Every year we have one or more 56Xs that already have a basic branch commission from a commissioning source such as ROTC, OCS, etc.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 27 at 2024 1:47 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 13:47:06 -0400

Going Chaplain is a very specific pipeline and is way different than a normal entry level officer coming out of OCS/ROTC. You will need to go the direct commission route. It's part of the process.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jun 27 at 2024 4:16 PM

COL Randall C. — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:16:29 -0400

2LT Private RallyPoint Member, it might be easier if you think of the Chaplains Direct Commissioning Course as the first phase of CHBOLC, because that's exactly how TRADOC lays it out*. The CHBOLC POI from TRADOC (the CHBOLC Smartbook*), shows that the DCC is listed as one of the four phases in CHBOLC (in the Smartbook, the DCC is referred to as "CHBOLC A - Initial Military Training").

If you look at the 64 lessons for IMT (starts on page 48), you'll see a lot of "basic training" you would expect (land navigation, D&C, etc.) but it also integrates the basic "welcome to being a Chaplain in the Army" stuff such as 'Introduction to Worship in the Military Context', 'Lawful Authority of the Chaplaincy', 'Conduct Religious Service in Unified Land Operations', etc.
---------------------------
* TRADOC CHBOLC - https://usairl.tradoc.army.mil/courses/chbolc/
* CHBOLC Smartbook - https://usarlatraining.army.mil/documents/70971/0/CHBOLC+Smartbook+AUG18.pdf/6fd8aa02-35b2-4d10-bc93-4bb0ece518eb#page=47&zoom=100,0,0

CHBOLC - US Army Institute for Religious Leadership

ATRRS Number: 5-16-C20-56A Enrollment: • Enrollments are controlled by Human Resources Command (HRC) Course length: 8 weeks (multiple phases) Location: Chaplain School, Fort Jackson Frequency: Approximately 3 times per year Incoming Students: CHBOLC Students coming to Fort Jackson need to review the Welcome Guide below prior to arrival. If you are enrolled and within 15 … Continue reading "CHBOLC"

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2024 8:56 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 08:56:17 -0400

I can't say for the Army, but a commission is a commission.

Again, Army's rules may differ but I've seen many Naval Officer start out in a direct commission program, and end up URL. I've seen LDOs and CWOs finish their degrees and go Restricted Line. In theory they could go URL as well (I've heard of it for nukes, but I've been out of that world for a while). Changing your designator (or MOS for y'all) doesn't require a recommission.

Response by 1LT Brandon Brackett made Jul 15 at 2024 1:41 AM

1LT Brandon Brackett — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 01:41:34 -0400

CHBOLC is for MOS qualification