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AC and AR Marines Can Apply to Become Navy Chaplains Through FY27/28 Program

MARADMIN 543/26·November 3, 2026·3 min read·Official source

The Marine Corps just announced the FY27/28 Chaplain Corps In-Service Procurement Program (CHC ISPP). This is a commissioning pathway for AC and AR Marines who want to become Navy Chaplains. It involves leaving the Marine Corps, completing a graduate theological degree, and entering the Navy as a chaplain. The application window closes 15 January 2027.

Bottom line: If you want to serve as a Navy Chaplain, this is the program, and your complete package is due to the CHC ISPP management team by 15 January 2027.

Who it affects

AC and AR enlisted Marines (E-5 and above) and officers (O-3 and below) who meet all of the following:

  • U.S. citizen
  • Age 21 to 42, able to complete 20 years of service by their 62nd birthday
  • Enlisted: 4 to 10 years of active duty time-in-service; Officers: 2 to 8 years, measured at time of acceptance
  • Bachelor's degree of at least 120 semester hours from an accredited institution, minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Endorsed by a DoD-listed Religious Endorsing Organization (REO)
  • Currently in full duty status, with no pending disciplinary, administrative, or legal actions

This does not apply to IRR Marines or SMCR Marines not in an AR status.

What you need to do

This is a multi-step application. Work through each piece well before the deadline.

  1. Write a self-nomination letter to the Chairman of the Chaplain Appointment and Retention Eligibility Advisory Group (CARE-AG), stating whether you intend to start in the fall or spring of academic year 27/28, or the fall of academic year 28/29.

  2. Gather your last three observed FITREPs and official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework.

  3. Get your REO to submit DD Form 2088 endorsing you for the CHC ISPP. Find your REO at https://prhome.war.gov/m-ra/mpp/afcb/endorsements/.

  4. Confirm your intended school meets the REO's, the Navy's, and the CHC ISPP's education requirements.

  5. Contact the CHC ISPP management team to schedule a required interview with an O-6 Navy Chaplain, and confirm form NAVCRUIT 1131/5 is submitted. Also schedule a command interview and get the Commanding Officer's recommendation form (OPNAV 1420/1) submitted.

  6. Submit an AA form requesting an inter-service transfer and conditional release from the Marine Corps, with a completed DD Form 368 and an O-5-or-above Commander's endorsement, to MMSR-2 via the correct mailbox:

    • Enlisted: smb_manpower_mmsr2e@usmc.mil
    • Officers: smb_manpower_mmsr20@usmc.mil

    Note: Requests received more than 12 months before your EAS will normally be disapproved.

  7. Submit your complete application package to the CHC ISPP management team at navychcispp@us.navy.mil by 15 January 2027.

If selected, you will accept appointment in writing, apply to your graduate institution, get your course of instruction approved, and complete all inter-service transfer and enlistment or commissioning requirements before matriculation. Enlisted Marines will enlist as a Navy Officer Candidate; officers will be commissioned as Navy designator 1940.

Key dates

  • 15 January 2027: Complete application package due to navychcispp@us.navy.mil
  • 5 working days before executing orders: MMSR-2 must receive a copy of your Navy enlistment or commissioning orders

The official version

This guidance comes from MARADMIN 543/26. Full program information is at https://www.navy.mil/resources/navy-chaplain-corps/chaplain-corps-in-service-procurement-program/.

For questions, contact:

  • CHC ISPP Management Team: navychcispp@us.navy.mil
  • GySgt D.S. Craig, MMEA-3: dominique.craig@usmc.mil / 703-784-1129

This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.

Resources & references

The documents this bulletin points to, with a plain-English note on why each matters. Links marked CAC required need a government login.

  • Military Personnel as Theological Students (Title 10 USC 2004C)Reference

    Federal law authorizing the detailing of military personnel as students at theological schools for chaplaincy training. It is one of the foundational legal authorities governing this program.

  • Career Intermission Program statute (Title 10 USC 710)Reference

    Federal law covering the Career Intermission Program, which may be relevant to how a Marine structures a break in active service during the program.

  • CHC ISPP Program Authorization (Program Authorization 110A)Reference

    The specific program authorization that sets the basic eligibility requirements for the CHC ISPP. This MARADMIN directs applicants to review it before applying.

  • ALNAV 069/26 (REF D)MARADMIN

    The Navy-wide announcement this MARADMIN coordinates with for the FY27/FY28 CHC ISPP. It provides the broader Navy guidance that Marine Corps applicants also need to follow.

  • CHC Program Authorization (Program Authorization 110)Reference

    A related CHC program authorization that applicants are directed to familiarize themselves with prior to applying.

  • Appointment and Service of Chaplains (DODI 1304.28)Reference

    DoD instruction governing how chaplains are appointed and serve. Selectees must ensure their graduate program course of instruction complies with this directive.

  • Appointment of Officers in the Navy Chaplain Corps (OPNAVINST 1120.9B)Reference

    Navy instruction that governs the appointment of officers into the Navy Chaplain Corps. Applicants are directed to review it before submitting a package.

  • DoD Religious Endorsing Organizations list

    This document lists every religious organization and its designated endorsing agent that the Department of Defense officially recognizes for military chaplain endorsement. Reserve Marines exploring chaplain programs or verifying whether their faith community qualifies for military endorsement would find the full roster of denominations and points of contact here.

  • CHC ISPP program information page

    This page describes the Chaplain Corps In-Service Procurement Program, which allows eligible Active Reserve Marine Corps officers and enlisted members to commission as Navy chaplains. If you are considering a transition into religious ministry and want to understand the eligibility requirements and process for becoming a Navy Chaplain Corps officer, this document explains the pathway.

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