On July 29, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized pay for one chaplain for each regiment of the Army. Since that time, tens of thousands of chaplains have served as religious and spiritual leaders for tens of millions of Service Members and their families.
Always present in war and in peace, chaplains have served in more than 270 major wars and combat engagements. Hundreds of chaplains have laid down their lives in battle and 8 have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Their love of God and country has been a beacon of light and a message of hope for all those who have served our nation.
Nearly 3,000 chaplains are serving today, representing more than 200 religious organizations. Unit Ministry Teams (Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants) help our Service Members and their families remain spiritually strong and resilient in every possible setting. They faithfully provide ministry as they encourage the living, care for the wounded, and honor the fallen.
We have our own allegory of The Four Chaplains in The Scottish Rite, which speaks directly to the unfathomable dedication of these unarmed soldiers. If you’re unaware you should seek it out.
Happy Birthday to our amazing Chaplain Corps, the most selfless servant leaders among us! Thank you for all that you do to serve the force and to your families for helping you take care of us and ours!!
