56A Career Guide
56A: Chaplain
Career transition guide for Army Chaplain (56A)
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Top civilian roles for 56A veterans, with average salary and market demand data.
Clergy Member
Pastoral Counselor
Skills to develop:
Nonprofit Program Director
Skills to develop:
Human Resources Manager
Skills to develop:
Mediation Specialist
Skills to develop:
Salary estimates from VWC career data
Hidden Strengths
Cognitive skills your 56A training built — and where they transfer.
Situational Awareness
Chaplains constantly assess the spiritual and emotional climate within their units, understanding the impact of morale, stress, and trauma on soldiers and their families.
This translates to a strong ability to read social cues, understand group dynamics, and anticipate potential conflicts or needs within a civilian organization.
Rapid Prioritization
Chaplains often face competing demands for their time and attention, from counseling individuals in crisis to advising command on ethical matters, requiring them to quickly assess and address the most pressing needs.
This demonstrates the ability to manage multiple responsibilities under pressure, effectively allocate resources, and make sound judgments in time-sensitive situations.
Resource Optimization
Chaplains are responsible for managing religious programs and resources effectively, ensuring they meet the diverse spiritual needs of the military community within budgetary constraints.
This translates to skills in budget management, program development, and resource allocation, ensuring maximum impact with limited resources.
Team Synchronization
Chaplains work closely with other members of the command staff, as well as religious leaders and volunteers, to coordinate and deliver religious services and support programs.
This showcases the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, build consensus, and coordinate efforts to achieve common goals.
Non-Obvious Career Matches
Mediator
SOC 29-1181.00You've been a trusted confidant and advisor, skilled at navigating sensitive situations and finding common ground between differing perspectives. This makes you an ideal mediator, helping parties resolve disputes and reach mutually agreeable solutions.
Human Resources Manager
SOC 11-3121.00You've developed a deep understanding of human behavior and the impact of organizational culture on individuals. As an HR manager, you can use these skills to create a supportive and inclusive workplace that fosters employee well-being and productivity.
Nonprofit Program Director
SOC 11-9199.00You've coordinated and directed comprehensive programs to support individuals and communities. You're prepared to lead a nonprofit organization, developing and implementing programs that address critical social needs and improve people's lives.
Training & Education Equivalencies
Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course (CBOLC), Fort Jackson
Topics Covered
- •Religious Support Operations
- •Pastoral Counseling
- •Crisis Intervention
- •Religious Accommodation
- •Ethics and the Military Chaplain
- •Army Leadership
- •Staff Planning
- •Religious Education
Certification Pathways
Partial Coverage
May need to demonstrate specific clinical pastoral education (CPE) hours and denominational endorsement requirements.
Specific requirements may vary depending on the religious organization or denomination offering the certification; further coursework in religious education principles may be required.
Recommended Next Certifications
Technical Systems Translation
Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) | Human Resources Management Systems (HRMS) with personnel database management |
| Army Knowledge Online (AKO) | SharePoint, Confluence or other enterprise collaboration platforms |
| Tactical communication systems (e.g., tactical radios) | Two-way radios, satellite phones, or other emergency communication systems |
| Microsoft Office Suite (common to most military roles) | Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, or similar office productivity software |
| DoD Common Access Card (CAC) | Multi-factor authentication systems, smart cards, or building access control systems |
| Automated Funds Management (AFM) | Financial accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero) or non-profit fund management systems |
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