Only 3% percent of those serving in the U.S. military today consider themselves evangelical Christians. And yet the percentage of evangelical chaplains serving the religious needs of soldiers and officers is 33%, according to information from the Department of Defense.

 

The disparity may continue to grow, as the U.S. Air Force reports that 87% of those seeking to become chaplains are enrolled at evangelical divinity schools.

 

Multiple reasons are cited for the disproportionate number of evangelicals in the chaplain ranks. Many Protestant and Catholic seminary leaders have remained opposed to military life since the Vietnam War. Also, evangelical seminaries make it easier for aspiring chaplains to get their education online through Web-based courses.

 

Military officials insist the personal beliefs of chaplains do not get in the way of providing religious services to troops of all faiths.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Military Chaplains Are Faith Mismatch for Personnel They Serve (by Tim Townsend, St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

First Army Clergyman Killed in Action in 40 Years (by Noel Brinkerhoff and David Wallechinsky, AllGov)

Army Chaplain Asks Soldiers to Fast on Jewish Feast Day(by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)