Last week I posted this interesting item on deacons who serve as military chaplains in Canada.

Now Roman Catholic Vocations has a follow up, with more details from the United States. The item below comes from the AMS (Archdiocese for the Military Services) website:

The Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS) does not provide a training and education program for deacons nor does it fund such a program. With few exceptions, all training and education is carried out under the auspices of a civilian (arch)diocese in the United States. It should be noted, however, that not all (arch)dioceses conduct such programs. Military members wishing to learn more about the diaconate should contact the nearest (arch)diocese in the U.S. to inquire about its diaconate formation program.

There are two ways in which deacons presently serve the AMS: (1) on active duty in uniform or (2) in a civilian capacity. Deacons on active duty function on a full-time basis in their primary military occupational specialty while providing support to a local military Catholic priest-chaplain as deacon on a part-time basis.

No deacons are ordained for service to the Archdiocese for the Military Services. A man is ordained a deacon for service to a specific (arch)diocese, even though he may be on active duty in the military or supporting the military in a civilian capacity. The presumption is, in each case, that a deacon on active duty in the military will report to the (arch)diocese for which he is ordained upon completion of his military duty unless the local Ordinary determines or permits otherwise.

Every deacon who wishes to minister within the Military Archdiocese— whether on a U.S. military installation or at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center, must first receive written permission from his Ordinary before applying to the Military Archbishop for faculties. Additionally, his ministry must be specifically requested by the senior priest-chaplain of that installation who, in turn, will act as the deacon’s supervisor.

The duties carried out by deacons in the Military Archdiocese are essentially the same as those performed in civilian parishes. The deacon may be authorized to preach, carry the Blessed Sacrament to the sick at home or in hospitals, distribute Holy Communion during Mass or at other times; baptize, witness marriages, provide religious instructions, prepare individuals and couples for marriage, coordinate or direct programs for religious education and engage in various other activities under the supervision of the senior Catholic priest-chaplain.

Some of his ecclesiastical responsibilities may parallel, complement or be complemented by the work of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs), lay leaders, lectors, Directors of Religious Education and others.

The deacon in military uniform ordinarily will not be financially remunerated for his work. A deacon serving the military community as a civilian may receive financial remuneration, but this would be an arrangement made by him through military or VA channels.

Finally, in answer to questions concerning deacons serving as “chaplains” in the AMS, only ordained Catholic priests may minister with the title “chaplain” since they enjoy the faculties proper to the priesthood and, therefore, can celebrate Mass and provide the faithful with all the sacraments.