The SANDF Chaplain Service Objective (Education, Training and Development)

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The SANDF Chaplain Service Objective (Education, Training and Development)

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chaplain Service Objective (Education, Training and Development)

CHAPLAIN SERVICE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT)

The Chaplain Service renders a highly specialized ministry to soldiers and their families. Chaplains provide spiritual leadership, ethical guidance and social support to members of the SANDF, and must be equipped with special skills and knowledge to perform optimally in this unique and taxing environment.
We follow a four-pronged approach in our Skills Development.
OBJECTIVE 1
To facilitate academic theological training at institutions of higher learning, including the following graduate and post-graduate courses:

  • BTh, Hons / PGD, MTh and PhD and DTh.
  • Continued Theological training.
  • Chaplains, like other soldiers, may apply through their units to study at State expense.

OBJECTIVE 2
To plan, direct and control military courses for cplns:

  • CITP (Cplns Introductory Training Program), consisting of Basic Military Training, Staff Methods for chaplains, Officers Forming and two Functional courses, i.e. BTh, Hons / PGD, MTh, PhD, DTh and Continued Theological training.
  • Junior Command and Staff Duties course (JCSD).
  • Senior Military Management Program (SMMP).
  • Joint Senior Command and Staff Duties (JSCSD).
  • Senior Defence and Security Program (SDSP).

OBJECTIVE 3
To plan, direct and control functional courses for Cplns:

  • CHATSEC (Combating HIV/Aids through Spiritual and Ethical Conduct).
  • Cpln in the Unit Course.
  • Cpln in Peace Missions course and Cpln in Operations Course. These two courses prepare cplns to minister to soldiers during internal and external deployments and missions.
  • Senior Cplns Course.

OBJECTIVE 4

  • To plan, direct and control short courses for cplns:
  • Basic Information Technology skills.
  • Intermediate Protocol and etiquette course.
  • Emotionally Intelligent Leadership course.
  • Digital Ministry course.

These four objectives are being achieved simultaneously in the life and career of chaplains, and all four are essential for them not only to be equipped for improved service, but also to be promoted.