UNITED STATES CORPS OF CHAPLAINS
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
CLANTON, AL 35046 		USCOC REGULATION 105
MEMBERSHIP, APPOINTMENTS, AND PROMOTIONS
21 FEBRUARY 2005
REVISED: 26 AUGUST 2006

Personnel - General

MEMBERSHIP, APPOINTMENTS, AND PROMOTIONS

This regulation defines USCOC membership categories and prescribes proper administrative procedures for membership application, member appointments and promotions.

Section 1 - General Information
        1-1 Policy
        1-2 Requirements for Membership
        1-3 Membership Conditions
        1-4 Membership Categories
        1-5 Initial Grade (Rank) for New Members

 Section 2 - Application Procedures
        2-1 Action by the Applicant
        2-2 Action by National Headquarters

 Section 3 - Appointments and Promotions
        3-1 General Requirements
        3-2 Types of Appointments and Promotions
        3-3 Duty and Performance Promotions
        3-4 Special Appointments and Promotions
        3-5 Professional Appointments and Promotions

SECTION 1 - GENERAL INFORMATION

1-1. Policy.  Membership in the United States Corps of Chaplains (USCOC) is a privilege reserved for those individuals who desire to promote the objectives, purposes, and missions of the USCOC and who meet the eligibility requirements outlined herein.

1-2.  Requirements for Membership.  All applicants in the USCOC must be accepted by the unit they will be asssigned to 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:

  1. General. Possess the desire, willingness, and capability to promote the objectives, purposes, and missions of the USCOC.
  2. Age. Be at least 16 years of age, with those under 18 supplying a signed letter of permission from their parent or guardian.
  3. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States of America.
  4. Suitability. Subject to being waived by the Board of Directors, any one of the following may be the basis for rejection of membership.
    1. Conviction of a felony by any court of record whether federal, state, or military.
    2. A pattern of arrests and/or convictions including but not limited to sex offenses, child abuse, DUIs, dishonesty and violence.
    3. Discharge from the armed services under other than honorable conditions.
    4. Falsification of information on the membership application.
    5. Previously terminated from membership in the USCOC.
    6. Any other unfavorable information brought to the attention of USCOC officials at any level.
1-3.  Membership Conditions.  All persons agree to by applying for membership to the following continuous conditions of membership:
  1. To obey the decisions of those in authority and to follow and adhere to the appropriate regulations and directives of the United States Corps of Chaplains.
  2. To maintain high ethical and moral values in all dealings, personally and professionally;
  3. To respect each person's difference in religious beliefs, including the differences in doctrine, style and personality of other Christians as they follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit;
  4. To only speak in edifying ways in regards to others, including Christian ministers, ministries, and the Body of Christ at large;
  5. To treat all with whom you come into contact as we would like to be treated.
1-4.  Membership Categories. United States Corps of Chaplains membership is divided into the following categories:

1-5.  Initial Grade (Rank) and Appointment for New Members.  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 initial appointments and rank for new members. (See Section 3-3) All new members are required to complete a Training Course before being assigned Rank and Position in the USCOC.

SECTION 2 - APPLICATION PROCEDURES

2-1.  Action by Applicant 2-2.  Action by National Headquarters
  1. The National Chief of Personnel (G-1) sends a introductory letter to the applicant with information about the membership process.
  2. National Headquarters will review the application for accuracy, completeness, and preliminary eligibility of the applicant, and a preliminary background check is performed.
  3. The National Chief of Personnel (G-1) sends a copy of the preliminary approved application to the nearest Unit Commander/Personnel Officer to the applicant.
  4. The Unit Commander will set up an interview with the application to further determine eligibility, suitability, and if approved for membership, initial assignment and rank.
  5. If approved for membership, the Unit Commander/Personnel Officer will submit a Request for Orders to National Headquarters for membership and initial assignment and rank of the applicant.

SECTION 3 – APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS

3-1. General Requirements. Criteria for appointment and promotion of members will be applied uniformly throughout the United States Corps of Chaplains. All USCOC Chaplains are to be Commissioned Officers but not all Officers are Chaplains. In no case may any member hold higher rank than their Commanding Officer. 

To be considered for appointment and/or promotion, the member must:

  1. Demonstrate ability and competency in current assignment.
  2. Fully comply with all policies, directives, and orders.
  3. Respect higher ranking members and the chain of command.
  4. Be recommended by supervisor and/or unit commanding officer.
  5. Be approved by the unit's next higher command [in some cases, approval by the National Chief of Staff (COS) or Board of Directors (BOD) is required. See below]
  6. Complete the Basic USCOC Orientation Courses.
3-2. Types of Appointments and Promotions
  1. Duty and Performance Promotions
  2. Special Appointments and Promotions
  3. Professional Appointments and Promotions
3-3. Duty and Performance Promotions.   Below are required minimums that must be applied, and actual time in grade may be longer in some cases before being promoted to the next higher grade. The time in grade required for promotion is subject to being lengthened as the USCOC grows. It should be clearly understood that the time in grade (and other requirements) for promotion does not mean that a promotion is forthcoming.
  1. Promotion is not automatic. Promotions will be given ONLY if the slot (position or job assignment) a member is currently filling supports a promotion to a higher grade, or if the member is moved to a different position or job assignment that allows for a higher rank, is otherwise fully qualified, and has the necessary approvals.
  2. Performance within, and on behalf of, the USCOC will be a major contributing factor in promotions awarded.
  3. There will be no "leapfrogging" or skipping grades, except in the event of great Corps need, and then only with the approval of the National Chief of Staff or the Board of Directors.
  4. Official reprimands or other adverse actions in a members personnel file will delay, though not necessarily prevent, promotions. Any member recommended for promotion who has an adverse personnel action on file will be referred to the National Chief of Staff for review and disposition.
  5. Appointments to General ranks, Command Sergeant Major, and promotion of General Officers, can only be achieved through action by the Board of Directors. Members appointed to HQ Senior Staff must be in the rank of at least Colonel, with 5 years minimum service, and require approval of the Board of Directors, unless assigned by initial appointment.
  6. Waivers to these requirements will be considered by the Board of Directors on a case by case basis, and only under extraordinary circumstances. No waivers of any kind will be granted without the express approval of the National Chief of Staff or the Board of Directors.
Minimum time in grade requirements for duty performance promotions for Enlisted Members
E1   Private PVT   Initial grade for all enlisted, unless exceptionally qualified for higher appointment and with approval of unit personnel chief (CSGM or COP (HQ) if gaining unit has no personnel chief.
E3   Private First Class PFC   6 months as a Private Second Class.
E4   Corporal CPL   1 year as a Private First Class.
E5   Sergeant SGT   1 year as a Corporal.
E6   Staff Sergeant SSGT   2 years as a Sergeant
E7   Sergeant First Class SFC   2 years as a Staff Sergeant
E8   Master Sergeant MSG   3 years as a Sergeant First Class
E9   Sergeant Major SGM   4 years as a Master Sergeant
E9   Command Sergeant Major CSGM   5 years as a Sergeant Major and approval by the BOD.

Minimum time in grade requirements for duty performance promotions for Commissioned Officers
O1   Second Lieutenant 2LT   Initial Grade for all Officers, unless exceptionally qualified for higher
  appointment, and with approval of Chief of Personnel (HQ) or BOD.
02   First Lieutenant 1LT   6 months as a Second Lieutenant
O3   Captain CPT   1 year as a First Lieutenant.
O4   Major MAJ   2 years as a Captain.
05   Lieutenant Colonel LTC   2 years as a Major
O6   Colonel COL   3 years as a Lieutenant Colonel and approval by the BOD.
O7   Brigadier General BG   3 years as a Colonel and approval by the BOD.
O8   Major General MG   3 years as a Brigadier General and approval by the BOD.
O9   Lieutenant General LTG   4 years as a Major General and approval by the BOD.
O10   General GEN   5 years as a Lieutenant General and approval by the BOD.

3-4. Special Appointments and Promotions. Special Appointments and Promotions are made only with the approval of the Board of Directors or the National Headquarters Chief of Staff.

  1. General. Based on the needs of the USCOC, special educational qualifications, or military experience, certain members may be eligible for initial appointment or promotion to a grade commensurate with their position or experience. Future advancement is subject to qualifying for a higher grade (rank) under these provisions or meeting the duty performance eligibility requirements outlined in paragraph 3-3 above, whichever comes first.
     
  2. Active, Retired, or Resigned Members of the Armed Forces.  Active, retired or resigned members of the Armed Forces of the United States, including Reserve, National Guard, Coast Guard, etc, may be advanced to a USCOC grade equivalent to their grade in the Armed Forces, in recognition of their military knowledge and experience. Future advancement is subject to qualifying for a higher grade (rank) under these provisions or meeting the duty performance eligibility requirements outlined in paragraph 3-3 above, whichever comes first.
3-5. Professional Appointments and Promotions.
  1. Chaplain Appointments.  Appointments to Chaplain status within the USCOC are made only by the Board of Directors. To be considered for appointment to Chaplain status the member must be of the Christian faith, having professed Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and be an ordained minister. Proof of Ministerial Ordination must be submitted to the Board of Directors. The initial grade (rank) for a Chaplain is Second Lieutenant. Based on the needs of the USCOC, a higher initial grade (rank) may be approved by the Board of Directors or the National Headquarters Chief of Staff. Future advancement is subject to meeting the duty performance eligibility requirements outlined in paragraph 3-3 above and in a. and b. below.
    1. Command Chaplains : Command Chaplains may serve as Commanding Officers over subordinate units of the USCOC. There is no cap on the rank that a Command Chaplain may achieve. They are eligible for assignment to any office within the USCOC.
    2. Staff Chaplains: Staff Chaplains may not serve as Commanding Officers, serving exclusively in the capacity of a USCOC Chaplain. Staff Chaplains are subject to the following cap on rank: 
      1. If serving at Brigade level or below maximum rank will be Major.
      2. If serving at Division or National HQ level a Staff Chaplain may be promoted as far as Colonel.

  2. Other Professional Appointments and Promotions.  Upon the approval of the Board of Directors or the National Headquarters Chief of Staff, health service personnel, legal officers, and other professionals may qualify for an initial appointment to the grade (rank) of Second Lieutenant. Based on the needs of the USCOC, initial appointment to a higher grade (rank) may be authorized. Future advancement is subject to meeting the duty performance eligibility requirements outlined in paragraph 3-3 above.