February 2025

General Order 350

Where the Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps Began

By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Timothy Miner

Chief of Education and Training Chaplain Corps (CAP/HCE)

On April 4, 1950, CAP Colonel William G. Booth, deputy commander of the national organization, signed General Order 350 on behalf of the national commander which created the Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Service. During the 75^th anniversary of this event, all members of the corps should take the time to learn the reasons articulated in the document that created the chaplaincy for the new auxiliary of the United States Air Force.

Here are the initial duties of the service as quoted in the regulation:  

1. The purpose of this letter, pending publication of a CAP directive, is to establish a duty assignment schedule for Chaplains assigned to Civil Air Patrol units.
2. The Civil Air Patrol Chaplain functions as established in this letter im­plement AFR 165-3 (where applicable) pertaining to functions of all Chaplains serv­ing with units of Civil Air Patrol.
3. Chaplains of Civil Air Patrol will assure moral and religious ministration throughout units to which they are assigned. Such ministration will be based on apparent needs within respective wings, groups and squadrons. The Chaplain will serve as chief advisor to the Commanding Officer on all matters pertaining to religious life,  morals, morale and other related matters affecting Civil Air Patrol personnel. The Chaplain, in the performance of his duties, is directly responsible to the commanding officer and his position as such will be so indicated on all organizational directives and charts.
4. The specific duties of Chaplain include the following:
   1. Implement Air Force Chaplain program where applicable, as outlined in AFR 165-3.
   2. Will recommend to Commanding Officer general and specific adaptation of Chaplain’s program to meet the needs of the organization.
   3. Exercise supervisory responsibility over Chaplain activities within his organization.
   4. Make frequent field trips and personal contact with Civil Air Patrol personnel.
   5. Promote cordial relations between military and civilian organizations as they are related to the Civil Air Patrol.
   6. Render casualty assistance to next of kin in cases of tragedy among personnel.
   7. Serve as counselor to any and all Civil Air Patrol personnel who may desire Chaplain assistance.
   8. Make frequent character guidance lectures to cadets and senior personnel.
   9. Provide moral and spiritual coverage for cadets and other Civil Air Patrol personnel while on encampments.
   10. Perform or provide all necessary religious ceremonial functions for both cadets and senior personnel within the Civil Air Patrol program.

When G.O. 350 was published there was no position to assist the chaplain in the performance of these duties.  That would come later in the history of the premier all-volunteer chaplaincy in the United States. 

The Kickoff of the 75^th Anniversary Celebration of the CAP Chaplain Corps

During the luncheon on February 7, 2025, which celebrated the graduation of the Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps College's Auxiliary Chaplain Course class 25A at Maxwell Air Force Base, the corps kicked off its celebration the 75th anniversary of providing spiritual fitness and service with a special cake-cutting ceremony. The cake featured both the corps’ and the anniversary’s logo emblems.



The 21st Chief of Chaplains of the Air Force and 3rd Chief of Chaplains of the Space Force, Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Trent C. Davis joined the deputy Chief of Chaplains of CAP, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Van Don Williams in the event at Wilson Hall, the national headquarters of CAP. Chaplain Davis is the first to weld the new blade called “The Cake-Slayer” which will be available for ceremonies around the United States during the anniversary year.

On April 4, 1950, the headquarters of CAP published General Order 350 which created the Chaplain Service for the new auxiliary of the United States Air Force.

Photograph by CAP 1st Lt. Ian Stembridge (CAP/MAC)

New 75^th Anniversary Coins Are Now Available

Interested in celebrating and sharing the joy of 75 years of providing “Spiritual Fitness for Today’s Missions and Tomorrow’s Leaders” with your unit and others in CAP?  Do you want a special way to recognize the core value of excellence throughout CAP?  

The new 75th anniversary CAP Chaplain Corps challenge coin is now available for purchase and distribution.The two-inch shiny gold coin is like the generic corps coin from the last several years. However, this year, the reverse showcases the 75th anniversary logo of a diamond made with seven ascending rays found in the USAF/CAP crest and seven descending rays found in the logo of the CAP Chaplain Corps College.  

To order your coins, send a check for $7 each (the cost of manufacturing at Vanguard) along with postage to this address:

Chaplain Tim Miner

6512 Manet Court Woodbridge, Virginia 22193

Postage will be $3 for one coin.  $11 for 2 to 5 coins.  $15 for more than 5 coins. Single coins will mail without tracking or insurance while all other orders will mail with tracking and insurance.

Chaplain (Col.) John Reutemann, Chief of Chaplains, presented coin #75 to Maj. Gen. Regena Aye, National Commander, during the recent Winter Command Council meeting in Washington, DC.

The First Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Steven A. Schaick Award Presented in CAP

On February 7, 2025, the first Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Steven A. Schaick ward was presented to the Auxiliary Chaplain of the Year at the graduation of class 25A of the Auxiliary Chaplain Course at the CAP Chaplain Corps College. The 21st Chief of Chaplains of the Air Force, Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Trent C. Davis presented the first award to CAP Chaplain (Capt.) Phineas Jacobus who currently supports the Air Force ROTC Detachment 805 at Texas A&M University. Assisting with the presentation was Air Force chaplain, Chaplain (Maj.) Milton Douglas, individual mobilization augmentee to the chaplain of the Holm Center on Maxwell AFB who is responsible for the spiritual fitness at the 145 Air Force ROTC detachments around the United States, and CAP deputy chief of chaplains, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Van Don Williams.



Colonel Kevin L Parker, commander of Det 805, at Texas A&M wrote the following:



"[Chaplain] Capt. Phineas Jacobus has voluntarily served AFROTC Detachment 805 at Texas A&M, the largest detachment in the nation, with distinction and a heart for service. He has not only folded in seamlessly as a member of the cadre, but he also assists in classroom instructions for lessons on resilience. His continual presence, compassionate demeanor, and commitment to confidentiality have established his solid reputation among cadets as someone who can help. As a result, there is a steady stream of cadets seeking his advice and counsel through their rough patches. Whether counseling to retain them within AFROTC, make a big life choice, or find another path when the AFROTC door closes, he has been an invaluable advisor to countless individuals. His impact, especially with freshmen, has driven remarkable retention rates over the last two years, triggering growth in returning sophomores by 21 percent and then another 36 percent. Chaplain Jacobus’ tireless efforts have contributed to a larger and more resilient talent pool to lead as lieutenants in the Air Force and Space Force."



Chaplain (Maj.) Richard Poole at the Holm Center offered these words of the importance of the duty at the ROTC detachments is to the Air Force.



“The creator of the universe is capable of being at all places at once, the Holm Center chaplains are not. Civil Air Patrol chaplains share in a unique way in the mission success of the Total Force chaplains who serve the 145 Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachments led by 847 cadre, training 13,407 cadets who form our future Air Force leaders. As Civil Air Patrol chaplains, you have just completed your foundational training, the [Auxiliary] Chaplain Course. You will exercise the knowledge and skills you have acquired to provide crisis counseling and spiritual support to individuals who, at that indelible moment of their life, desperately need your hopeful and compassionate presence. Additionally, your regular ministry of presence, which your Civil Air Patrol chaplaincy uniquely affords you, opens doors to the daily lives of cadre and cadets so that you may be their companion on their journey. Stepping up and answering your call within a call, may you mediate your creator’s goodness and be a visible sign of the Holy to all.”

Chaplain Schaick was the 19th Chief of Chaplains of the Air Force and the first Chief of Chaplains of the Space Force from August 2018 to August 2021. What makes this honor so compelling is that Chaplain Schaick was the only Chief of Chaplains of the Air Force to begin his career as a cadet in CAP. He was a member of the unit in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.



By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Timothy Miner
Commandant, CAP Chaplain Corps College

Congratulations to the graduates and faculty of the Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps College’s Auxiliary Chaplain Course class 25A