CAP
Endorsed Clergy Track
AFCB
Member
3.0
CEUs at Annual CTE
49 yrs
Continuous Standing
What Endorsement Covers
Air Force Auxiliary recognition for Spirit-filled chaplains.
CAP chaplains are professionally qualified, endorsed clergy who deliver ministry to members outside the walls of a traditional congregation. Generally, CAP Chaplains have to qualify by the same clergy rules as Air Force Chaplains, excepting the age requirements. AEGA-endorsed CAP chaplains receive ongoing fellowship and continuing education through AEGA's Annual Conference Retreat.
An AEGA Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Endorsement is the ecclesiastical document the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, requires from a chaplain candidate's faith body. Endorsement names the candidate as an ordained AEGA minister in good standing whose Spirit-filled, Trinitarian Pentecostal doctrine has been examined by AEGA's Board of Examiners and recommended for CAP chaplain service. A CAP chaplain must also become a CAP Senior Member, which includes a fingerprint card, background check, and payment of national and local dues.
Who AEGA Endorses
Six common Civil Air Patrol chaplain pathways.
AEGA covering applies across CAP wings, squadrons, regions, and groups. Every track shares the same endorsement letter and the same Spirit-filled fellowship.
CAP wing chaplains.
Chaplains assigned at the wing level, serving across the squadrons in a CAP wing. The role includes spiritual care of cadets and senior members and chapel services at encampments.
CAP squadron chaplains.
Chaplains serving a single CAP squadron, often the chaplain a cadet or senior member sees most. The endorsement applies across the squadron's training, mission, and emergency-services activities.
CAP region and group chaplains.
Chaplains serving at the region or group level, coordinating chaplain assignments and spiritual-care programs across multiple wings or squadrons.
Chaplains older than the active-duty age cap.
CAP is one of the most accessible federal chaplaincy tracks because it qualifies clergy by the same rules as Air Force Chaplains, excepting the age requirements. Ministers who exceed the active-duty age limits often find their fit in CAP chaplaincy.
Ministers entering federal chaplaincy through CAP.
For some ministers, CAP is the first federal chaplaincy assignment. AEGA endorsement is the ecclesiastical document the candidate brings to CAP for review at appointment.
Ordained AEGA ministers carrying CAP alongside local-church ministry.
Many CAP chaplains pastor local churches while serving the Air Force Auxiliary. AEGA covering applies across both the congregational and the CAP assignment.
How CAP Chaplain Endorsement Works
Ordained minister first. CAP Senior Member second. Endorsement throughout.
To apply for an AEGA Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Endorsement, a candidate must first complete the ministerial credential application and be approved as an Ordained Minister. The Board of Examiners reviews doctrine, references, and ministry experience for the Ordained Minister tier. AEGA mails the Constitution and Bylaws for review before a thorough review by the Credential Committee covering doctrinal alignment, references, and ministry experience. Once approved as an Ordained Minister, the chaplain candidate may request the CAP chaplain endorsement letter from AEGA Headquarters. The candidate must also become a CAP Senior Member, which includes a fingerprint card, background check, and payment of national and local dues. The two tracks run in parallel: ecclesiastical endorsement from AEGA and Senior Member onboarding through CAP. AEGA remains the chaplain's endorser for the duration of CAP service, with annual fellowship renewal and the Chaplain Annual Report Form filed each May 1.
Why AEGA
A covenant fellowship for the long career of CAP chaplaincy.
AEGA carries chaplains across decades of Air Force Auxiliary service. The fellowship's four pillars hold through wing change, role transition, and the long arc of CAP ministry.
Covering.
Biblical, spiritual accountability that protects chaplains and affirms their God-given assignment. Where there is no accountability, there is no responsibility. AEGA-endorsed CAP chaplains carry covering that does not expire when a chaplain rotates wings.
Community.
A relational fellowship where chaplains are known by name. The Grapevine monthly newsletter. The Annual Conference Retreat. A special seminar and reception for chaplain spouses each year.
Coaching.
Practical leadership development and continuing education. The Annual Conference Retreat carries CTE sessions on Saturday afternoon with special speakers on subjects relevant to chaplain ministry. Up to 3.0 CEUs per attendance.
Credibility.
An established ecclesiastical endorser since 1976. Member of AFCB, NAE, NCMAF as part of AEGA's broader federal-chaplaincy standing. The endorsement letter CAP expects on file from a chaplain's faith body.
CAP Senior Member · The Parallel Onboarding
Fingerprint card, background check, national and local dues.
A CAP chaplain must become a CAP Senior Member, which includes a fingerprint card, background check, and payment of national and local dues. This Senior Member onboarding runs in parallel to the AEGA ordination and endorsement track. CAP handles the membership process; AEGA handles the ecclesiastical layer. AEGA chaplains can also tap continuing education through AEGA's educational branches: Omega Theological Seminary and Evangel Christian University of America. Both offer Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees by distance learning. AEGA chaplains receive discounted tuition at Columbia International University as part of the AEGA chaplain program benefits.
From an AEGA-Endorsed Chaplain
"I went to the International Minister's Conference to see if I could sense the vision of AEGA. I not only sensed it, but I also wanted to be a part of it."
Jerry Hatfield · Chaplain & Professor · Texas
How to Apply
From AEGA ordination to CAP chaplain endorsement.
01
Apply for AEGA Ordained Minister credentials
The first gate. CAP requires the chaplain to qualify by the same clergy rules as Air Force Chaplains, excepting the age requirements. AEGA's Board of Examiners reviews doctrine, references, and ministry experience for the Ordained Minister tier.
02
Complete the credential review
AEGA mails the Constitution and Bylaws for review before a thorough review by the Credential Committee covering doctrinal alignment, references, and ministry experience. Most credentials are issued within three to five weeks.
03
Become a CAP Senior Member and request the endorsement letter
The candidate begins CAP Senior Member onboarding (fingerprint card, background check, national and local dues) and requests the AEGA CAP chaplain endorsement letter. AEGA prepares the letter on AEGA letterhead.
04
Submit to the CAP chaplaincy
The candidate submits the AEGA endorsement to the CAP chaplaincy office. AEGA remains the chaplain's endorser for the duration of CAP service, with annual fellowship renewal and the Chaplain Annual Report Form filed each May 1.
Frequently Asked
Civil Air Patrol chaplain endorsement, answered.
What is an AEGA Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Endorsement?
An AEGA Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Endorsement is the ecclesiastical document AEGA Ministries International issues to candidates serving as chaplains with the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary. The endorsement names the candidate as an ordained AEGA minister in good standing whose doctrine and ministry have been examined and recommended for CAP chaplain service.
What are the qualifications for a CAP chaplain?
CAP chaplains are professionally qualified, endorsed clergy. Generally, CAP Chaplains have to qualify by the same clergy rules as Air Force Chaplains, excepting the age requirements. A CAP chaplain must also become a CAP Senior Member, which includes a fingerprint card, background check, and payment of national and local dues.
What credentials must I have to be endorsed?
AEGA Ordained Minister credentials. AEGA's ordination credential is the prerequisite the endorsement is built on.
Is CAP chaplaincy easier to enter than active-duty military chaplaincy?
CAP qualifies clergy by the same rules as Air Force Chaplains, excepting the age requirements. For ministers who exceed the active-duty age limits, CAP is often the most accessible federal chaplaincy track that still carries the gravity of Air Force Auxiliary service.
Does AEGA endorsement cover both CAP and active-duty military chaplaincy?
Yes. AEGA is approved by the Pentagon as an Endorsing Ecclesiastical Organization with the United States of America Military Chaplaincy Program and endorses chaplains across CAP and active-duty branches. Ministers serving in both tracks do not need separate endorsers.
How long does the endorsement letter take?
Endorsement letters are prepared by the AEGA office once an applicant is approved as an Ordained Minister. The credential review itself is the long pole; most credentials are issued within three to five weeks. Once approved, the endorsement letter follows within days. The annual renewal cycle includes the Chaplain Annual Report Form, with a May 1 deadline each year.
Begin the CAP endorsement pathway.
Ordination, endorsement, and a Spirit-filled fellowship that carries Civil Air Patrol chaplains across the long career of Air Force Auxiliary service.