Chaplain
Oregon Wing Chaplain: Maj David King
Assistant Chaplain: Maj André Martin
Assistant Chaplain: Lt Col Allen Zaugg
The CAP Chaplain Corps was organized under the guidance of the Air Force Chief of Chaplains by CAP General Order 350 on 4 April 1950. Since that time, as a component of the Air Force Auxiliary, the CAP Chaplain Corps has partnered with and modeled itself after the USAF Chaplain Corps. Chapter 909 of Title 10, United States Code, Section 9446 states, “The Secretary of the Air Force may use the services of Civil Air Patrol chaplains in support of the Air Force active duty and reserve component forces to the extent and under conditions that the Secretary determines appropriate.” Except for certain education waivers, the CAP Chaplain Corps appoints chaplains who meet the same educational and professional standards as all chaplains in the Department of the Air Force and provide similar training to prepare them for domestic, noncombat ministry.
Chaplains are at every level: squadron, group, wing, region, and national. At all levels, chaplains are their commander’s main point of contact and primary resource for accomplishing the Chaplain Corps mission. Chaplains interact and coordinate with other chaplains and Character Development Instructors (CDIs) at the organizational level above and below them to ensure that the Chaplain Corps mission is being accomplished.
Character Development Instructors (CDI). CDIs work to ensure that core values and character education is promoted in their units. CDIs at all levels perform their assigned duties and coordinate with chaplains and other CDIs at the organizational level above and below them to support their chaplain to help ensure accomplishment of the Chaplain Corps mission. At all levels CDIs may be assigned to work specific non-clergy Chaplain Corps tasks and functional areas. At the wing, region, and national levels, the commander may select a CDI to serve on their staff.
The Wing often receives questions on the procedures for becoming a chaplain because the process is quite different than any other CAP position. The person who is considering becoming a chaplain will need to meet the standards as set in the CAP regulations. The candidate must first submit a regular senior member application and actually become a senior member and complete Level I training before submitting a chaplain application. It is very important to contact the Wing Chaplain as early in the process as possible as there are many documents and approvals needed from different bodies and endorsers before a candidate becomes a chaplain.
Duties of the Wing Chaplain:
- Oversee all Chaplain Corps policies and activities at the wing level.
- Advise the wing commander on matters of religion, morale, and well- being of personnel,
- Develop a wing level Chaplain Corps continuing education program.
- Communicate with subordinate Chaplain Corps members via a newsletter or other regularly scheduled publications or media presence.
- Oversee the training of chaplains and CDIs in the wing for Emergency Services as coordinated with the wing DO.
- Interview chaplain or CDI candidates.
- Review and approve or remand chaplain and CDI applications.
- Support Chaplain Corps recruiting.
- Provide pastoral care to members of the wing staff.