AFCB
Pentagon-Approved Endorser
7
Military Branches Covered
4–6 wks
Endorsement Timeline
49 yrs
Continuous Standing
What Endorsement Covers
Pentagon recognition for Spirit-filled chaplains.
AEGA carries chaplains across virtually every branch of the United States military. The fellowship has held its place at the Armed Forces Chaplain Board (AFCB) for decades, alongside membership with the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) and the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF). AEGA Military Chaplains receive ongoing fellowship and continuing education through AEGA's Annual Conference Retreat, which the various Service Chiefs of Chaplains support for TDY attendance.
An AEGA Military Chaplain Endorsement is the ecclesiastical document the Department of Defense requires from a chaplain candidate's faith body. AEGA is approved by the Pentagon as an Endorsing Ecclesiastical Organization with the United States of America Military Chaplaincy Program. 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 whose ministry has been recommended to the Armed Forces Chaplain Board for chaplaincy service.
Who AEGA Endorses
Six common military chaplain pathways.
AEGA carries chaplains across the full sweep of Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, and candidate-program service. Endorsement is the document the Armed Forces Chaplain Board expects on file throughout the chaplain's career.
Active Duty chaplains.
Officers commissioned through the Chaplain Corps of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force. AEGA endorsement is the ecclesiastical document on file with the Armed Forces Chaplain Board throughout the chaplain's career.
National Guard chaplains.
State-commissioned Guard chaplains receive the same AEGA endorsement as Active Duty. The Service Chiefs of Chaplains support National Guard chaplains attending AEGA's Annual Conference Retreat TDY for continuing education.
Reserve chaplains.
Active Reserve commissioned officers across all branches. Reserve chaplains carry the same endorsement and the same fellowship covering as Active Duty.
Chaplain Candidate Program officers.
Officers entering the chaplaincy through the Chaplain Candidate Program. Endorsement is the document required to enter the program and remain through commissioning.
Service Academy and ROTC chaplain pathways.
Those entering the chaplaincy through commissioned-officer entry programs at the Service Academies or through ROTC, with chaplaincy as the post-commission assignment.
Ministers transitioning into military chaplaincy.
Pastors and vocational ministers entering chaplaincy mid-career. AEGA carries credentialed ministers across the credential ladder; ordination is the credential the Armed Forces Chaplain Board requires.
AEGA's Doctrinal Position
Spirit-filled chaplaincy within a pluralistic military.
The AEGA Military Chaplaincy Program operates on the Biblical principles of respect and love for all military personnel, their families, and other clergy members. AEGA stands firmly within its own Spirit-filled, Trinitarian Pentecostal doctrine. For AEGA Military Chaplains, this precludes participation in relationship enrichment programs with same-sex couples in attendance, such as (but not limited to) Strong Bonds training sessions. Voluntary or forced participation in any such environment will result in the removal of both ministerial credential and endorsement by and from this fellowship. When approached by someone not of AEGA's beliefs or practice for counseling, AEGA expects its chaplains to exercise gentleness and love while triaging the desired counseling needs and, when necessary, referring the seeker to a chaplain or secularly-trained therapist better suited to offer counsel on non-spiritually based needs.
Why AEGA
A covenant fellowship for the long career of military chaplaincy.
AEGA carries chaplains across decades of service. The fellowship's four pillars hold through deployment, command rotation, and the long arc of military life.
Covering.
Biblical, spiritual accountability that protects chaplains and affirms their God-given assignment. Where there is no accountability, there is no responsibility. AEGA-endorsed chaplains carry covering that does not expire at retirement.
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 provides CTE sessions on Saturday afternoon with special speakers on subjects relevant to chaplain ministry. Up to 3.0 CEUs per attendance.
Credibility.
Pentagon-approved Endorsing Ecclesiastical Organization. Member of AFCB, NAE, NCMAF. The endorsement letter the Armed Forces Chaplain Board expects to see on file.
CTE · Chaplain Training Event
Annual continuing education at the AEGA Conference Retreat.
DoD Chaplain Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agencies, like AEGA, may require their endorsed Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates to attend an annual endorser-led training event (CTE). The various Service Chiefs of Chaplains support Units sending Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Chaplains TDY to attend their Endorser's annual training event. CTE attendance through AEGA provides Continuing Education Units up to 3.0. CTE is held at the AEGA Annual Conference Retreat. Saturday afternoon carries the CTE sessions with special speakers on subjects relevant to chaplain ministry. Sunday morning service includes an ordination ceremony. A special seminar and reception for chaplain spouses runs alongside the conference, with speakers focused on spouses and families of chaplains.
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 military endorsement.
01
Apply for AEGA Ordained Minister credentials
The first gate. The Armed Forces Chaplain Board requires the chaplain to be an ordained minister of a recognized faith body. 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 credential review with the Credential Committee covering doctrinal alignment, references, and ministry experience. Most credentials are issued within three to five weeks.
03
Request the military endorsement letter
Once approved as an Ordained Minister, the candidate requests the AEGA Military Chaplain Endorsement letter. AEGA prepares the letter addressed to the Armed Forces Chaplain Board on AEGA letterhead.
04
Submit to the Service accession board
The candidate submits the AEGA endorsement letter to the Chaplain Corps accession board of the chosen Service. AEGA remains the chaplain's endorser for the duration of their service, with annual fellowship renewal and Chaplain Annual Report Form filed each May 1.
Frequently Asked
Military chaplain endorsement, answered.
What is an AEGA Military Chaplain Endorsement?
An AEGA Military Chaplain Endorsement is the ecclesiastical document AEGA Ministries International issues to candidates entering or serving in the U.S. Military Chaplaincy. AEGA is approved by the Pentagon as an Endorsing Ecclesiastical Organization with the United States of America Military Chaplaincy Program and is a member of the Armed Forces Chaplain Board (AFCB), the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), and the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF).
What credentials must I have to be endorsed?
Army, National Guard, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. AEGA has chaplains in virtually every branch of the U.S. military.
What is the CTE that AEGA holds annually?
CTE stands for Chaplain Training Event. DoD Chaplain Ecclesiastical Endorsing Agencies, like AEGA, may require endorsed Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates to attend an annual endorser-led training event. AEGA holds CTE at its Annual Conference Retreat. Saturday afternoon carries CTE sessions; Sunday morning service includes an ordination ceremony. Attendance provides Continuing Education Units up to 3.0. Service Chiefs of Chaplains support sending Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Chaplains TDY to attend.
What is AEGA's position on participating in same-sex relationship programs?
AEGA Military Chaplains do not participate in relationship enrichment programs with same-sex couples in attendance, such as (but not limited to) Strong Bonds training sessions. Voluntary or forced participation will result in the removal of both ministerial credential and endorsement by and from the fellowship. AEGA chaplains do, however, exercise gentleness and love when approached by anyone of any belief for counseling, triaging the need and (where AEGA's theological mandates require) referring the seeker to another chaplain or secularly-trained therapist suited to non-spiritually based counsel.
Which military branches does AEGA endorse for?
AEGA Ordained Minister credentials. The Armed Forces Chaplain Board requires the chaplain candidate to be an ordained minister of a recognized faith body. AEGA's ordination credential is the prerequisite the endorsement is built on.
Endorse your military chaplaincy.
Pentagon-approved ecclesiastical endorsement for Spirit-filled chaplains across Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, and National Guard. Apply once you carry AEGA Ordained Minister credentials.