What is a CCPO?

Two posts within one week? I am on a roll. Sadly, I cannot take the credit for writing this one. Now that others know the decisions Emily and I have made to pursue Chaplaincy within the Navy, many people have begun to ask questions. The main one I have been hearing is, "So your accepted as a CCPO, what does that mean?"

I will let Chaplain Diana Meehan explain. The following is taken from a discussion on the US Navy Chaplain Facebook page:

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CHAPLAIN CANDIDATE PROGRAM OFFICER PROGRAM

The CCPO program is not an end in itself, but a means to become a Navy Chaplain.  

Your goal is to:

• receive a post-baccalaureate graduate degree in the field of theological or related studies from a qualifying educational institution. A qualifying degree program will require no less than 72 semester hours of graduate-level work.
• fulfill respective faith group ecclesiastical endorsement requirements needed to supersede as an inactive reserve or active duty Chaplain.
• supersede from officer designator 1945 to officer designator 4100 (ACTIVE DUTY)/ or 4105 (RESERVES) upon completing ecclesiastical endorsement requirements.

CCPOs are not Chaplains. Navy instructions make this differentiation.

Chaplain Candidates are direct commission officers who are training for Chaplaincy. Chaplain Candidates are considered Individual Ready Reservists (IRR).

CCPOs are not subject to mobilization and cannot be called to active duty in times of national emergency. The officer designator of 1945 identifies one as a CCPO. Upon a superseding appointment to either the inactive reserves or active duty, this designator will change to 4100/ or 4105.

CCPOs are eligible for promotion in the same manner as other Naval Reserve officers. However, Chaplain Candidates remain in a training status until they supersede or are discharged.

How CCPOs are Addressed :

The proper address of CCPOs is either "Chaplain Candidate" or by rank. A Chaplain Candidate may not be addressed as "Chaplain."

What to Expect as a Chaplain Candidate:

FIRST YEAR: 5 weeks at Officer Development School , 1 week at Navy Chaplain School, 2 weeks of On the Job Training

SECOND YEAR: 4 weeks Navy Chaplain School, OJT.

THIRD YEAR: 3 weeks Navy Chaplain School (AMEX/TEAMS) and OJT.

The Goal: Supersede
Once you have completed all educational and faith group requirements for endorsement, you will want to apply to supersede [for active or reserve duty].

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So, as of right now, Emily and I are not moving anywhere. Acceptance into the CCPO program simply means that I will be gone for about a month every summer until I complete my M.Div.