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6/9/2026 10:13:07 PM EDT
When performing religious services in the field,  Is there any difficulty reconciling different belief systems between, say, Roman Catholic and LDS?
87% of the time, any question starting with "Why..." is answered with "Money."

I am so tempted to lay down the melancholy burden of sanity...

"...and if you can't wait for dawn you can always light a fire."
6/9/2026 11:02:33 PM EDT
[#1]
Not IME.

While they might have a philosophical/fundamental difference with a given soldier, if you need them, they are there.

Units (outside of garrison) typically don’t have the luxury of more than one chaplain; you get what you get and they’re there for the entire unit.
I wanted a mission, and for my sins, they gave me one.
No rules today, sport…just orders.
It’s not about how many people you kill, it’s about how many you save.
6/10/2026 12:08:01 AM EDT
[#2]
In my experience (11 years active, 15 Reserve with 1 GWOT deployment) the chaplains gave generic Christian services but were open to counsel servicemembers of all faiths or none at all.
an event "of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution,"
6/10/2026 1:38:39 AM EDT
[#3]
Not really.  There aren't many RC chaplains.  Even fewer Mormon ones.  Most are Baptist or non-denominational (Baptist).  There are a few liturgical Protestants around.

It's funny to hear the Mormons squawk they they weren't listed as Christian on the recent list - if you'd send more chaplains, you'd have a better chance of influencing that argument.

I ran into exactly one Orthodox chaplain in 20 years across two services.  There was a shit hot ELCA chaplain I had a crush on - she went lesbian, of course.
6/10/2026 5:14:57 AM EDT
[#4]
My son checked out a variety of religions during USMC basic.  He noted that the chaplains which had been marines would let you sleep during services, the others, not.

I once asked an 06 chaplain, 'Other then time in service, what are criteria for promotion of chaplains?'.  He had no answer.
6/10/2026 8:29:46 AM EDT
[#5]
My future wife's parish preist refused to marry us unless we did like 60 hours of pre-cana.  I explained to him I was active duty mil and would not be back until the wedding. He said he would marry us if I got a letter from my RC military chaplan stating that we did 60 hours of pre-cana . We were living togeher off base, but he didn't know that, just that she was also in the base area living.

So I found a RC chaplan, luckily we had one, we made an appointment. He asked what it was about and I explained the situation to him and he took out a piece of paper and wrote the letter stating we had 60 hours worth of pre-cana and told me to wait at least 2 months to mail it or it would look fake.

One priest lying to another, you gotta love it.
Mach
Nobody is coming to save us.

.
6/10/2026 9:02:14 AM EDT
[Last Edit: FoxValleyTacDriver][Edited] [#6]
My cousin was a chaplain for over 20 years. Catholic. They way she explained it they can just offer more generic counseling to non Christian peeps

And off topic but a good friend of mine who was in the army had a chaplain that used to be a Delta guy who was in mogadishu during bhd, and they called him the angel of death. Pretty cool nick name for a chaplain lol.
6/10/2026 9:33:24 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver:
My cousin was a chaplain for over 20 years. Catholic. They way she explained it they can just offer more generic counseling to non Christian peeps

And off topic but a good friend of mine who was in the army had a chaplain that used to be a Delta guy who was in mogadishu during bhd, and they called him the angel of death. Pretty cool nick name for a chaplain lol.
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I’m a typical Catholic, that is non practicing, but I have never heard of a female Catholic priest.   Perhaps something has changed?  It wasn’t allowed in the Roman Catholic realm.   That said perhaps there are other Catholics besides Roman Catholics.

I do know it has been a thing that has been asked for by some petitioning of the pope.
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
6/10/2026 10:34:14 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Originally Posted By backbencher:
Not really.  There aren't many RC chaplains.  Even fewer Mormon ones.  Most are Baptist or non-denominational (Baptist).  There are a few liturgical Protestants around.

It's funny to hear the Mormons squawk they they weren't listed as Christian on the recent list - if you'd send more chaplains, you'd have a better chance of influencing that argument.

I ran into exactly one Orthodox chaplain in 20 years across two services.  There was a shit hot ELCA chaplain I had a crush on - she went lesbian, of course.
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Originally Posted By backbencher:
Not really.  There aren't many RC chaplains.  Even fewer Mormon ones.  Most are Baptist or non-denominational (Baptist).  There are a few liturgical Protestants around.

It's funny to hear the Mormons squawk they they weren't listed as Christian on the recent list - if you'd send more chaplains, you'd have a better chance of influencing that argument.

I ran into exactly one Orthodox chaplain in 20 years across two services.  There was a shit hot ELCA chaplain I had a crush on - she went lesbian, of course.


The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) currently allows gay and lesbian individuals to serve as rostered leaders, including pastors and bishops, regardless of their relationship status.  This policy change, finalized in 2009 with the adoption of the Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust social statement, removed previous restrictions that required celibacy for LGBTQ+ clergy.


AI summary
87% of the time, any question starting with "Why..." is answered with "Money."

I am so tempted to lay down the melancholy burden of sanity...

"...and if you can't wait for dawn you can always light a fire."
6/10/2026 11:09:10 AM EDT
[#9]
Originally Posted By SteelonSteel:



I’m a typical Catholic, that is non practicing, but I have never heard of a female Catholic priest.   Perhaps something has changed?  It wasn’t allowed in the Roman Catholic realm.   That said perhaps there are other Catholics besides Roman Catholics.

I do know it has been a thing that has been asked for by some petitioning of the pope.
View Quote


Military chaplain and canonical chaplain arent the same. She's not a priest in the churches eyes.

But shes a practicing catholic and served the role of a chaplain in the military
6/10/2026 11:22:27 AM EDT
[#10]
To quote Father Mulcahy: "I'm a piano player, Radar. I'll transpose."

The ones I encountered typically did their best to adapt to your chosen affiliation.
6/10/2026 11:25:25 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver:


Military chaplain and canonical chaplain arent the same. She's not a priest in the churches eyes.

But shes a practicing catholic and served the role of a chaplain in the military
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Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver:
Originally Posted By SteelonSteel:



I’m a typical Catholic, that is non practicing, but I have never heard of a female Catholic priest.   Perhaps something has changed?  It wasn’t allowed in the Roman Catholic realm.   That said perhaps there are other Catholics besides Roman Catholics.

I do know it has been a thing that has been asked for by some petitioning of the pope.


Military chaplain and canonical chaplain arent the same. She's not a priest in the churches eyes.

But shes a practicing catholic and served the role of a chaplain in the military


Is she under some sort of "irregular" Catholic entity? Did she fall under the Diocese for the Military Services, or some other denomination?
History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which Trump is always right.

Modern life is one steep, perpetual tax on the mathematically impaired
6/10/2026 11:31:09 AM EDT
[#12]
As for the OP, it's important to distinguish two different roles for Chaplains. On one hand, they are staff officers with specific responsibilities to advise commanders in religious matters and facilitate religious accommodation to the personnel in their unit. On the other hand, they provide specific religious services in line with their faith tradition.

This latter role is broader than their unit of assignment, and is more of an "area support" versus direct support concept.

If there is one Squadron or Battalion with a Catholic Chaplain, the overall Chaplain for the base or facility or geographical region (who could be of any faith) will see to it that the Catholic Chaplain has a place to conduct masses, confessions, etc. for everyone in that broader area.
History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which Trump is always right.

Modern life is one steep, perpetual tax on the mathematically impaired
6/10/2026 12:51:22 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote History
Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver:


Military chaplain and canonical chaplain arent the same. She's not a priest in the churches eyes.

But shes a practicing catholic and served the role of a chaplain in the military
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Quote History
Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver:
Originally Posted By SteelonSteel:



I’m a typical Catholic, that is non practicing, but I have never heard of a female Catholic priest.   Perhaps something has changed?  It wasn’t allowed in the Roman Catholic realm.   That said perhaps there are other Catholics besides Roman Catholics.

I do know it has been a thing that has been asked for by some petitioning of the pope.


Military chaplain and canonical chaplain arent the same. She's not a priest in the churches eyes.

But shes a practicing catholic and served the role of a chaplain in the military

I'm pretty sure you have to be an ordained member of the clergy to be a military chaplain.
an event "of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution,"
6/10/2026 1:50:41 PM EDT
[Last Edit: FoxValleyTacDriver][Edited] [#14]
Originally Posted By Brundoggie:

I'm pretty sure you have to be an ordained member of the clergy to be a military chaplain.
View Quote


I guess I dont know the specifics of that. Perhaps you can be ordained as non denominational? I'll have to ask her.

She is a practicing catholic and was a chaplain for over 20 years in the air force. She got around it somehow.
6/10/2026 2:11:53 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote History
Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver:


I guess I dont know the specifics of that. Perhaps you can be ordained as non denominational? I'll have to ask her.

She is a practicing catholic and was a chaplain for over 20 years in the air force. She got around it somehow.
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Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver:
Originally Posted By Brundoggie:

I'm pretty sure you have to be an ordained member of the clergy to be a military chaplain.


I guess I dont know the specifics of that. Perhaps you can be ordained as non denominational? I'll have to ask her.

She is a practicing catholic and was a chaplain for over 20 years in the air force. She got around it somehow.


Maybe some odd arrangement where she converted while on active duty, and her old denomination was willing to continue to sponsor her... or the Air Force was willing to let her stay on?
History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which Trump is always right.

Modern life is one steep, perpetual tax on the mathematically impaired
6/10/2026 2:32:05 PM EDT
[#16]
Originally Posted By Bohr_Adam:


Maybe some odd arrangement where she converted while on active duty, and her old denomination was willing to continue to sponsor her... or the Air Force was willing to let her stay on?
View Quote


I sent her a text to see. I'm thinking she maybe got sponsored by a non denominational Christian group.
6/15/2026 3:23:41 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Mach][Edited] [#17]
nevermind
Mach
Nobody is coming to save us.

.
6/15/2026 3:39:36 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote History
Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver:


I sent her a text to see. I'm thinking she maybe got sponsored by a non denominational Christian group.
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Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver:
Originally Posted By Bohr_Adam:


Maybe some odd arrangement where she converted while on active duty, and her old denomination was willing to continue to sponsor her... or the Air Force was willing to let her stay on?


I sent her a text to see. I'm thinking she maybe got sponsored by a non denominational Christian group.


Anything back yet?
History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which Trump is always right.

Modern life is one steep, perpetual tax on the mathematically impaired
6/24/2026 9:19:32 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Mach:
My future wife's parish preist refused to marry us unless we did like 60 hours of pre-cana.  I explained to him I was active duty mil and would not be back until the wedding. He said he would marry us if I got a letter from my RC military chaplan stating that we did 60 hours of pre-cana . We were living togeher off base, but he didn't know that, just that she was also in the base area living.

So I found a RC chaplan, luckily we had one, we made an appointment. He asked what it was about and I explained the situation to him and he took out a piece of paper and wrote the letter stating we had 60 hours worth of pre-cana and told me to wait at least 2 months to mail it or it would look fake.

One priest lying to another, you gotta love it.
View Quote

He helped you out and you call him a liar.
"Do not overthink it, gentlemen. It's only a gunfight, not an IRS tax audit." - Louis Awerbuck
6/24/2026 10:05:59 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Bohr_Adam:


Anything back yet?
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Quote History
Originally Posted By Bohr_Adam:
Originally Posted By FoxValleyTacDriver:
Originally Posted By Bohr_Adam:


Maybe some odd arrangement where she converted while on active duty, and her old denomination was willing to continue to sponsor her... or the Air Force was willing to let her stay on?


I sent her a text to see. I'm thinking she maybe got sponsored by a non denominational Christian group.


Anything back yet?


Inquiring minds still want to know.

History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which Trump is always right.

Modern life is one steep, perpetual tax on the mathematically impaired
6/24/2026 11:10:53 PM EDT
[#21]
How did this end up in the Do It Yourself section?
6/26/2026 11:18:59 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote History
Originally Posted By abnk:

He helped you out and you call him a liar.
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Originally Posted By abnk:
Originally Posted By Mach:
My future wife's parish preist refused to marry us unless we did like 60 hours of pre-cana.  I explained to him I was active duty mil and would not be back until the wedding. He said he would marry us if I got a letter from my RC military chaplan stating that we did 60 hours of pre-cana . We were living togeher off base, but he didn't know that, just that she was also in the base area living.

So I found a RC chaplan, luckily we had one, we made an appointment. He asked what it was about and I explained the situation to him and he took out a piece of paper and wrote the letter stating we had 60 hours worth of pre-cana and told me to wait at least 2 months to mail it or it would look fake.

One priest lying to another, you gotta love it.

He helped you out and you call him a liar.
He did help us out. He was great.

So what do you call writing a false letter?
Mach
Nobody is coming to save us.

.
6/26/2026 11:34:17 PM EDT
[#23]
All except one, I knew were odd, probably end up in jail, for CP
Wife: " Let me know when I have to post the orange diamond #4 signs on the house."

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