- Status of Organization and Membership:
The United States Corps of Chaplains is a
Christian ministerial and volunteer, civilian, public service organization made up of
former and retired military personnel and other patriotic, public spirited
citizens. Prior military service is not a requirement for membership, but may be
taken into consideration on assignment of rank and position.
- Our Motto:
"Pro Deo Et Patria" which translated into English is "For God And Country" and signifies the two main reasons for our service. First and
foremost it is for God in service to all as His representatives in faith and morals. Secondly, as patriotic Americans, our service is for our Country which includes the well being of its citizens, spiritually, morally, and physically, regardless of the race, color, religion, sex, physical characteristics, or national origin of those we serve.
- Our Main Function:
Ministry is the main function of the United States Corps of Chaplains and it is organized in a modified military fashion to most effectively minister to people, especially during times of crisis, whether it is a personal, local, or national emergency. Each member of the Corps has a duty to serve and help during times of need.
- Mission, Objectives, and Values:
- Mission: The United States Corps of
Chaplains is dedicated to primary missions of providing ministerial support and military honors and assistance to active military members, veterans, and their families while also providing ministerial service to the civilian community and all possible assistance in response to disasters of any type.
The United States Corps of Chaplains is also dedicated to defending the Constitution of the United States of America; to upholding and defending the Bill of Rights, seen as unalienable, given by God to free men that they might remain free; to ensure that all citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, physical characteristics, or national origin, shall have the right and opportunity to practice their religion as established and guaranteed by that document which guides this great nation.
The focus of the Mission of the United States Corps of
Chaplains is sharing the love of Christ to:
- Glorify God,
- Promote Patriotism,
- Honor our Veterans,
- Minister to All.
- Objectives: To have Chaplains and units in every community
trained to fulfill the mission and uphold the values of the United States Corps
of Chaplains, sharing the love of Christ to
Nurture the living, Care for the dying, and
Honor the dead.
- Values: We, at all times, and in every way, seek the
protection, wisdom, and leadership of Almighty God, submitting to Him to do His
will. We continue to meet the vision of General George
Washington by setting the standard for moral and ethical behavior by upholding
the values he established for the first official American Chaplaincy which are
incapsuled in the acronym "SACRED" --
- Spirituality: The bedrock of all
faiths, providing meaning and direction in life. Seek to know God and yourself
at the deepest level.
- Accountability: The means to measure
how we practice what we preach. Hold yourself and others to the moral and
spiritual high ground in every area of life.
- Compassion: Love in word and deed. The love that sees beyond
the surface and discerns our common humanity.
- Religious Leadership: Model spiritual truths wisely and
courageously.
- Excellence: Do your best for God's glory. The standard for staff
work and religious responsibilities.
- Diversity: Being respectful of
different views and ideas that are not like our own.
- Organization:
The United States Corps of Chaplains is
structured in a modified military fashion, with main and subordinate units to assist its
Chaplains in providing and performing religious and humanitarian support.
The members of the USCOC units are commissioned, or assigned, to rank positions
similar to military rank designations, so that a clear chain of command and
responsibility is designated for accomplishing religious and humanitarian support.
The USCOC Unit Structure is as follows from the smallest to the largest:
- Team: A Team is the smallest USCOC unit and the building block
for larger units. A Team may be assigned to a Company, Battalion, Brigade,
Division, or National Headquarters. A Team is named as by the locality of
where its central command, or meeting point is located (examples: Opelika
Team, Auburn Team, etc). Teams may be of a permanent or temporary nature.
New units are established as Teams.
- Company: A Company is organized to coordinate the activities
between Teams when two or more Teams are established in an area. A Company
consists of the Company staff and assigned Teams and personnel. Companies are
named named using the phonetic alphabet as in Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta,
etc. in order of establishment as a unit.(examples: Alpha Company, Bravo
Company, etc). A Company may be assigned to a Battalion, Brigade, Division, or
National Headquarters.
- Battalion: Battalions are organized as headquarters to
coordinate the activities of two or more Companies (or Teams) within a large
section of a state. Battalions consist of the Battalion staff, assigned
Companies, and other assigned subordinate units and personnel. Battalions are
named by using the nine compass points of the area of coverage within a State
(NW, N, NE, W, C, E, SW, S, SE).
+---------------+ NW = Northwest
| NW | N | NE | N = North
| | | | NE = Northeast
+----+-----+----+ W = West
| W | C | E | C = Central
| | | | E = East
+----+-----+----+ SW = Southwest
| SW | S | SE | S = South
| | | | SE = Southeast
+----+-----+----+
- Brigades: Brigades are organized as the state level
headquarters to coordinate the activities of Battalions and other subordinate
units within the state. A Brigade consists of the Brigade staff, the assigned
Battalions, and other assigned subordinate units and personnel within the
state. Brigades are named by the state name which they serve.
- Division: Divisions are organized as regional headquarters to
coordinate the activities of several state Brigades. A Division consists of
the Division staff, the assigned Brigades, and other assigned subordinate
units and personnel within the region. Divisions are numbered as 1st Division,
2nd Division, etc.
- National Headquarters (Headquarters Division): The regulatory and governing body
for all units and personnel within the United States Corps of Chaplains.
If a gap exists in the chain of command above, then individual members and subordinate units are
under the direct command of the next higher command unit that exists in their
chain of command.
- Service at the Discretion of the Organization:
- The United States Corps of Chaplains: The USCOC
accepts the membership and service of volunteer members with the understanding
that service is at the sole discretion of the USCOC. Members agree that the
USCOC may at any time, for whatever reason, terminate the member's relationship
with the USCOC, or make changes in the nature of their volunteer assignment.
- Members: A volunteer may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to
sever his or her relationship with the USCOC. Notice of such resignation of
membership should be immediately communicated in writing, or by email, to the
member's supervisor or commander.
- Requirements for Membership:
All applicants in the USCOC must be accepted by the
unit and higher headquarters. Membership is not extended to those practicing,
teaching, encouraging, or otherwise advocating any acts or beliefs contrary to
the Christian belief. All applicants must meet the following criteria:
- General. Possess the desire, willingness, and capability to promote
the objectives, purposes, and missions of the USCOC.
- Age. Be at least 16 years of age, with those under 18 supplying a
signed letter of permission from their parent or guardian.
- Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States of America.
- Suitability. Subject to being waived by the Board of Directors, any
one of the following may be the basis for rejection of membership.
- Conviction of a felony by any court of record whether federal, state, or
military.
- A pattern of arrests and/or convictions including but not limited to sex
offenses, child abuse, DUIs, dishonesty and violence.
- Discharge from the armed services under other than honorable conditions.
- Falsification of information on the membership application.
- Previously terminated from membership in the USCOC.
- Any other unfavorable information brought to the attention of USCOC
officials at any level.
- Oath of Membership:
All members, regardless of
rank or office appointed to, are required to take an oath, as follows, showing
agreement by public statement within the internet based forum or by submission
of signed statement to commanding officer:
"I, (your
name), as a member of the United States Corps of Chaplains, do solemnly affirm
that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America; that I
will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will honor the laws of
this country; that I will practice the Christian ethics of love and charity
toward all; that I will comply with all policies and directives set in place for
the Corps; that I take these obligations freely, without any mental reservation
or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties
of the office which I am about to enter, so help me God."
- Assignment to Duties, Positions, Rank, and Promotions:
(full regulations are
contained in USCOC-105) In order to achieve the goals of the United States Corps of Chaplains in an
effective and disciplined manner, a command / rank structure made up of
Commanding Officers and staff is necessary. Being so closely associated with the military and made up of primarily former
military personnel, the rank system is used rather than conventional church titles.
This helps those we chiefly serve to relate to us in a manner with which they are
familiar and comfortable.
Assignments to duties, position, rank, and promotions, shall be made by the
applicable unit commander with the approval of the next higher commander and
will be for the good of the USCOC, considering to the greatest extent possible
the interests and qualifications of the member. Time in Grade (TIG) and
performance are major factors in considering promotions. Command Sergeant Major and General Officer appointments
and promotions are made only by the National Headquarters Board of Directors.
- Rank:
Grade and Appointment are
always considered according to the needs of the USCOC. Military or civilian
experience, education, and professional qualifications are also taken into
consideration for inital appointments and rank for new members. (See Section 3-3
of USCOC-105)
All new members are required to complete the Basic
Orientation Course within two weeks of being accepted as a member of the
USCOC. Below are the USCOC ranks
and abbreviations
in descending order of authority. Rank insignia for each is also shown.
- General Officers (appointed by Board of Directors)
- General (GEN) - 4 stars
- Lieutenant General (LTG) - 3 stars
- Major General (MG)
- 2 stars
- Brigadier General (BG) - 1 star
- Company and Field Grade Officers
- Colonel (COL) - Silver eagle
- Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) - Silver oak leaf
- Major (MAJ)
- Gold oak leaf
- Captain (CPT) - 2 silver bars
- First Lieutenant (1LT) - 1
silver bar
- Second Lieutenant (2LT) - 1 gold bar
- Enlisted Noncommissioned Officers
- Command Sergeant Major (CSGM) - 3 stripes and 3 rockers with a star
surrounded by a wreath in the middle
- Sergeant Major (SGM) - 3 stripes and 3
rockers with a star in the middle
- Master Sergeant (MSG) - 3 stripes and 3
rockers
- Sergeant First Class (SFC) - 3 stripes and 2 rockers
- Staff Sergeant (SSGT)
- 3 stripes and 1 rocker
- Sergeant (SGT) - 3 stripes
- Corporal (CPL) - 2
stripes
- Enlisted Members
- Private First Class (PFC) - 1 stripe and 1 rocker
- Private Second Class (PSC)
- 1 stripe
- Private (PVT) - no rank insignia
- Types of Appointments and Promotions:
- Duty and Performance Promotions: includes time in a specific grade (rank) before
promotion
- Special Appointments and Promotions: Made only by the Board of Directors and includes appointment and promotion of active, retired,
or resigned members of the Armed Forces
- Professional Appointments and Promotions: Made only by the Board of Directors
- Chaplain Appointments
- Other Professionals
- Uniforms:
A major reason for USCOC uniforms is so members will be readily identifiable as
part of the United States Corps of Chaplains. It is understood that uniform
items can be expensive so these directives are constantly under further
considerations. It is perfectly appropriate and acceptable to wear a basic
uniform of black trousers with a white shirt and black tie without the dress
coat. Placement of devices is covered in the chart below. NOTE: Uniforms and
uniform items are illustrated on the
USCOC website.