Chapel Orientation Info

Welcome to JBSA-Lackland and Basic Military Training. As you begin a unique opportunity for service, the Chaplains and Religious Affairs Airmen are here to assist you. This page provides essential information on the BMT Chapel Program so you have access to religious support from day one of your Air Force training.

Who is the Chapel Team?

The Air Force accomplishes its mission when wingmen work together — and that holds true for the Chapel Team. Chaplains (officers) and Religious Affairs Airmen (enlisted) work side-by-side to ensure every trainee and Airman has the access and support they need for religious services and spiritual care.

What we provide

• 100% Confidential Counseling
• Crisis Intervention
• Religious Programs
• Religious Accommodation
• Unit Engagement
• Leadership Advisement

Some of these terms may be unclear as you begin BMT — we can address them as the time comes.

How do I get chapel support?

During BMT, you simply contact a Chaplain or a Religious Affairs Airman (RAA) by using your chain of command — usually by telling your MTI. They will readily schedule you to have an appointment with one of our Chaplains or RAAs at a time that fits your BMT schedule.

Normal duty day: 0730 – 1630, Monday through Friday.

You'll also see Chaplains and Religious Affairs Airmen working together (as Religious Support Teams, RSTs) in your training squadron — and you're free to engage us as the setting allows.

What is confidential counseling?

Whenever you meet with a Chaplain or Religious Affairs Airman as a matter of conscience or religious obligation, everything you discuss in counseling is treated as confidential. We do not reveal any details to anyone else, at any time, for any reason.

In the military this is known as "privileged communication" and we take it very seriously. Whether the content is religious or not, we provide a safe place for you to talk and seek counsel.

What about religious services?

Pre-coronavirus, there were normally many opportunities for attending religious services during BMT — Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and many others. As you probably experienced at home, gatherings have been temporarily suspended in response to the pandemic.

Currently, we provide each BMT squadron with recordings of several religious services, normally available for viewing or broadcast on Sundays.

Religious services currently available:

• Buddhist
• Roman Catholic (with communion offered to trainees not in ROM who have viewed the recorded service)
• Jewish
• Latter Day Saint
• Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (3rd Sundays only)
• Muslim
• Orthodox Christian
• Protestant Contemporary (communion for Protestants offered 1st Sunday of the month)
• Protestant Gospel
• Protestant Liturgical

Is there an emergency Chaplain?

Yes. There is an "On-Call Chaplain" available by phone after the duty day (after 1630 Monday–Friday, weekends, and holidays).

Contact this Chaplain ONLY for emergencies — needs that cannot wait to be addressed until the next duty day and require seeing a Chaplain IMMEDIATELY, such as:

• Suicidal / homicidal thoughts
• Physical or sexual assault
• Death in the immediate family

Final word

BMT can be a time of transformation at many levels — physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Make the most of your opportunity. We are ready to assist you along the way and look forward to meeting you as you train to become Airmen.

As of 24 July 2020