CHAPLAIN. _1 military clergyman. having the rank and status of a non-combatant offi cer. In the United States Army. chaplains are appointed by the President and assigned or trans ferred by the Secretary of War. Usually they are attached to the various army posts iif the de partments, under the department commander, who is authorized to recommend to the seeretary of War such transfer of the chaplains in his com mand as may be deemed for the best interests of the service. Ily act of Congress. approved Feb ruary- 2. 1901. it is provided that the establish ment of chaplains shall consist of 57 men. ap portioned as follows: One to each regiment of cavalry and 45 to the infantry and 12 to the artil lery corps. They receive the rank and pay of a captain of infantrW, are chosen from all reli gion: denominations. and must not have passed the age of 40 on date of appointment. Chap lains are required to render to the adjutant-gen eral of the army monthly reports of ditties per formed. and keep a record of all marriage. bap
tismal. and funeral services performed by them. In time of war, or on active service• chaplains are assigned to the various units of command.
In the United States Navy there are 24 chap lains, who perform religious duties on board naval vessels; 4 with the rank of captain. 7 with the rank of commander, and 13 with the rank of lieutenant. The pay of a ehaplain during the first five years after date of his conunission is $25o0 per annum while at sea. :!43000 when on duty. and :i;'1600 when on leave or await ing orders; the eorresponding rates of pay after Lye years are S23110. and SIMa).
Chaplains are a part of the establishment of all European armies, attendance at the regula tion religious services conducted by them hieing compulsory for all officers and men, except in the French Army and Navy. In the British Army the Chaplain's Department is under the control of the chaplain-general.