2007-07-29 05:17:57 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It ensures private billets.
Also, they are considered "Specialists" much as a doctor or lawyer would be.
It also protects them from unreasonable issuance of orders.
2007-07-29 05:28:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Chaplain Corps of each service is established by law, under Congress' authority to write laws for the armed forces. Each service (Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard) requires the priests, ministers, rabbis and imams to have a college degree because of that law.
BTW, Rabbis were not allowed to serve in the Chaplain Corps until President Lincoln signed an Executive Order to permit that.
2007-07-29 10:47:12 · answer #2 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They aren't "generally" officers, all chaplains are officers, and it's due to the amount of training they have to go through to become a chaplain. They deserve the commission.
2007-07-30 14:50:44 · answer #3 · answered by Jacob R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
generally speaking (no pun intended) to BE a Chaplain in our military service requires the training of a colledge graduate(seminary or otherwise) In civilian duty they would be full fledged ministers or priests. Therefore the Officer Ranking.
2007-07-29 05:40:22 · answer #4 · answered by amadeus_tso 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most ministers/rabbis/Imams/ect..., have college degrees. That would let them get officer ranks anyway if they wanted them. Plus, it is a special job that the military can't just run an MOS school for, just like doctors or lawyers.
The rank also lets them have better quarters and pay, as well as authority over the majority of the service. Plus, back when we fought enemies that actually cared about prisoner rights, their rank would allow them, if captured, to spend their time in officer POW camps, rather than enlisted.
2007-07-29 07:03:05 · answer #5 · answered by joby10095 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My best guess is because it takes more training and a college education to be a chaplain.
2007-07-29 05:20:01 · answer #6 · answered by Summer B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, you need a college degree in theology or whatever to become a pastor, priest, reverend etc...in the civilian world. Just the same you need one to be a chaplain.
2007-07-29 06:09:40 · answer #7 · answered by cmortality 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are called "direct commisions" due to their specific theological academic credentials. Medical Doctors are also commisioned directly, often at advanced officer ranks ( O-3 and up.)
2007-07-29 05:21:07 · answer #8 · answered by Tommy B 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋