Chaturbhuj N. Gidwani, Hindu Lay Leader, U.S. Army, Camp Foster Chapel, Okinawa, Japan
July 22, 2004: The purpose of this article is to inform all American religious organizations that the Department of Defense Directive (DODD) Number 1304.19 of June 11, 2004 has been reissued with update policy and responsibilities and is effective immediately. This update continues the educational and ecclesiastical requirements for appointing military chaplains.
It is Department of Defense (DoD) policy that the Chaplaincies of the Military Departments:
1) Are established to advise and assist commanders in the discharge of their responsibilities to provide for the free exercise of religion in the context of military service as guaranteed by the Constitution, to assist commanders in managing Religious Affairs, and to serve as the principal advisors to commanders for all issues regarding the impact of religion on military operations.
2) Shall serve a religiously diverse population. Within the military, commanders are required to provide comprehensive religious support to all authorized individuals within their areas of responsibility. Religious organizations that choose to participate in the Chaplaincies recognize this command imperative and express willingness for their Religious Ministry Professionals (RMPs) to perform their professional duties as chaplains in cooperation from other religious traditions.
I encourage various faith groups to seek recognition by DoD as ecclesiastical endorsing organizations. There are Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Muslim chaplains in the American armed forces, but not yet any Hindu chaplains. To be granted for DoD recognition, religious faith groups sponsoring a chaplain shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Be organized exclusively or substantially to provide religious services to a lay constituency.
(2) Possess ecclesiastical authority to grant or withdraw initial and subsequent ecclesiastical certification.
(3) Present an applicant for appointment as a chaplain who meets the qualifications.
(4) Provide to the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Board (AFCB) the name, title, mailing address, and telephone number of the designated official authorized to represent the organization to the Military Services. Point of contact for AFCB is Chaplain, Colonel, Richard K. Hum, Tel. 703 697-9015.
(5) Agree to abide by all DoD and Military Department regulations and policies concerning the qualifications and endorsement of clergy for service as military chaplains.
For additional information contact the author, Ghatubhuj Gidwani, at 011-81-611-745-5217.