Military Chaplain Endorsement
The Evangelical Church Alliance is a recognized endorser of military chaplains by the United States Department of Defense, providing ministerial credentials and support to chaplains in their role of ministry to military personnel and their families.
Those who wish to serve in the Armed Forces, the VA Service and the Civil Air Patrol, (CAP) must receive an Ecclesiastical Endorsement from a recognized denomination or religious organization certifying that the candidate is not only in good standing with the ordaining body, but is a person highly qualified to serve as a chaplain.
The ECA will provide approval letters for qualified persons who are preparing for Military Chaplaincy by attending seminary and wish to participate in the Chaplain Candidate Program.
Those who having completed seminary, having met the minimum education 
requirements, (72 Credit Hours*) and having required experience of no less than two-years, (730 days*) may apply for membership with the ECA. The ECA carefully processes applicants to determine their character, calling, qualifications and abilities to serve in the military as a chaplain. When an applicant meets all the requirements of the military and the ECA, a personal Examination Interview will be conducted. Providing the examination is satisfactory, an ordination service will be scheduled.
Upon acceptance into the ECA as an Ordained Minister, and payment of the first year's Annual Membership Dues ($125.00) and Application and Ecclesiastical Endorsement fees, ($125.00) the ECA Chaplain Commission office will provide an Ecclesiastical Endorsement letter and Form 2088 to the appropriate military office.
Those desiring Ecclesiastical Endorsement by the ECA mustcomplete the following two applications:
The ECA Membership Application must be accompanied by a $50.00 non-refundable application fee, along with the other required support documents, which are listed on the application. Instructions for completing the Application for Membership are found on the Application Page.
The Ecclesiastical Endorsement Application, must be submitted with a $125.00 non-refundable application and endorsement fee.
To download these forms, you must have Adobe Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, please click on the icon located below and follow the installation instructions.
Interested candidates may receive additional information by contacting the ECA Chaplains Commission, P O. Box 9, 205 W Broadway, Bradley, Illinois 60915, Phone: 1-888-855-6060, E-mail at info@ecainternational.org.
*Additional qualifications for Military Chaplaincy may be received from the branch of service in which an applicant is interested. A Chaplain Recruiter will serve as a valuable asset to assist you with your questions as to the military requirements. The ECA is an affiliate member of the National Association of Evangelicals Commission on Chaplains.
