How to Be Military Deployment Support Services (Chaplain) - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 7, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Military Deployment Support Services (Chaplain) provide a vital role in the mental health and wellbeing of deployed troops. Chaplains provide essential spiritual, emotional, and moral support to members of the armed forces during their deployment, helping them to cope with the stress and anxiety of being away from home. This support is especially important during times of war or conflict, when the pressures of combat can take an immense toll on the mental and physical health of those involved.

By providing access to counseling, religious services, and other forms of assistance, chaplains can help to reduce the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues often experienced by troops returning from deployment. chaplains can also assist in locating spiritual and religious resources for those who may be struggling with their faith while away from home. the support provided by chaplains helps to ensure that deployed troops can return home in a more stable state of mind.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelors Degree. To become a military deployment support services chaplain, you must obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Become Ordained. In order to become a chaplain, you must be ordained by an ecclesiastical authority. You will need to be able to provide evidence of your ordination.
Obtain a Chaplain Endorsement. You must obtain a chaplain endorsement from a recognized religious organization or faith group. This endorsement indicates that you are qualified to serve as a military chaplain.
Join the Military. Once you have obtained your bachelor's degree, ordination and endorsement, you can join the military as a chaplain. You will need to pass the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) and meet the physical requirements for enlistment.
Complete Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course. After joining the military, you will need to complete the Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC). This course will prepare you for the role of a chaplain in the military and provide you with the necessary training and skills for your job.
Participate in Deployment Support Services. After completing BOLC, you will be assigned to a unit and participate in deployment support services. This includes providing spiritual, emotional and mental support to members of the military during deployment and other challenging times.

As military deployments become more frequent and prolonged, it is important for service members and their families to stay ahead and capable. One way to do this is to access the Military Deployment Support Services (MDSS) Chaplain. MDSS Chaplains are available to provide spiritual and emotional counseling, as well as logistical support for service members and their families.

They also provide spiritual and moral guidance, offer religious and cultural programs, facilitate family readiness groups, and provide spiritual support and resources. they can provide pre- and post-deployment counseling, and are available to help service members manage the stress of deployment. By using MDSS Chaplains, military members and their families can stay ahead and capable during military deployments.

You may want to check School Chaplain, Sports Team Chaplain, and Hospital Chaplain for alternative.

Job Description

Provide pastoral care, counseling, and spiritual guidance to military personnel and their families.
Develop and implement religious programs and activities.
Engage in active ministry (e. g. preaching, worship, prayer, sacraments)
Cooperate with other spiritual and secular organizations in providing support services to deployed personnel and their families.
Provide education and training on personal spiritual growth, stress management, and other topics related to ministry in the military context.
Assist in the development and implementation of social programs and community outreach initiatives that promote the spiritual and emotional well-being of deployed personnel and their families.
Develop and facilitate support groups for military personnel and families.
Foster meaningful relationships among all members of the military community.
Collaborate with other service providers to develop comprehensive and cohesive care plans for deployed personnel and their families.
Advocate for the interests of deployed personnel and their families in the larger military community.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of military personnel and family support services
Knowledge of spiritual care and counseling techniques
Ability to empathize with and relate to people from diverse backgrounds
Understanding of the unique challenges military personnel and their families face
Ability to provide compassionate, spiritual care and counseling to military personnel and their families
Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Ability to work with a wide range of individuals, including those in crisis situations
Familiarity with military culture, policies, and procedures
Understanding of the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Ability to provide spiritual guidance and support during deployments and homecomings
Knowledge of military chaplaincy
Skilled in conflict resolution, mediation, and crisis management

The most important skill to have when providing military deployment support services as a chaplain is the ability to effectively communicate with and relate to people from all backgrounds. The ability to recognize and understand the individual needs of service men and women is paramount in providing the necessary spiritual, emotional, and psychological support. This includes being able to listen without judgement, provide comfort and reassurance, offer advice when necessary, and be a source of strength during difficult times.

It is also important to have a deep understanding of the culture and values of different branches of the military, as well as the different types of deployments that may occur. Having the knowledge and experience to help those facing unique challenges or being deployed for extended periods of time is essential for providing quality service. By having these skills, chaplains can ensure that service members are receiving the best support possible during their military deployments.

Nursing Home Chaplain, Funeral Home Chaplain, and Community Outreach Chaplain are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How do you ensure patients are provided with the necessary spiritual, moral and ethical support?
How do you ensure compliance with Army regulations, directives and standards?
What do you believe to be the most important roles of a chaplain in a military setting?
Describe how you would provide spiritual guidance and counseling to military personnel.
What experience do you have in leading worship services and activities?
How do you handle difficult situations when counseling with service members?
How do you handle confidential information and sensitive topics?
Describe the process that you would use to develop and implement a successful program for spiritual growth in a military setting.
What do you believe to be the biggest challenge facing chaplains in a military environment?
What strategies do you have in place to ensure appropriate care and attention is given to all service members regardless of rank or religious background?

Common Tools in Industry

Deployment Readiness Checklist. This is a list of tasks and resources to help service members and their families prepare for deployment. (eg: arrange child care, update wills, etc)
Pre-Deployment Counseling. Chaplains offer pre-deployment counseling to service members and their families to prepare them for the changes that come with deployment. (eg: discussing family communication strategies, understanding deployment stressors, etc. )
Reintegration Support. Chaplains provide reintegration counseling and support to help service members adjust to life after deployment. (eg: helping service members reconnect with family and friends, understanding the impact of deployment on relationships, etc. )
Spiritual Care. Chaplains offer spiritual care and guidance to service members during deployment. (eg: leading prayer services, providing spiritual counseling, offering spiritual comfort, etc. )
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support. Chaplains provide support to service members with PTSD after deployment. (eg: leading support groups, providing spiritual guidance and counseling, helping with referrals to mental health professionals, etc. )

Professional Organizations to Know

Association of Professional Chaplains
National Association of Catholic Chaplains
Society of Catholic Military and Veterans Chaplains
National Association of Jewish Chaplains
Military Chaplains Association
American Association of Christian Counselors
National Association of Healthcare Chaplains
International Conference of Police Chaplains
International Conference of Fire Chaplains
International Conference of Industrial Chaplains

We also have Grief Counseling Chaplain, Aviation Support Services Chaplain, and Chaplain jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Chaplaincy. A specific type of ministry that provides spiritual care and support to members of the military, their families, and civilian personnel who are connected to military operations.
Spiritual Care. A broad term that describes the provision of emotional and spiritual support to individuals who are struggling with lifes challenges.
Pastoral Care. A form of spiritual care that focuses on providing comfort and support to individuals in times of distress or crisis, often with an emphasis on pastoral counseling.
Moral Support. Assistance given to someone through emotional encouragement or verbal reassurance.
Crisis Intervention. Immediate assistance given to someone who is in a state of emotional distress or crisis.
Grief Counseling. A type of therapeutic counseling designed to help individuals process and cope with grief or loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services are provided by Military Deployment Support Services Chaplains?

Military Deployment Support Services Chaplains provide spiritual and pastoral care to members of the military and their families before, during, and after deployments. They provide counseling, religious services, and support to service members and their families in order to help them cope with the stresses of deployment.

Who can access Military Deployment Support Services Chaplain services?

Military Deployment Support Services Chaplain services are available to all service members and their families, regardless of religious affiliation.

How many chaplains are available to provide Military Deployment Support Services?

The U.S. Department of Defense currently employs more than 2,400 chaplains in the active duty and reserve forces.

What type of support do Military Deployment Support Services Chaplains provide?

Military Deployment Support Services Chaplains provide spiritual, moral, and emotional support to service members and their families. They offer counseling, prayer, religious services, and other forms of support to help individuals deal with the psychological and spiritual aspects of deployment.

What are the qualifications for becoming a Military Deployment Support Services Chaplain?

To become a Military Deployment Support Services Chaplain, an individual must have a master's degree in theology from an accredited institution, be ordained or endorsed by a recognized faith group, and have three years of professional ministry experience. They also must pass a background check and complete Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC).