This year marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps—one of the oldest and most sacred institutions in military history. To honor this milestone, we sat down with Chaplain (Ret.) Karen Diefendorf, an Army veteran with over 33 years of experience in ministry, to learn more about what it means to be a military chaplain, the path to becoming one, and their impact on the lives of soldiers and their families.

Q: What exactly does an Army chaplain do?

The Army Chaplain Corps supports the right to exercise one’s religion within the military. That’s not just a slogan—it’s a constitutional responsibility. Chaplains offer worship services, religious rites, spiritual counseling, literature, and a safe, confidential space for soldiers to process whatever they’re going through, whether it’s grief, stress, questions about faith, or even moral injury after combat. But we also serve as “liminal figures” (a concept developed by cultural anthropologist Victor Turner)—standing in the in-between space. When soldiers feel stuck between the sacred and the profane, between their duty and conscience, we help carry that burden. We walk with them through the darkness. Sometimes in prayer, sometimes in silence, but always with a supportive presence.

Q: What are the requirements to become an Army chaplain?

It’s a highly selective and rigorous process. You must have a Master of Divinity degree, which requires 72 postgraduate hours; some requirements vary by denomination. Then, you will need an official ecclesiastical endorsement from your faith tradition. Chaplains must demonstrate an ability to operate in a pluralistic environment, meaning they must respect and support service members of all faiths (or none) without imposing their own beliefs on them.

Q: What made you want to become a chaplain?

My parents, who served in World War II, initially inspired me. I grew up hearing stories of courage and service, and I knew I wanted to support soldiers in some way. I initially applied as a Reserve chaplain but eventually moved to active duty at age 33. I believed then, and still do, that caring for a soldier’s soul is one of a pastor’s highest callings.

Q: What kinds of support do chaplains provide in combat and deployment?

Chaplains deploy with their units. We go where they go, with no special accommodations. If they’re sleeping on the ground, we’re sleeping on the ground. That shared hardship builds trust. However, we’re noncombatants, so we don’t carry weapons. Our “weapon” is our presence. We are there to pray with the wounded, counsel the grieving, offer absolution and spiritual cleansing, and provide perspective and peace amid chaos. We also advocate to commanders on behalf of soldiers who need time, space, or accommodations for religious observance, or who are experiencing a moral or spiritual crisis.

Q: Can soldiers speak to chaplains in total confidence?

Yes. Absolute confidentiality is one of the most unique and vital parts of being a military chaplain. Soldiers can let their guard down and share personal struggles and moral doubts; a chaplain cannot and will not report them. It’s a sacred trust. As one soldier told me during a deployment, “I don’t know what I believe, but I need something. Can you just sit with me?” So I did, for nearly an hour, in silence. When he left, he said, “Thanks for not trying to fix it.” That’s what chaplains do. We sit in the hard places and carry the weight with them.

Q: What would you like people to know about the Chaplain Corps?

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Chaplain (Ret.) Karen Diefendorf served 24 years as an active-duty Army chaplain and over 33 years of experience in ministry. She was assigned to various commands worldwide, including the Pentagon, where she worked on the Constitutionality of the Chaplaincy. She also contributed to the revision of the Army’s Field Manual on Leadership as it related to belief systems. She retired as a Lieutenant Colonel to answer her church’s call to become the Academic Dean at Lincoln Christian University’s Undergraduate College, Lincoln, IL. The Secretary of the Army recalled her to active duty on special assignment. Karen received multiple military awards, including a Legion of Merit and Instructor of the Year at the Army Chaplain Center and School. She was also the first female chaplain to become a paratrooper. Karen was inducted into the Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame class 2020. 

Following the completion of her recall to active duty, in January 2014, she served at a Tyson Prepared Foods plant as a part-time chaplain while also serving as a chaplain with Hospice Care of South Carolina. She completed her formal pastoral career as Director of Chaplain Services for Tyson Foods, Inc., retiring in April 2021. She continues active ministry by hosting a weekly radio program, “Encounters With God” on Wreaths Across America Radio and serving on five boards: Philippine Mission of the Churches of Christ, Tyson Center for Faith and Spirituality at the University of Arkansas, US Army Chaplain Regimental Association, Marsh Center for Chaplain Studies, and Wreaths Across America. She holds an undergraduate degree in Christian Education and a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Lincoln (IL) Christian College and Seminary (now Lincoln Christian University), as well as a Master of Sacred Theology in Christian Ethics from Yale University. Karen completed all residency requirements for the Doctor of Ministry degree from Lexington Theological Seminary. She was honored to receive an honorary Doctor of Theology degree from Seoul Christian University, Seoul, South Korea.