Chaplain Uniforms
The chaplain’s uniform has changed over the years, from resembling a simple cleric’s suit to the same as other officers. This page will attempt to document the development of chaplains’ uniforms over the years, however even during the same periods there were varieties in the uniforms that chaplains wore.
By 1882, the chaplain uniform consisted of the Civil War-era plain black frock coat “with braid excluded from [the] overcoat sleeves by General Order No. 92 of 187… Circular No. 1, in 1884, “prescribed that chaplains should wear the uniform called ‘undress for officers’ but should not wear the full dress chapeau of staff officers. In 1897, regulations made this uniform optional with a frock coat with falling collar and authorized the wearing of vestments while conducting services.
“General Order No. 169 of 1907 gave chaplains a black frock coat as their full dress uniform, but they were to wear the same dress, service, and white coats as other officers…A black hat was prescribed with the dress and full dress uniforms, but chaplains wore the same caps or hats as other officers with the white and service coats” Honeywell, pg. 157)
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1780, Revolutionary War, Chaplain Caldwell
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1783, Revolutionary War, Chaplain Gano
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1860s, Civil War Chaplain LeVere
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1860s, Civil War Union Chaplain A.A. Harris
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1860s, Civil War Union Chaplain
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1860s, Civil War Union Chaplain
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1860s, Civil War Union Chaplain
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1860s, Civil War Union Chaplain
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1860s, Civil War Confederate Cavalry Chaplain
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1890s, New York National Guard Chaplain
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Chaplain frock coat from 1890s. Difference from Civil War-era coats found mainly around the back flaps (NCWCM).
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1898, Chaplain Henry Brown
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1900s (early) Chaplain William W. Brander of the 8th Cavalry.
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WW1 uniform belonging to Chaplain Walter O. Lewis, 90th ID (photo from U.S. Militaria Forum)
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WW1 Dress uniform coat (Photo courtesy Chaplain Bob Nay).
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1925, Chaplain (Col) John T. Axton & son, Jr., both Army chaplains
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1931, Chaplain DuBell
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WW2 dress uniform belonging to Chaplain Dale Small (photo courtesy Chaplain Bob Nay)
WW2 “Ike” jacket belonging to Chaplain Dale Small (photo courtesy Chaplain Bob Nay).
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1940s, chaplain deployed to New Guinea (Army Air Corps)
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Vietnam War, the chaplain’s name was “Chaplain” (photo courtesy of Chaplain Bob Nay).
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Desert Storm “chocolate chip” desert camouflage (photo courtesy of Chaplain Bob Nay).
The Chaplain Kit 