POINT LOOKOUT, MO — College of the Ozarks will add a new academic offering for the new semester. Students can now enter chaplain candidacy upon graduation through pursuing a major in biblical and theological studies and a minor in military chaplain studies.
The program is a subset of the existing Missouri National Guard’s Guard Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) Program, known on the C of O campus as the Bobcat GOLD Program. This program allows eligible students to graduate as commissioned Army officers, with follow-on service in the Missouri Army National Guard. Chaplain prospects train with regular GOLD Program Candidates, receiving the same educational benefits but obtaining unique preparation in military ministry.
“Previously, C of O students wishing to become an Army chaplain were required to commission as an officer into one of the Army’s basic branches, complete their initial officer training in that branch, apply for admission into seminary and then apply for a branch transfer to the Chaplain Candidate Corps, a lengthy and arduous path,” said Brig. Gen. James Schreffler, vice president for patriotic programs. “Now, C of O students in the new Chaplain Candidate Program who have completed all other academic and military training requirements are eligible for early acceptance into a consortium of participating graduate seminaries during their senior year, allowing for the opportunity to commission as a second lieutenant into the Chaplain Candidate Corps upon graduation from College of the Ozarks.”
After graduation, they will continue their training and education through Army courses and seminary classes as a chaplain candidate. Once they have completed all graduate level education and met the Army requirements, they will be eligible to serve as regular chaplains.
The Chaplain Candidate Program provides students with a direct career pathway to answering the call for God and country. The program combines the Schools Patriotic and Christian pillars by bringing together faith and leadership so students can enter military ministry equipped to serve.
For more information on the military chaplain studies minor please visit: https://tinyurl.com/4r93ku2p or contact the C of O Military Science Department at (417) 690-2586.