Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 1304.19
June 11, 2004
Certified Current as of April 23, 2007
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Appointment of Chaplains for the Military Departments
References: (a) DoD Directive 1304.19, "Appointment of Chaplains for the Military Services,"
September 18, 1993 (hereby canceled)
(b) DoD Directive 1332.31, "Administrative Separation of Chaplains Upon Loss of
Professional Qualifications," October 16, 1981 (hereby canceled)
(c) DoD Instruction 1330.7, "Visits of Civilian Religious Leaders to Military
Installations in Overseas Areas," April 26, 1974 (hereby canceled)
(d) DoD Instruction 1304.28, "Guidance for the Appointment of Chaplains for the
Military Departments," June 11, 2004
(e) DoD Directive 5100.73, "Support of Headquarters of Combatant and
Subordinate Joint Commands," November 15, 1999
1. REISSUANCE AND PURPOSE
This Directive:
1.1. Reissues reference (a) to update policy and responsibilities.
1.2. Cancels references (b) and (c).
1.3. Continues the educational and ecclesiastical requirements for appointing military
chaplains.
2. APPLICABILITY
This Directive applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments,
(including the Coast Guard when it is operating as a Military Service in the Navy), the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field
Activities (hereafter referred to collectively as "the DoD Components"). The term "Military
Departments," as used herein, refers to the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy,
