Army chaplains celebrate 250 years of ministry

Army chaplains and U.S. soldiers around the world this week celebrated the establishment of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps 250 years ago. After the Continental Congress established the Army on June 14, 1775, then-Gen. George Washington and other leaders advocated for an official position for military chaplains. Congress granted the request on July 29, 1775. Since then about 25,000 Army chaplains have served in every American conflict since the Revolutionary War. Chaplains serve millions of service members in every branch of the military to prioritize and protect religious freedom.

Ahead of the anniversary, the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces called on President Donald Trump to approve an update to the Chaplains Hill monument at Arlington National Cemetery to add the names of chaplains who have died from the Korean War to the present day.

How has the corps changed in the last 250 years? More than 3,000 chaplains currently serve in the U.S. Army and represent five major religions and over 120 denominations. In addition to protestant chaplains, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist chaplains serve, according to The Army Historical Foundation. In 1979, the Army commissioned its first female chaplain. The corps has grown to include religious affairs specialists, chaplain candidates, and directors of religious education. While a chaplain’s primary role is to minister to troops, many have also administered last rites to fallen soldiers in the midst of active battles. More than 400 chaplains have died in war, according to Greg Tardieu, a historian for the Arlington National Cemetery Chaplain Hill Committee. 

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report about protests that coincided with the Army’s 250th anniversary.