Joint Publication 1-05 Religious Affairs in Joint Operations

Joint Publication 1-05

Religious Affairs in Joint
Operations

20 November 2013

PREFACE
1. Scope
This publication provides doctrine for religious affairs in joint operations. It also
provides information on the chaplain’s roles as the principal advisor to the joint force
commander (JFC) on religious affairs and a key advisor on the impact of religion on military
operations. It further provides information on the chaplain’s role of delivering and
facilitating religious ministries in joint operations.
2. Purpose
This publication has been prepared under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). It sets forth joint doctrine to govern the activities and performance
of the Armed Forces of the United States in joint operations and provides the doctrinal basis
for US military coordination with other US Government departments and agencies during
operations and for US military involvement in multinational operations. It provides military
guidance for the exercise of authority by combatant commanders and other JFCs and
prescribes joint doctrine for operations, education, and training. It provides military
guidance for use by the Armed Forces in preparing their appropriate plans. It is not the
intent of this publication to restrict the authority of the JFC from organizing the force and
executing the mission in a manner the JFC deems most appropriate to ensure unity of effort
in the accomplishment of the overall objective.
3. Application
a. Joint doctrine established in this publication applies to the Joint Staff, commanders of
combatant commands, subunified commands, joint task forces, subordinate components of
these commands, the Services, and combat support agencies.
b. The guidance in this publication is authoritative; as such, this doctrine will be
followed except when, in the judgment of the commander, exceptional circumstances dictate
otherwise. If conflicts arise between the contents of this publication and the contents of
Service publications, this publication will take precedence unless the CJCS, normally in
coordination with the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has provided more current
and specific guidance. Commanders of forces operating as part of a multinational (alliance

i

Preface
or coalition) military command should follow multinational doctrine and procedures ratified
by the United States. For doctrine and procedures not ratified by the United States,
commanders should evaluate and follow the multinational command’s doctrine and
procedures, where applicable and consistent with US law, regulations, and doctrine.
For the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

DAVID L. GOLDFEIN, Lt Gen, USAF
Director, Joint Staff

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JP 1-05

SUMMARY OF CHANGES
REVISION OF JOINT PUBLICATION 1-05
DATED 13 NOVEMBER 2009
•

Clarifies the chaplain’s advisement role in the targeting process to ensure the
focus is on the ethical, moral, and religious dimensions.

•

Expands the definition of religious advisement to include the potential impact of
military operations on the religious and humanitarian dynamics in the
operational area.

•

Revises guidance regarding religious support during defense support of civil
authorities operations.

•

Expands the functions of chaplains supporting geographic combatant
commands.

•

Clarifies guidance for religious support and advisement during detainee
operations.

•

Clarifies guidance regarding chaplains maintaining confidentiality of
communications when providing ministry to non-US Armed Forces personnel.

•

Removes all references to the former United States Joint Forces Command and
transfers responsibility for religious affairs functions to the joint staff chaplain.

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Summary of Changes

Intentionally Blank

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JP 1-05

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................. vii
CHAPTER I
BASIS OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS





Introduction ................................................................................................................. I-1
Authorities................................................................................................................... I-1
The Noncombatant Status of the Chaplain ................................................................. I-2
The Combatant Status of Enlisted Religious Support Personnel ................................ I-2

CHAPTER II
FUNDAMENTALS, RELATIONSHIPS, AND DUTIES








Fundamentals .............................................................................................................II-1
Functional Descriptions .............................................................................................II-2
Service, Inter-Service, and Joint Relationships .........................................................II-3
Functions ....................................................................................................................II-7
Religious Affairs Throughout Levels of War ............................................................II-9
Enlisted Religious Support Personnel Roles and Responsibilities ..........................II-11
Religious Affairs in Interorganizational Coordination ............................................II-12

CHAPTER III
THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS IN JOINT OPERATIONS



Religious Support Team Participation in Military Engagement .............................. III-1
Chaplain Liaison in Support of Military Engagement ............................................. III-4

APPENDIX
A
B
C

Religious Estimate..................................................................................... A-1
References ..................................................................................................B-1
Administrative Instructions ........................................................................C-1

GLOSSARY
Part I
Part II

Abbreviations and Acronyms .................................................................. GL-1
Terms and Definitions ............................................................................. GL-3

FIGURE
II-1
II-2
II-3

Religious Affairs ........................................................................................II-1
Tasks of Joint Force Chaplains ..................................................................II-8
Religious Support Teams Integrated into Levels of War .........................II-10

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Table of Contents

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
COMMANDER’S OVERVIEW
•

Presents the basics of religious affairs, the authorities for chaplains,
noncombatant status of the chaplain, and combatant status of enlisted religious
support personnel.

•

Describes the fundamentals, relationships, and duties involved in religious
affairs.

•

Addresses the roles of religious affairs in joint operations; to include chaplain
liaison in support of military engagement.
Basis of Religious Affairs

US military chaplains
represent specific religious
organizations and work
together within the
pluralistic context of the
military to ensure freedom
of religion within the joint
force.

The Services maintain chaplaincies to accommodate
religious needs, to provide religious and pastoral care, and
to advise commanders on the complexities of religion
with regard to its personnel and mission, as appropriate.
As military members, chaplains are uniquely positioned to
assist Service members, their families, and other
authorized personnel with the challenges of military
service as advocates of religious, moral, and spiritual well
being and resiliency.

Authorities

Title 10, United States Code (USC), Sections 3073, 5142,
and 8067, provides for the appointment of officers as
chaplains in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Navy
directs its Chaplain Corps to provide chaplains for the
Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, and the Merchant
Marine. Chaplains have rank without command (Title 10,
USC, Sections 3581, and 8581), and function in the dual
roles of religious leader and staff officer. Department of
Defense Instruction 1300.17, Accommodation of
Religious Practices within the Military Services, describes
the commander’s responsibility for religious
accommodation.

Military commanders are
responsible to provide for
the free exercise of religion
of those under their
authority as directed by
Joint Publication 1,
Doctrine for the Armed
Forces of the United States.

The Noncombatant Status
of the Chaplain

Article 24 of Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of
the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces
in the Field (sometimes referred to as Geneva Convention
I) identifies chaplains as protected personnel in their
function and capacity as ministers of religion. Service
regulations further prohibit chaplains from bearing arms
and classify chaplains as noncombatants.

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Executive Summary
The Combatant Status of
Enlisted Religious Support
(RS) Personnel

Enlisted religious support (RS) personnel, Army or Air
Force chaplain assistants (CAs), and Navy religious
program specialists (RPs) are combatants and, therefore,
are without special protected status.

Fundamentals, Relationships, and Duties
Fundamentals

Religious affairs consist of the combination of RS and
religious advisement. Throughout planning and execution
commanders and their staffs consider the possible impact
of religion throughout the operational area and area of
influence. Chaplains and enlisted RS personnel assist the
combatant commander and subordinate joint force
commanders (JFCs) by enabling the expression of faith or
religious practice for all assigned personnel. As a special
staff officer, the chaplain advises the commander and
other staff members on moral and ethical decision
making, on morale as affected by religion, and personal
issues.

Functional Descriptions

Chaplains execute the commander’s religious affairs
program through religious advisement and providing RS.
Religious advisement is the practice of informing the
commander on the impact of religion on joint operations.
RS includes:

Religious support teams
(RSTs), comprised of
chaplains and their enlisted
RS personnel, strengthen
community life by
delivering training and
education to Service
members and other
authorized personnel.

Service, Inter-Service, and
Joint Relationships

viii

 The provision and facilitation of religious worship,
pastoral counseling, and Department of Defense
support to accommodate the free exercise of religion
for all authorized personnel.
 Advising the JFC on ethical and moral issues, and
morale, as affected by religion.
 Pastoral care, counseling, and coaching which attend
to personal and relational needs.
The Chiefs of Chaplains of the Military Departments
ensure active duty and reserve component chaplains and
enlisted RS personnel are trained and equipped to provide
RS when required, in support of combatant command
(CCMD) requirements. The Director, National Guard
Bureau Office of the Chaplain (NGB-OC), directs,
oversees, develops, and implements activities of the
NGB-OC for the Chief, National Guard Bureau. The
Joint Staff (JS) Chaplain advises the Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff and the JS, and assists the CCMD
chaplains. A joint force chaplain (JFCH) position is

JP 1-05

Executive Summary
established at the CCMD, the subordinate unified
command, and joint task force (JTF) level of command.
The JFCH is the principal advisor to a commander on
religious affairs. The JTF chaplain is the principal
advisor to the commander on RS and is a key staff
contributor on religious advisement. Service and
functional component command chaplains are
responsible for coordinating with the CCMD chaplain and
delivering RS to personnel assigned or attached to the
component command. Service component command
chaplains advise the Service component commander on
issues that are Service specific.
Functions

JFCH functions may include:
 Advising the JFC and staff on all matters of religion,
ethical and moral issues, spiritual well-being, and
morale, as affected by religion;
 Supervising assigned staff in order to communicate
command religious priorities, assess and direct
religious affairs activities, answer specific religious
inquiries, facilitate unity of effort, and enhance lines of
communication and situational awareness;
 Preparing RS portions of plans and annexes and
participating in identifying religious affairs
requirements during crisis action planning; and,
 Seeking opportunities to train religious support teams
(RSTs) in related tasks identified.

Religious Affairs
Throughout Levels of War

The JFCH is responsible for coordinating religious affairs
and the employment of RSTs as necessary to accomplish
the assigned mission. Religious affairs requirements vary
at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of war.

Enlisted RS Personnel
Roles and Responsibilities

The Army or Air Force CA or the Navy RP provides
enlisted support to the chaplain. The RS senior enlisted
leader (SEL) is the principal enlisted advisor to the
command chaplain. Services train their respective CA/RP
to work directly within their Service chaplaincy
prerogatives. The skills vary by Service and mission set.
The JFCH and RS SEL understand the service-connected
tasks and structure the delivery of RS to maximize the
differences into a cohesive, seamless program of support.

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Executive Summary
Religious Affairs in
Interorganizational
Coordination

When directed by the commander, the JFCH establishes
relationships with organizations in order to enhance
capabilities. A JFCH’s responsibilities to coordinate
religious affairs for issues and activities for a JFC with
multinationals might be expanded based on multinational
agreements.

The Roles of Religious Affairs in Joint Operations
RST Participation in
Military Engagement

Religious affairs in joint military operations will require a
variety of actions supporting different types and phases of
operations. Types of operations supported include:
noncombat operations; combat operations; peace
operations; stability operations; foreign humanitarian
assistance; noncombatant evacuation operations; detainee
operations; personnel recovery; mortuary affairs; and
homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities.

Chaplain Liaison in
Support of Military
Engagement

Chaplain liaison in support of military engagement is any
command-directed contact or interaction where the
chaplain, as the command’s religious representative,
meets with a leader on matters of religion to ameliorate
suffering and to promote peace and the benevolent
expression of religion. It is a focused and narrow role that
addresses religion in human activity without employing
religion to achieve a military advantage. Chaplains
involved in chaplain liaison maintain dialogue with
indigenous
religious
leaders,
communities,
nongovernmental organizations, intergovernmental
organizations, and other actors as directed by the
commander.
CONCLUSION
This publication provides doctrine for religious affairs in
joint operations. It also provides information on the
chaplain’s roles as the principal advisor to the JFC on
religious affairs and a key advisor on the impact of
religion on military operations. It further provides
information on the chaplain’s role of delivering and
facilitating religious ministries in joint operations.

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CHAPTER I
BASIS OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS

“Religious affairs are the commander’s responsibility and consist of the combination of
religious support and religious advisement. Religious support addresses the joint
commander’s responsibilities to support the free exercise of religion by members of the
joint force.…Religious advisement addresses the commander’s requirement to receive
germane subject matter advice on the impact of religion on operations.”
Joint Publication 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States, 2013

1. Introduction
a. Chaplains served with American forces in the colonial militias of the 1600s and have
remained an integral part of the US military since the formation of the Continental Army and
Navy in 1775. US military chaplains are a unique manifestation of the nation’s commitment
to the values of freedom of conscience and free exercise of religion proclaimed in her
founding documents. US military chaplains represent specific religious organizations and
work together within the pluralistic context of the military to ensure freedom of religion
within the joint force.
b. The Services maintain chaplaincies to accommodate religious needs, to provide
religious and pastoral care, and to advise commanders on the complexities of religion with
regard to its personnel and mission, as appropriate. As military members, chaplains are
uniquely positioned to assist Service members, their families, and other authorized personnel
with the challenges of military service as advocates of religious, moral, and spiritual wellbeing and resiliency. Uniformed chaplaincies are essential in fulfilling the government’s,
and especially the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s), responsibilities to all members of the
Armed Forces of the United States.
2. Authorities
a. The US Constitution, law, and policy support the free exercise of religion. For
example, Title 10, United States Code (USC), Sections 3073, 5142, and 8067, provide for the
appointment of officers as chaplains in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Navy directs its
Chaplain Corps to provide chaplains for the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, and the
Merchant Marine. Chaplains have rank without command (Title 10, USC, Sections 3581 and
8581), and function in the dual roles of religious leader and staff officer. Department of
Defense Instruction (DODI) 1300.17, Accommodation of Religious Practices within the
Military Services, describes the commander’s responsibility for religious accommodation.
b. Military commanders are responsible to provide for the free exercise of religion of
those under their authority as directed by Joint Publication (JP) 1, Doctrine for the Armed
Forces of the United States. Religious support (RS) to the personnel of each Service is the
responsibility of their Service component commander with the joint force commander (JFC)
providing guidance and oversight. Department of Defense Directive (DODD) 1304.19,
Appointment of Chaplains for the Military Departments, establishes DOD policy that
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Chapter I
requires the Services to appoint chaplains to support commanders. It states, in part, that
chaplains shall “serve as the principal advisor to commanders for all issues regarding the
impact of religion on military operations.” DODI 5100.73, Major Department of Defense
Headquarters Activities, directs that all major headquarters (HQ), including joint HQ,
provide for the management of religious affairs within the organization.
3. The Noncombatant Status of the Chaplain
Article 24 of Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded
and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field (sometimes referred to as Geneva Convention I)
identifies chaplains as protected personnel in their function and capacity as ministers of
religion. Service regulations further prohibit chaplains from bearing arms and classify
chaplains as noncombatants. As noncombatants, chaplains must not engage directly or
indirectly in combatant duties; will not conduct activities that compromise their
noncombatant status; must not function as intelligence collectors or propose combat target
selection; and will not advise on including or excluding specific structures on the no-strike
list or target list. Advisement will focus on the ethical, moral, and religious dimensions of
the targeting process. Consistent with their noncombatant status, chaplains participate in
operation planning and advise the command and staff on matters as appropriate; advise on
the religious and humanitarian status of the command’s operational environment (unless
restricted by the law of war); provide input as to what constitutes religious structures or
monuments of antiquity in a particular operational area; and, when authorized and directed
by the commander, serve as a point of contact and liaison for local civilian and military
leaders, institutions, and organizations, to the extent that those contacts relate to the religious
or humanitarian purposes approved by the commander. See Articles 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 24,
28, and 47 of the Geneva Convention (I) for more information regarding treatment of
chaplains in the context of the Convention.
4. The Combatant Status of Enlisted Religious Support Personnel
Enlisted RS personnel, Army or Air Force chaplain assistants (CAs), and Navy religious
program specialists (RPs) are combatants and, therefore, are without special protected status.
They are trained to use lethal force effectively and appropriately. Service doctrine defines
their role as combatants. Additionally, the chaplain must be attuned to the issue of
supervision of the enlisted support personnel to ensure their employment does not jeopardize
the chaplain’s protected status.

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JP 1-05

CHAPTER II
FUNDAMENTALS, RELATIONSHIPS, AND DUTIES

“The US Constitution proscribes Congress from enacting any law prohibiting the
free exercise of religion. The Department of Defense places a high value on the
rights of members of the Military Services to observe the tenets of their respective
religions.”
Department of Defense Instruction 1300.17,
Accommodation of Religious Practices within the Military Services

1. Fundamentals
a. Religious affairs are the commander’s responsibility (see Figure II-1). Religious
affairs consist of the combination of RS and religious advisement. The management of
religious affairs requires fully informed and committed command support, communication,
coordination, and collaboration. It is a mutual effort to create and sustain the most
responsive and relevant service possible. It is built upon mutual respect and partnership
from the combatant command (CCMD) and the Service component commands to the lowest
level.
b. Throughout planning and execution commanders and their staffs consider the
possible impact of religion throughout the operational area and area of influence. Religious
beliefs and practices not only influence the adversary, they influence civilians and their

Religious Affairs
Chaplains Provide:
Religious Advisement

Religious Support



Advice on impact of religion on joint
operations.



Advice on impact of military operations
on the religious and humanitarian
dynamics in the operational area.



Advice on worship, rituals, customs,
and practices of US military
personnel, international forces, and
the indigenous population.



Liaison functions with officials of
interagency, nongovernmental and
interorganizational entities,
multinational forces, and local
religious leaders (when directed).



Provision and facilitation of religious
worship and pastoral support for all
authorized personnel.



Advice to the joint force commander
on ethics, morals, and morale.



Pastoral care, counseling, and
coaching that reinforces spiritual
strength and levels of commitment to
increase resiliency of the force.

Figure II-1. Religious Affairs

II-1

Chapter II
societies within the operational area and may even impact the ideology or functioning of the
government.
c. Chaplains and enlisted RS personnel assist the combatant commander (CCDR) and
subordinate JFCs by enabling the expression of faith or religious practice for all assigned
personnel. They also guard against religious discrimination of any kind within the
command. Commanders are responsible for the religious accommodation of joint force
personnel. Chaplains, assisted by enlisted RS personnel, provide for religious worship, rites,
sacraments, ordinances, and ministrations. They also help leaders to implement programs to
support individuals in sustaining optimal well-being and the capacity to carry out the mission
as part of total force fitness.
For additional details on total force fitness, see Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Instruction (CJCSI) 3405.01, Chairman’s Total Force Fitness Framework.
d. As a special staff officer, the chaplain advises the commander and other staff
members on moral and ethical decision making, on morale as affected by religion, and
personal issues (e.g., relational concerns, predeployment and post-deployment family
counseling, and memorial observances). Additionally, based on the particular knowledge
and experience of the individuals, and consistent with their noncombatant status, chaplains
may advise the commander and staff members on various religious dynamics within the
operational area. On occasion, chaplains may also be tasked with accomplishing certain
liaison functions that relate to religious or humanitarian purposes approved by the
commander, particularly with indigenous religious leaders and faith-based nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) operating in the operational area. Commanders should ensure that
such tasks do not create the appearance of favoring a particular religion or compromise a
chaplain’s noncombatant status as described in Chapter 1, “Basis of Religious Affairs,”
paragraph 3, “The Noncombatant Status of the Chaplain.”
2. Functional Descriptions
Religious affairs describe the JFC’s responsibility to understand the role of religion as it
affects the range of military operations and to provide for the free exercise of religion for
authorized personnel. Chaplains execute the commander’s religious affairs program through
religious advisement and providing RS described as follows:
a. Religious advisement is the practice of informing the commander on the impact of
religion on joint operations to include, but not limited to: worship, rituals, protected places,
customs, and practices of US military personnel, international forces, and the indigenous
population; as well as the potential impact of military operations on the religious and
humanitarian dynamics in the operational area. Chaplains provide religious advisement
consistent with their noncombatant status.
For more information, see Appendix A, “Religious Estimate.”
b. RS consists of:

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Fundamentals, Relationships, and Duties
(1) The provision and facilitation of religious worship, pastoral counseling, and
DOD support to accommodate the free exercise of religion for all authorized personnel.
JFCs should be advised that when chaplains provide incidental ministry to non-US Armed
Forces personnel, chaplains are required to preserve confidential communications in the
same way such communications are preserved with US Armed Forces personnel.
(2) Advising the JFC on ethical and moral issues, and morale, as affected by
religion. In the performance of the chaplain’s primary duties of religious accommodation
and pastoral care, the chaplain may offer advice to the commander regarding the chaplain’s
unique perspective and role as a religious ministry professional.
For further information on the qualifications of religious ministry professionals, refer to
DODI 1304.28, Guidance for the Appointment of Chaplains for the Military Departments.
(3) Pastoral care, counseling, and coaching which attend to personal and relational
needs. This includes relational counseling by chaplains which may be enhanced by their
proximity and immediate presence, distinguished by confidential communication, and
imbued with professional wisdom and genuine respect for human beings. Such counseling is
most effective when based on strong relationships developed in the context of shared life in
the same unit. Some examples of care are: work-space visitation, coaching on military life,
pre- and post-deployment training for Service members and their families, crisis prevention
and response, family life programs, memorial observances, and combat casualty care.
Religious support teams (RSTs), comprised of chaplains and their enlisted RS personnel,
strengthen community life by delivering training and education to Service members and
other authorized personnel.
c. An RST is a team comprised of at least one chaplain and one enlisted RS person that
works together in designing, implementing, and executing the command religious program.
The members of an RST may come from the same or different Service components.
3. Service, Inter-Service, and Joint Relationships
a. Military Departments. The Chiefs of Chaplains of the Military Departments
provide advice to the Secretaries of the Military Departments and Service Chiefs as they
carry out their respective Title 10, USC, responsibilities for organizing, training, and
equipping US military forces. Although the Military Departments are not part of the chain of
command for joint US military operations, the Chiefs of Chaplains can provide joint force
chaplains (JFCHs) with significant reachback capabilities and expertise in religious affairs.
The Chiefs of Chaplains ensure active duty and reserve component chaplains and enlisted RS
personnel are trained and equipped to provide RS when required, in support of CCMD
requirements.
b. Armed Forces Chaplains Board (AFCB). The AFCB consists of the chief and
deputy chief of chaplains from each of the military departments. In accordance with DODI
5120.08, Armed Forces Chaplains Board, the AFCB advises the Secretary of Defense
(SecDef) on religious, ethical, and moral matters for the Services. The AFCB also advises
SecDef on the following policy matters: the protection of the free exercise of religion;

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Chapter II
acquisition, professional standards, requirements, training, and assignment of military
chaplains; all RS providers; procurement and utilization of supplies, equipment, and facilities
for religious use; promotion of dialogue with civilian organizations regarding religious
issues; and promotion of joint military endeavors for the delivery of ministry by the Services
throughout DOD whenever practicable.
c. The National Guard (NG) Bureau is a joint activity of DOD. The Director,
National Guard Bureau-Office of the Chaplain (NGB-OC), directs, oversees, develops, and
implements activities of the NGB-OC for the Chief, National Guard Bureau (CNGB). The
Director, NGB-OC, serves as a principal advisor to the Service Chief of Chaplains on
religious matters relating to the NG. NGB-OC supports the CNGB as an advisor to the
CCDRs on NG religious affairs that pertain to the CCMD missions, support planning, and
coordination for activities as requested by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS)
or the CCDRs. NGB-OC is the channel of communications for all religious matters
pertaining to the non-federalized NG among DOD components, the several states, and
territories. The military response to extraordinary events that require defense support of civil
authorities (DSCA) will be a coordinated effort between the NG in state active duty or Title
32, USC, and Title 10 or Title 14, USC, forces. NG RSTs, under the supervision of
commanders and in coordination with the National Guard joint force headquarters-state (NG
JFHQ-State) chaplain, will normally be the first military RSTs on the scene during a
catastrophic incident. The NG JFHQ-State coordinates RS with the NGB-OC. However,
once federalized, RSTs are under the operational control of the JFC and receive guidance
from the JFCH.
d. The Joint Staff (JS) Chaplain advises the CJCS and the JS on, and assists the
CCMD chaplains with, the following:
(1) The constitutional free exercise of religion and related matters impacting DOD,
the JS military personnel, and their families.
(2) The dynamics of religion and potential mission impacts across the range of
military operations.
(3) The integration of RSTs into joint force organizations in order to coordinate
defense-wide RS.
(4) Religious, moral, and ethical issues related to policies, programs, initiatives,
exercises, and operations.
(5) CCMD religious affairs priorities, in coordination and consultation with the
command chaplains of the CCMDs.
(6) Religious aspects of functional policy and joint operations, in coordination with
the Office of the Secretary of Defense through the AFCB and the Service Chiefs of
Chaplains.
(7) Review of all JPs for religious affairs relevancy and accuracy.

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Fundamentals, Relationships, and Duties
(8) Advisement regarding CCMD RS requests for forces (RFFs) and individual
augmentees (IAs) submitted via the Global Force Management process.
(9) Coordination with Service force providers for meeting special, CCMD shortterm RS requirements such as seasonal religious needs.
(10) Support of joint training integration into Service chaplain schools, based on
emergent doctrine and operations.
(11) Coordination of educational opportunities for joint-level RST members.
(12) RST participation in joint exercises worldwide, as appropriate.
(13) The collection, analysis, and organization of joint RS lessons learned for
integration into joint doctrine, training, and education initiatives.
(14) Provision of pastoral care to the JS and the Office of the CJCS.
e. A JFCH position is established at the CCMD, the subordinate unified command, and
joint task force (JTF) level of command. The JFCH is the principal advisor to a commander
on religious affairs. The JFCH is a member of a commander’s personal staff and reports
directly to the commander. The JFC should normally select the senior chaplain from the
joint force to be the JFCH, who may or may not be from the JFC’s own Service. The JFCH
issues coordinating guidance to subordinate component commanders and chaplains under the
authority of the commander to optimize RS within the joint force. Services and Service
components retain authority for managing religious affairs within their forces, subject to the
policy of the CCDR and the coordinating guidance of the JFCH.
f. The functional CCMD chaplain provides advice to the CCDR and staff on religious
affairs specific to the command’s mission. The functional CCMD chaplain is a personal
staff officer, supported by an appropriate staff section of RST personnel, who:
(1) Provides strategic- and operational-level advice and situational awareness for
the CCDR and staff on all matters related to religion, ethics, and morale.
(2) Engages with senior military chaplains, government officials, officials of NGOs
and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and local religious leaders as directed by the
CCDR.
(3) Exercises functional supervision over the administration of RS within the
command.
(4) Reviews available religious affairs capabilities for supporting command
missions, and recommends the allocation of religious resources to prevent or eliminate
unnecessary duplication and overlap of functions among supporting RS assets.
(5) Oversees the collection of religious lessons learned from supporting RSTs and
the distribution of religious lessons learned to joint and Service repositories.

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Chapter II
g. The JFCHs supporting the geographic CCMDs manage RS with both a strategic and
operational emphasis. The role of the geographic CCMD chaplain mirrors that of the JS
chaplain with a specific focus on joint operational issues pertaining to their area of
responsibility (AOR). JFCHs also supervise the RS aspects of the theater security
cooperation programs within their AORs and coordinate the management of RS among
subordinate unified commands, JTFs, and functional and Service components, as approved
by the geographic combatant commander. The geographic CCMD chaplain is a personal
staff officer, supported by an appropriate staff section of RST personnel, who:
(1) Provides strategic- and operational-level advice and situational awareness for
the commander and staff on all matters related to religion, ethical, and moral issues, and
morale, as affected by religion.
(2) Engages with senior military chaplains, local and national religious leaders, and
others, as directed by the CCDR.
(3) Develops, reviews, and revises RS appendices to theater plans, orders, and
directives.
(4) Coordinates and guides components to align with the theater campaign plan and
established corresponding religious affairs goals and objectives.
(5) Builds joint and multinational RST interoperability and capacity through
exercises, training events, and subject matter expert exchanges.
(6) Plans for crisis and contingency response in-theater.
(7) When requested or directed by the commander, assists with the development of
professional chaplaincies in militaries in the AOR in support of building partnership
capacities in the areas of good governance, human dignity, and religious freedom.
(8) Exercises functional supervision over the administration of RS within the
command.
(9) Reviews available religious affairs capabilities for supporting command
missions, and recommends the allocation of religious resources to prevent or eliminate
unnecessary duplication and overlap of functions among supporting RS assets.
(10) Oversees the collection of religious affairs lessons learned from supporting
RSTs and the distribution of those lessons learned to joint and Service repositories.
(11) Coordinates with NGB-OC State Partnership Program leadership for unity of
effort.
h. The JTF is the most common type of joint force command established to accomplish
a specific mission in a geographic area or perform a particular function. The JTF chaplain is
the principal advisor to the commander on RS and is a key staff contributor on religious
advisement. The JTF chaplain is responsible for requesting, coordinating, and providing RS

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Fundamentals, Relationships, and Duties
for the JTF, including coordinating with commanders regarding the employment of RSTs as
necessary to accomplish the assigned mission.
For a more detailed discussion of CCMD, subordinate unified command, and JTF
organizations, responsibilities, and functions, see JP 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the
United States, and JP 3-0, Joint Operations.
i. Service and functional component command chaplains are responsible for
coordinating with the CCMD chaplain and delivering RS to personnel assigned or attached
to the component command.
(1) A functional component is normally, but not necessarily, composed of forces of
two or more Military Departments. Functional components include the joint force air
component commander, joint force land component commander, joint force maritime
component commander, and joint force special operations component commander. A
functional component command chaplain, like a JTF chaplain, is the principal advisor to the
functional component commander on religious affairs. The functional component chaplain
coordinates with the CCMD chaplain.
(2) Service component command chaplains advise the Service component
commander on issues that are Service specific. In addition, the Service component chaplain
coordinates with the CCMD chaplain and appropriate JFCH on all matters that relate to the
component command’s supporting mission.
4. Functions
General. Joint RS requirements are determined and validated in accordance with
existing joint processes. RSTs need to be well-integrated into their staffs and must use
command reporting and tasking procedures. Chaplains must understand the limits of their
tasking authority. Official tasking comes from appropriate command authority. Chaplains
do not normally task subordinate chaplains directly.
a. Figure II-2 shows conceptually how the chaplain’s tasks differ in a joint environment
in relationship to the echelon the chaplain is serving. The more senior a chaplain, the more
the chaplain functions as a staff officer and functional manager of religious affairs for the
JFC, rather than as a direct provider of RS.
b. The JFCH assists the JFC in addressing the ambiguity and uncertainty of religious
affairs in a complex operational environment. Thus, the JFCH assists in planning as it
applies to the integration of religious affairs in joint operations. Religious affairs planning is
based on the situation and is detailed, systematic, and continuous.
c. JFCH Functions
(1) Advise. The JFCH advises the JFC and staff on all matters of religion, ethical
and moral issues, spiritual well-being, and morale, as affected by religion. Consistent with
their noncombatant status, chaplains also advise the JFC and staff on matters pertaining to
the ethical/moral implications of command plans, policies, operations, and strategies to
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Chapter II

Tasks of Joint Force Chaplains

Advising Command Regarding Religion
and Religious Support

Tasks

Direct Religious Support to Personnel

Tactical

Operational

Strategic

Echelons
Figure II-2. Tasks of Joint Force Chaplains

include advice on the impact of operations on religious and humanitarian dynamics in the
operational area. The JFCH advises subordinate JTF RSTs on the conduct of religious
affairs.
For more information, see Appendix A, “Religious Estimate.”
(2) Supervise. The JFCH supervises assigned staff in order to communicate
command religious priorities, assess and direct religious affairs activities, answer specific
religious inquiries, facilitate unity of effort, and enhance lines of communication and
situational awareness. The JFCH also provides functional oversight and guidance to
subordinate JTF RSTs.
(3) Plan. The JFCH prepares RS portions of plans and annexes and participates in
identifying religious affairs requirements during crisis action planning. The JFCH ensures
that required RS capabilities are identified and included in the command RFFs and request
for IAs.
(4) Train. The JFCH seeks opportunities to train RSTs in related tasks identified
in Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual (CJCSM) 3500.04, Universal Joint Task
Manual and amplified in the Joint Mission-Essential Task List. (See Field Manual [FM] 715, Army Universal Task List; Air Force Doctrine Directive 1-1, Air Force Task List; Chief
of Naval Operations Instruction 3500.38; Marine Corps Order 3500.26; and US Coast Guard
Commandant Instruction 3500.1B, Universal Naval Task List.)

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Fundamentals, Relationships, and Duties
(5) Resource. The JFCH identifies RS materiel, force structure, and facilities
requirements. The JFCH plans chaplaincy force structure to meet force deployment
requirements, special religious holidays, and sacramental duties; the JFCH integrates these
RS forces requirements in the CCDR’s RFFs. The JFCH coordinates with appropriate legal
agencies to develop responsive methods to receive and acknowledge private donations,
mailings, and unique religious articles. The JFCH recommends command policy for the
decommissioning of sensitive religious articles, clothing, chapels, and the return of such
items to the sustainment base.
5. Religious Affairs Throughout Levels of War
The JFCH is responsible for coordinating religious affairs and the employment of RSTs
as necessary to accomplish the assigned mission. Religious affairs requirements vary at the
tactical, operational, and strategic levels of war (see Figure II-3). Decisions made and
actions executed at one level can impact others.
a. Examples of responsibilities at the strategic level include:
(1) Advising the CCDR on religious affairs affecting the command.
(2) Coordinating the provision of RS with JS, Service, JTF, and multinational force
command chaplains as appropriate.
(3) Engaging with senior military leadership, government officials, NGO and IGO
officials, and national religious officials as directed by the commander and consistent with
the chaplain’s noncombatant status. Commanders should ensure that such tasks do not create
the appearance of favoring a particular religion.
(4) Advising partner nation chaplains and senior military leadership on the
development of their professional chaplaincies, as requested by chaplains of partner nations,
in coordination with NGB-OC, and, as approved by the JFC.
(5) Preparing appropriate portions of theater plans, orders, and directives.
(6) Developing and recommending strategic command policy regarding religious
issues.
b. Examples of operational-level responsibilities include:
(1) Advising the JFC on religious affairs affecting the operational area.
(2) Coordinating the provision of RS with higher, adjacent, and subordinate HQ
command chaplains.
(3) Executing regional chaplain liaison initiatives in coordination with the CCMD
chaplain and at the direction of the commander.

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Chapter II

Religious Support Teams Integrated into Levels of War
Level

Unit

Involves

Area

Universal Joint
Task List

Strategic
National

Joint Staff

National policy
development and
national governmentto-government
interactions.

World

SN 4.3.2
Coordinate religious
affairs.

Strategic
Theater

Combatant
Command

Regional military
strategy, derived from
policy that provides a
framework for
conducting
operations.

Area of
Responsibility

ST 4.2.5
Coordinate religious
support.

Operational

Component

List the tactical
Joint
employment of forces Operations
to national and
Area
military strategic
objectives through the
design and conduct of
operations using
operational art.

OP 4.4.6
Integrate religious
support.

Tactical

Division,
Brigade,
Combat
Team,
Regiment,
Strike Group,
Wing, etc.

Focuses on planning Operations
and executing battles, Area
engagements, and
activities to achieve
military objectives
assigned to tactical
units or task forces.

ART 4.2.4
Plan religious support
operations.
MCT 4.6.2.2
Provide religious
ministries support.
NTA 4.4.5
Accommodate religious
needs.
AFTA 4.4.6.1
Provide religious
observances.
AFTA 4.4.6.2
Provide pastoral care.
AFTA 4.4.6.3
Advise commanders on
religious matters.

The three levels of war—strategic, operational, and tactical—help clarify the links between national strategic
objectives and tactical actions.

Legend
AFTA
ART
MCT
NTA

Air Force tactical task
Army tactical task
Marine Corps task
Navy tactical task

OP
SN
ST

operational
strategic national
strategic theater

Figure II-3. Religious Support Teams Integrated into Levels of War

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Fundamentals, Relationships, and Duties
(4) Engaging with regional senior military and religious officials consistent with
their noncombatant status. Commanders should ensure that such tasks do not create the
appearance of favoring a particular religion.
(5) Preparing RS portions of operation plans, orders, and directives.
(6) Developing and recommending operational command policy regarding religious
issues (e.g., religious facility use, literature distribution, ecclesiastical correspondence and
visitors, NGO, and humanitarian assistance).
c. Tactical RS is a Service component responsibility. Examples of tactical level
responsibilities include:
(1) Advising the commander on religious affairs affecting the operational area.
(2) Providing, facilitating, and managing RS in coordination with higher, adjacent,
and subordinate HQ command chaplains, to include RS to recovered isolated personnel.
(3) Preparing RS portions of unit-level plans, orders, and directives.
6. Enlisted Religious Support Personnel Roles and Responsibilities
The Army or Air Force CA or the Navy RP provides enlisted support to the chaplain.
The RS senior enlisted leader (SEL) is the principal enlisted advisor to the command
chaplain. Services train their respective CA/RP to work directly within their Service
chaplaincy prerogatives. The skills vary by Service and mission set. The JFCH and RS SEL
understand the service-connected tasks and structure the delivery of RS to maximize the
differences into a cohesive, seamless program of support.
a. The RS SEL:
(1) Analyzes, manages, and executes diverse RS requirements.
(2) Advises RS enlisted personnel in subordinate organizations and their
command’s SELs regarding religious affairs issues and activities.
(3) Advises the command’s SEL and staff.
(4) Supports operations, exercises, engagements, and outreach.
(5) Manages RS resources and sustainment.
(6) Integrates, coordinates, or provides security as required.
b. Additional skills may include:
(1) Functional knowledge regarding world religions and the religious dynamics of
indigenous populations.

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Chapter II
(2) Arranging opportunities to promote religious cooperation, understanding, and
support.
(3) Developing and providing mentorship for emerging military chaplaincies.
(4) Coordinating efforts for formal regional military working groups and militaryto-military programs advising senior level noncommissioned officers on the religious, moral,
and ethical issues related to policies and programs.
7. Religious Affairs in Interorganizational Coordination
When directed by the commander, the JFCH establishes relationships with organizations
in order to enhance capabilities, promote interoperability, and advise the commander in
support of mission requirements. Issues of legality, permissions, collaborative tools,
information sharing, and partnering with other governmental agencies or partner nations to
meet religious needs should be considered. A JFCH’s responsibilities to coordinate religious
affairs for issues and activities for a JFC with multinationals might be expanded based on
multinational agreements. Examples of interorganizational coordination are:
a. Interagency: Department of State (DOS), Federal Bureau of Investigation, and
United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
b. Intergovernmental: United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and African
Union.
c. Multinational: America, Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
d. Nongovernmental: International Red Cross/Crescent and World Vision.
e. Private Sector: nonpublic or commercial individuals and businesses, specified
nonprofit organizations, most of academia, and other scholastic institutions.
f. Contractors.

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CHAPTER III
THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS IN JOINT OPERATIONS

“An operational commander, however well trained in the military issues, who is ignorant of
or discounts the importance of religious belief can strengthen his enemy, offend his allies,
alienate his own forces, and antagonize public opinion. Religious belief is a factor he must
consider in evaluating the enemy's intentions and capabilities, the state of his own forces,
his relationship with allies, and his courses of action.”
Paul R. Wrigley, “The Impact of Religious Belief in the Theater of Operations,”
Naval War College Review, Spring 1996

1. Religious Support Team Participation in Military Engagement
Religious affairs in joint military operations will require a variety of actions supporting
different types and phases of operations. Close coordination should be maintained among
the RSTs of the CCMD, Service components, JTFs, and other subordinate units involved in
joint military operations. In addition to the responsibilities described in Chapter II,
“Fundamentals, Relationships, and Duties,” the list below is meant to illustrate some of the
special considerations that RST members should keep in mind; it is by no means an
exhaustive list.
a. Noncombat Operations. There are many types of activities that commanders
conduct outside of combat operations. RST involvement in such activities may include:
(1) Liaison and coordination activities throughout the operational area and with
subordinate units in support of the commander’s theater security cooperation program. This
includes participation in humanitarian and civil assistance missions.
(2) When directed by the commander, establishing relationships with appropriate
local religious leaders in consultation with the CCMD chaplain.
(3) As requested or directed by the commander and consistent with their
noncombatant status, building and maintaining partnership capacity by assisting other
militaries in establishing or improving their own military chaplaincies.
(4) Building relationships and collaborating with other government agencies,
NGOs, and IGOs.
b. Combat Operations. Consistent with their noncombatant status and in compliance
with restrictions set forth in the law of war, chaplains may be involved in one or more of the
following activities before, during, and after combat operations:
(1) Planning and coordinating to ensure pastoral care and the provision or
facilitation of religious worship for the spiritual well-being of the Service members.
(2) Caring for the wounded and honoring the fallen.

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Chapter III
(3) Advising on appropriate chaplain liaison in support of military operations.
(4) Ensuring the JFC and staff understand the constraints and restraints, as defined
by the noncombatant status of chaplains.
(5) Coordinating for RST replacements.
c. Peace Operations. Peace operations include peacekeeping, peace enforcement,
peacemaking, peace building, military peace enforcement, and conflict prevention efforts.
The RST supporting peace operations must understand the unique requirements of each kind
of peace operation. RSTs will be involved in many of the activities mentioned in paragraph
1a, “Noncombat Operations.”
See JP 3-07.3, Peace Operations, for more information.
d. Stability Operations. Stability operations can present some of the most challenging
and complex ethical situations that commanders face. An essential component of stability
operations is working effectively with the larger interagency community, especially the DOS
and USAID. RSTs supporting stability operations need to understand the special
requirements of such operations, and should consult DODI 3000.5, Stability Operations, JP
3-07, Stability Operations, and JP 3-57, Civil-Military Operations. In these circumstances
RSTs pay particular attention to interagency coordination and to coordinating with the
CCMD chaplain in advising the JFC on religious affairs.
e. Foreign Humanitarian Assistance. These operations are characterized by a crisis
event and the limited time available for RST planning, preparation, and response. As an
example, refugees, displaced persons, and evacuees may present special challenges.
For more information on foreign humanitarian assistance, see JP 3-29, Foreign
Humanitarian Assistance.
f. Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEOs). When directed, the JFCH
coordinates RS for US forces conducting the NEO, other participating forces, and evacuees
as authorized.
For more information, see JP 3-68, Noncombatant Evacuation Operations.
g. Detainee Operations. Military chaplains do not generally provide direct RS to
detainees. Should the JFC determine a requirement to provide direct military chaplain
support to detainees, communications between the chaplains and the detainees will be
privileged to the extent provided by evidentiary privilege rules and appropriate Military
Department policies. The JFCH advises the JFC on the religious needs and practices of
detainees. In addition, the JFC may direct the JFCH to assess and ensure the humane
treatment of detainees.
See JP 3-63, Detainee Operations, for more information.

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The Role of Religious Affairs in Joint Operations
h. Personnel Recovery. When directed, the JFCH coordinates or provides RS for
phase I and II reintegration of recovered personnel. Recovered personnel who request
pastoral care or counseling from Service chaplains must be clearly advised that their
communications with the chaplain, as a formal act of religion or matter of conscience, are
privileged communications and confidential under Military Rules of Evidence, Rule 503(b).
See JP 3-50, Personnel Recovery, for more information.
i. Mortuary Affairs. When specific faith group guidance on interment requirements or
mourning practices of multinational, adversary, or indigenous religious groups is required
during joint operations, JTF personnel may consult with the nearest joint force or Service
component chaplain.
For additional guidance on mortuary affairs, see JP 4-06, Mortuary Affairs.
j. Homeland Defense (HD) and DSCA. RSTs should understand the interrelationship
between HD and DSCA operations, and anticipate the potential for transition between these
missions or simultaneous HD and DSCA operations. RSTs should also consider how legal
authorities and command responsibilities differ based upon mission, i.e., Title 32, Title 14,
and Title 10, USC. RSTs should also address coordination and collaboration with
interagency, multinational, nongovernmental, and faith-based partners in the planning
process. RSTs anticipate, plan, equip, train for, and effectively respond to natural disasters;
terrorist attacks; or chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear events.
For an updated list of national and state disaster relief organizations, see the National
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website at www.nvoad.org.
(1) HD. US Northern Command and US Pacific Command are primarily
responsible for the coordination of RS for HD. RSTs provide RS to forces conducting HD in
the air, land, and maritime domains during the range of military operations. Regardless of
the operation, RS tasks, plans, and execution are similar. RSTs will follow command
direction, joint and Service policy, supervisory chaplain guidance, and legal counsel
regarding permissible chaplain activities in HD operations.
For additional guidance, see JP 3-27, Homeland Defense.
(2) DSCA. RSTs may be colocated with the joint field office in the joint
operations area in order to coordinate with the appropriate emergency support function
organizations. During DSCA operations, the RST deploys for the primary purpose of
providing RS to authorized DOD personnel. DSCA operations present unique challenges,
including:
(a) Establishing parameters for interaction with non-DOD civilians.
(b) The potential for interaction with local, state, territorial, tribal, and federal
law enforcement and emergency response personnel and/or their chaplains.
For additional guidance, see JP 3-28, Defense Support of Civil Authorities.

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Chapter III
(3) Legal Considerations. RSTs deploy during DSCA operations for the purpose
of providing RS to authorized Armed Forces personnel. The Establishment Clause of the US
Constitution and current DOD legal guidance generally prohibit chaplains from providing
RS to the civilian population, other than in specific emergency situations. RSTs will not
normally provide RS to persons unaffiliated with the Armed Forces, absent explicit and
unambiguous tasking from proper authority. Examples are traditional open worship services
and authorized support to persons under the care, control, or custody of the Armed Forces.
Chaplains, absent any explicit command prohibition to the contrary, may act in their personal
capacity to provide incidental RS to persons not affiliated with the Armed Forces during the
execution of an assigned mission. This support may be provided when the following four
criteria (also known as “the four pronged test”) are met:
(a) The support must be individually and personally requested in an emergency
situation, where the need is immediate, unusual, and unplanned.
(b) The need must be acute. Acute needs are those which are of short duration,
prone to rapid deterioration, and in need of urgent and immediate care. The necessary
provision of “last rites” is the clearest but not the only example of such needs.
(c) The requested support must be incapable of being reasonably rendered by
members of the clergy unaffiliated with the Armed Forces. Time, distance, and the state of
communications may require such a determination to be made on the spot, by the chaplain,
based on the information available at the time.
(d) The support must be actually incidental. Such support incurs no
incremental monetary cost and does not significantly detract from the primary role of the
RST.
Based upon the above four criteria for intervention, RSTs may assist mortuary operations
and recovery personnel. See JP 4-06, Mortuary Affairs, for more information.
(4) Family Assistance Center. During catastrophic events, a family assistance
center may be activated. RSTs in the family assistance center provide RS to authorized
DOD personnel and coordinate with civilian religious care providers as directed or required.
See JP 3-28, Defense Support of Civil Authorities, for more information.
2. Chaplain Liaison in Support of Military Engagement

“During the Spanish American War, General John J. (Black Jack) Pershing, used
his chaplain in the Philippines as a liaison with Catholic clergy in the north and
Muslim leaders in the south in an attempt to ease hostilities.”
“Military Chaplains as Peace Builders Embracing Indigenous Religions
in Stability Operations,” William Lee, et al., February 2006

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The Role of Religious Affairs in Joint Operations
a. In many situations, clergy-to-clergy communication is preferred by the indigenous
religious leader. Military chaplains with the requisite knowledge, experience, and
training/education have religious legitimacy that may directly contribute positively to the
JFC’s mission.
(1) Military engagement is the routine contact and interaction between individuals
or elements of the Armed Forces of the United States and those of another nation’s armed
forces, or foreign and domestic civilian authorities or agencies to build trust and confidence,
share information, coordinate mutual activities, and maintain influence.
(2) Chaplain liaison in support of military engagement is any command-directed
contact or interaction where the chaplain, as the command’s religious representative, meets
with a leader on matters of religion to ameliorate suffering and to promote peace and the
benevolent expression of religion. It is a focused and narrow role that addresses religion in
human activity without employing religion to achieve a military advantage. These activities
can take place during any phase of an operation and may have implications at all levels of
operations. Some parameters for chaplain liaison in support of military engagement are as
follows:
(a) Do not conduct chaplain liaison unless directed by the commander and in
concert with commander’s guidance.
(b) Do not compromise noncombatant status.
(c) Do not function as intelligence collector.
(d) Do not engage in manipulation and/or deception operations.
(e) Do not take the lead in formal negotiations for command outcomes.
(f) Do not identify targets for combat operations.
(g) Do not use these engagements as occasions for proselytizing.
(h) Commanders should be aware that when chaplains provide incidental
ministry to non-US Armed Forces personnel, chaplains are required to preserve confidential
communications in the same way such communications are preserved with US Armed Forces
personnel.
(i) Chaplains should coordinate chaplain liaison with other staff and non-staff
agencies of the command.
b. Chaplains involved in chaplain liaison maintain dialogue with indigenous religious
leaders, communities, NGOs, IGOs, and other actors as directed by the commander.

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Intentionally Blank

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APPENDIX A
RELIGIOUS ESTIMATE
When developing the religious estimate, the JFC may receive assessments and input
relative to religious advisement from various subject matter experts. Chaplains participate in
the development of religious estimates consistent with their noncombatant status. The
following considerations can be used to develop the religious estimate to be used in religious
advisement.
1. How do US political goals for this situation interface with the religious sensibilities of the
host nation concerned and the local communities in the operational area?
a. How is the host nation affected by the religious preferences of regional neighbors or
global religious perceptions and pressures?
b. What host nation cultural religious perceptions or practices conflict with US positions
on democracy, personal dignity, religious tolerance/pluralism, and separation of
religion/state?
c. How is the host nation’s political and diplomatic process influenced by religious
persuasion?
2. How does religious liaison facilitate the commander’s intent, end state, and operation or
campaign plan objectives?
a. Which lines of operation and lines of effort can religious liaison support?
b. What are the measures of effectiveness for religious liaison initiatives?
c. How are the objectives of religious liaison communicated to other levels of
command?
d. How can US military policies in the host nation support or offend religious
preferences?
e. How can religious liaison be reinforced by interagency organizations, IGOs, or
NGOs?
f. What is the type, amount, and duration of religious liaison that the command will
support?
g. How do branches/sequels address ongoing operations and religious liaison? What is
the chaplain’s role in the plans and preparation? What accurate and timely advice can be
offered? Where is the best information and wisdom to be found?
3. What religious practices (or religions) directly affect the host nation decision-making
process?

A-1

Appendix A
4. How does religion affect the principles of law and justice?
5. How does religion affect the use of force, civilian and military?
6. How does religion affect reconciliation, treaties, and a sustainable peace? What host
nation religious principles and practices are available?
7. How does religion affect economic prosperity, distribution of income, and religiously
factored concepts of economic justice?
8. How does religion affect social structures: class, caste, tribe, region, and occupation?
9. What is the relationship between religion and freedom of communication? Access to
media? Restrictions?
10. What is the relationship between the state and education? Does the state sponsor
religious schools? To what extent is there control of access to education, success based on
religious bias, teaching materials, licensure of teachers, and other religiously factored
elements?
11. How does the state use mass media to regulate or promote religious access and content
(television, radio, and internet)?
12. What religious entities or organizations are formally and informally recognized by the
state?
13. What is the role of religious leadership? What is the extent of their influence?
14. What is the role of the US military with global, regional, and indigenous faith based
organizations (e.g., missionary, church, and religious NGOs)?
15. What considerations are important in the interagency and joint force environments with
regard to religious factors?
16. What is the impact of US and global media coverage of religious issues in the host
nation and the region?
17. What are the ongoing religiously factored conflicts in the host nation? What is the level
of repression of minority religious groups?
18. What is the impact of a US/multinational presence on the religious life of the area?
Does it support religious freedom and values? Incite violence?
19. What skill sets do multinational forces chaplains bring to support religious liaison with
host nation?

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APPENDIX B
REFERENCES
The development of JP 1-05 is based upon the following primary references:
1. United States Laws
a. Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986.
b. Title 10, USC.
c. Title 14, USC.
d. Title 32, USC.
e. Title 50, USC.
2. Department of Defense Directives and Instructions
a. DODD 1304.19, Appointment of Chaplains for the Military Departments.
b. DODD 5100.01, Functions of the Department of Defense and its Major Components.
c. DODI 1000.01, Identification (ID) Cards Required by the Geneva Conventions.
d. DODI 1300.17, Accommodation of Religious Practices within the Military Services.
e. DODI 1300.19, DOD Joint Officer Management Program.
f. DODI 1304.28, Guidance for the Appointment of Chaplains for the Military
Departments.
g. DODI 3000.05, Stability Operations.
h. DODI 5100.73, Major DOD Headquarters Activities.
i. DODI 5120.08, Armed Forces Chaplains Board.
3. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instructions and Manuals
a. CJCSI 1301.01E, Joint Individual Augmentation Procedures.
b. CJCSI 1800.01D, Officer Professional Military Education Policy.
c. CJCSI 3150.25E, Joint Lessons Learned Program.
d. CJCSI 3405.01, Chairman’s Total Force Fitness Framework.

B-1

Appendix B
e. CJCSI 3500.01G, Joint Training Policy and Guidance for the Armed Forces of the
United States.
f. CJCSM 3122.01A, Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES),
Volume I, Planning Policies and Procedures.
g. CJCSM 3122.02D, Joint Operation Planning and Execution System, Volume III,
Time-Phased Force and Deployment Data Development and Deployment Execution.
h. CJCSM 3130.03, Adaptive Planning and Execution (APEX) Planning Formats and
Guidance.
i. CJCSM 3500.03D, Joint Training Manual for the Armed Forces of the United States.
j. CJCSM 3500.04F, Universal Joint Task Manual.
4. Joint Publications
a. JP 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States.
b. JP 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.
c. JP 2-01.3, Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment.
d. JP 3-0, Joint Operations.
e. JP 3-08, Interorganizational Coordination During Joint Operations.
f. JP 3-16, Multinational Operations.
g. JP 3-27, Homeland Defense.
h. JP 3-28, Defense Support of Civil Authorities.
i. JP 3-29, Foreign Humanitarian Assistance.
j. JP 3-33, Joint Task Force Headquarters.
k. JP 3-57, Civil-Military Operations.
l. JP 3-61, Public Affairs.
m. JP 4-06, Mortuary Affairs.
n. JP 5-0, Joint Operation Planning.
5. Army Publications
a. Army Regulation 165-1, Army Chaplain Corps Activities.

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JP 1-05

References
b. FM 1-05, Religious Support.
6. Navy Publications
a. Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1730.7D, Religious Ministry within the Department
of the Navy.
b. Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1730.10, Chaplain Advisement and Liaison.
c. Navy Warfare Publication 1-05, Religious Ministry in the Fleet.
d. Chief of Naval Operations Instruction 1730.1E, Religious Ministry in the Navy.
7. Air Force Publications
a. Air Force Policy Directive 52-1, Chaplain Service.
b. Air Force Instruction 52-101, Planning and Organizing.
c. Air Force Instruction 52-104, Chaplain Corps Readiness.
8. Marine Corps Publications
a. Marine Corps Manual, Chaplains and Religious Affairs.
b. Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 6-12, Religious Ministry Support in the
USMC.
c. Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 6-12B, Religious Lay Leaders
Handbook.
d. MCRP 6-12A, Religious Ministry Team Handbook.
e. MCRP 6-12C, Commanders Handbook for Religious Ministry Support.
9. Coast Guard Publication
Commandant, United States Coast Guard Instruction M1730.4B, Religious Ministries
within the Coast Guard.

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Appendix B

Intentionally Blank

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JP 1-05

APPENDIX C
ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
1. User Comments
Users in the field are highly encouraged to submit comments on this publication to: Joint
Staff J-7, Deputy Director, Joint Education and Doctrine, ATTN: Joint Doctrine Analysis
Division, 116 Lake View Parkway, Suffolk, VA 23435-2697. These comments should
address content (accuracy, usefulness, consistency, and organization), writing, and
appearance.
2. Authorship
The lead agent and the Joint Staff doctrine sponsor for this publication is the Joint Staff
J-1 Office of Religious Affairs.
3. Supersession
This publication supersedes JP 1-05, 13 November 2009, Religious Affairs in Joint
Operations.
4. Change Recommendations
a. Recommendations for urgent changes to this publication should be submitted:
TO:

JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J7-JE&D//

b. Routine changes should be submitted electronically to the Deputy Director, Joint
Education and Doctrine, ATTN: Joint Doctrine Analysis Division, 116 Lake View Parkway,
Suffolk, VA 23435-2697, and info the lead agent and the Director for Joint Force
Development, J-7/JE&D.
c. When a Joint Staff directorate submits a proposal to the CJCS that would change
source document information reflected in this publication, that directorate will include a
proposed change to this publication as an enclosure to its proposal. The Services and other
organizations are requested to notify the Joint Staff J-7 when changes to source documents
reflected in this publication are initiated.
5. Distribution of Publications
Local reproduction is authorized, and access to unclassified publications is unrestricted.
However, access to and reproduction authorization for classified JPs must be IAW DOD
Manual 5200.01, Volume 1, DOD Information Security Program: Overview, Classification,
and Declassification, and DOD Manual 5200.01, Volume 3, DOD Information Security
Program: Protection of Classified Information.

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Appendix C
6. Distribution of Electronic Publications
a. Joint Staff J-7 will not print copies of JPs for distribution. Electronic versions are
available on JDEIS at https://jdeis.js.mil (NIPRNET) and http://jdeis.js.smil.mil (SIPRNET),
and on the JEL at http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine (NIPRNET).
b. Only approved JPs are releasable outside the CCMDs, Services, and Joint Staff.
Release of any classified JP to foreign governments or foreign nationals must be requested
through the local embassy (Defense Attaché Office) to Defense Intelligence Agency,
Defense Foreign Liaison/IE-3, 200 MacDill Blvd., Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling,
Washington, DC 20340-5100.
c. JEL CD-ROM. Upon request of a joint doctrine development community member,
the Joint Staff J-7 will produce and deliver one CD-ROM with current JPs. This JEL CDROM will be updated not less than semi-annually and when received can be locally
reproduced for use within the CCMDs, Services, and combat support agencies.

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JP 1-05

GLOSSARY
PART I—ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
AFCB
AOR

Armed Forces Chaplains Board
area of responsibility

CA
CCDR
CCMD
CJCS
CJCSI
CJCSM
CNGB

chaplain assistant
combatant commander
combatant command
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff instruction
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff manual
Chief, National Guard Bureau

DOD
DODD
DODI
DOS
DSCA

Department of Defense
Department of Defense directive
Department of Defense instruction
Department of State
defense support of civil authorities

FM

field manual (Army)

HD
HQ

homeland defense
headquarters

IA
IGO

individual augmentee
intergovernmental organization

JFC
JFCH
JP
JS
JTF

joint force commander
joint force chaplain
joint publication
Joint Staff
joint task force

MCRP

Marine Corps reference publication

NEO
NG
NGB-OC
NG JFHQ-State
NGO

noncombatant evacuation operation
National Guard
National Guard Bureau-Office of the Chaplain
National Guard joint force headquarters-state
nongovernmental organization

RFF
RP
RS
RST

request for forces
religious program specialist
religious support
religious support team

GL-1

Glossary

SecDef
SEL

Secretary of Defense
senior enlisted leader

USAID
USC

United States Agency for International Development
United States Code

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JP 1-05

PART II—TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
combatant command chaplain. The senior chaplain assigned to the staff of, or designated
by, the combatant commander to provide advice on religion, ethical, and moral issues,
and morale of assigned personnel and to coordinate religious ministries within the
combatant commander’s area of responsibility. (Approved for incorporation into
JP 1-02.)
command chaplain. The senior chaplain assigned to or designated by a commander of a
staff, command, or unit. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 1-05)
joint force chaplain. The military chaplain designated by the joint force commander to
serve as the senior chaplain for the joint force. Also called the JFCH. (JP 1-02.
SOURCE: JP 1-05)
religious advisement. The practice of informing the commander on the impact of religion
on joint operations to include, but not limited to: worship, rituals, customs, and practices
of US military personnel, international forces, and the indigenous population; as well as
the impact of military operations on the religious and humanitarian dynamics in the
operational area. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.)
religious affairs. The combination of religious support and religious advisement. (JP 1-02.
SOURCE: JP 1-05)
religious support. Chaplain-facilitated free exercise of religion through worship, religious
and pastoral counseling services, ceremonial honors for the fallen, crisis intervention,
and advice to the commander on ethical and moral issues, and morale as affected by
religion. Also called RS. (Approved for incorporation into JP 1-02.)
religious support plan. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)
religious support team. A team, comprised of at least one chaplain and one enlisted
support person, that works together in designing, implementing, and executing the
command religious program. Also called RST. (Approved for incorporation into
JP 1-02.)

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Glossary

Intentionally Blank

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JP 1-05

JOINT DOCTRINE PUBLICATIONS HIERARCHY
JP 1
JOINT
DOCTRINE

JP 1-0

JP 2-0

JP 3-0

JP 4-0

JP 5-0

JP 6-0

PERSONNEL

INTELLIGENCE

OPERATIONS

LOGISTICS

PLANS

COMMUNICATIONS
SYSTEM

All joint publications are organized into a comprehensive hierarchy as shown in the chart above. Joint
Publication (JP) 1-05 is in the Personnel series of joint doctrine publications. The diagram below
illustrates an overview of the development process:
STEP #1 - Initiation

STEP #4 - Maintenance
l
l

l
l

JP published and continuously
assessed by users
Formal assessment begins
24-27 months following
publication
Revision begins 3.5 years
after publication
Each JP revision is completed
no later than 5 years after
signature

l

l
l
l
l

l

Maintenance

Joint doctrine development
community (JDDC) submission to fill
extant operational void
Joint Staff (JS) J-7 conducts frontend analysis
Joint Doctrine Planning Conference
validation
Program directive (PD) development
and staffing/joint working group
PD includes scope, references,
outline, milestones, and draft
authorship
JS J-7 approves and releases PD to
lead agent (LA) (Service, combatant
command, JS directorate)

Initiation

ENHANCED
JOINT
WARFIGHTING
CAPABILITY

JOINT
DOCTRINE
PUBLICATION

Development

Approval

STEP #3 - Approval
l
l
l
l

JSDS delivers adjudicated matrix to JS J-7
JS J-7 prepares publication for signature
JSDS prepares JS staffing package
JSDS staffs the publication via JSAP for
signature

STEP #2 - Development
l
l
l
l
l
l

LA selects primary review authority (PRA) to develop the first
draft (FD)
PRA develops FD for staffing with JDDC
FD comment matrix adjudication
JS J-7 produces the final coordination (FC) draft, staffs to
JDDC and JS via Joint Staff Action Processing (JSAP) system
Joint Staff doctrine sponsor (JSDS) adjudicates FC comment
matrix
FC joint working group