:: Alert :: Chaplain policy is contained in the MAAF chaplain outreach program
Chaplains in government service should serve the needs of all service members. They should help service members to grow in their personal values and to connect with a supportive community of like-minded individuals. Chaplains should protect the beliefs of all service members and ensure that there is no actual or perceived discrimination within the command based on service members’ beliefs. MAAF also intends for this policy to reconcile chaplains with nontheistic service members or commanders who may have a negative view of the chaplaincy.
In order to do this, chaplains must have sufficient training and experience to provide service to all military personnel. The ability to run worship services for one faith group is a skill chaplains must focus on one group, but their ability to counsel, provide for all beliefs, and to advise the command on religious accommodation and morale issues involves training far beyond what normally they bring from their seminary or religious training. This task starts by opening communication between chaplains, MAAF, and the many nontheist organizations that are ready to support service members.