Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course

CHBOLC CHBOLC

CHBOLC is an intensive, outcomes-based, entry-level, initial military training process. The training and special activities during this course provide unique opportunities for professional, physical, academic, and spiritual growth. The CHBOLC Program of Instruction consists of 64 training days excluding weekends and federal holidays. See the CHBOLC Smartbook for descriptions of each phase.

 

Course Outcomes: Graduates of CHBOLC will be adaptive officers and religious professionals steeped in the profession of arms, technically and tactically competent, confident, and capable of making independent assessments in complex environments through focused spiritual leadership and critical thinking. Graduates will demonstrate the core competencies to nurture the living, care for the wounded, and honor the fallen while advising commanders and providing religious support to the Army Family.


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Resources Resources

Training Resources

CHBOLC Smartbook - AUG 18 (pdf) 

How to Develop Training for Battalion Chaplains - AUG 18 (doc)

Central Army Registry

Army Publishing Directorate

Chaplain IMI Storyboard (pdf) 

Subject Matter Expert Training Portals (access to smartbooks)

The U.S. Army Learning Concept for Training and Education (pdf)

 

How to Develop Training for Battalion Chaplains

1.  Determine Training Needs.  The first step in developing effective training is to determine training needs.  Consider the following to determine training needs: Chief of Chaplains Annual Training Guidance, unit mission, unit orders, unit METL, commander’s intent, commander’s lines of effort, and needs analysis based on observation/assessment of chaplains in conjunction with Individual Critical Task List for Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course.

2.  Consult the CHBOLC Smartbook.  The smartbook provides an overview of training provided in the Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course.  As such, it is a good, initial reference point to develop training for battalion chaplains.

3.  Draft a Training Plan.  Based on time allotted for training and resources available develop a training plan.  Draft a training plan that is progressive in nature.  For example – before training on the conduct of field religious services, conduct training in analyzing mission variables (METT-TC), reading an operations order, and staff coordination.  The last three help insure that the chaplain understands the environment and coordinates for conduct of a field religious service. 

4.  Develop Training Goals.  Supervisors need to execute steps 6, 7, and 8 as applicable IOT develop appropriate training goals.  Example: “All battalion UMTs will develop a Tab-D, Religious Support for the upcoming exercise.”  Notice the goal defines an outcome (the development of a Tab-D) and specifies who will produce it (all battalion UMTs). 

5.  Assign Training Responsibilities.  Consider the following when assigning training responsibilities: the complexity of the goal, prior knowledge or skills of battalion UMT members, other mission requirements, resources (time, equipment, supplies, people, facilities) available for training, resources required for training, and other factors.  Complete the training plan by assigning training responsibilities (lead trainer/POC), providing a timeline, and resourcing the training.  A good timeline for training development will include a minimum of one IPR.  Leaders conduct IPRs IOT identify and resolve issues before training execution.

6.  Consult Applicable Task(s) in Central Army Registry (CAR).  Tasks are how the Army trains.  Persons responsible for training should consult tasks appropriate to the training.  A task serves as the basic guide for training and evaluation.  To find a list of all critical tasks required of a Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course graduate, seach for Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course ICTL on the CAR.  On the ICTL, you will find hyperlinks to each critical task.  See the sample task (Plan Religious Support for Unified Land Operations) retrieved from the CAR.  The sample task includes highlights and notes to assist in the development of training.  With the task in hand, continue to step 7.  See the smartbook for information on how to access tasks via the CAR.

7.  Consult Required References in Army Publishing Directorate (APD).  Tasks often list required references.  Each content area in the CHBOLC Smartbook lists key references.  APD is the central repository for all standard Army publications (AR, FM, ADP, ADRP, ATP, and ATTP).  Consult the required references for content associated with the task. 

8.  Consult the Chaplain Corps’ IMI Storyboard as Applicable.  The IMI Storyboard is a great digital reference that covers Memorials and Funerals, External Advisement, Religious Support Planning, Overview of Army Religious Support, and Internal Advisement.  Additionally, the IMI contains training aids and examples of many key chaplain corps deliverables.

9.  IPR: Identify Gaps in Information and Resources.  Prior to and during the IPR, the lead trainer and brigade chaplain identify gaps in the training.   

10.  Develop Interactive Training.  Develop interactive training using the gathered information and resources.  Interactive training uses concepts like the Army Learning Model (ALM) to increase training value.  Interactive training eliminates lecture and minimizes PowerPoint.  Interactive training makes the trainee responsible for growth and development.  In this approach, the trainer resources and sets the stage for training and learning.  The attached lesson plan and resources for Conduct a Memorial Ceremony is an example of training based on ALM.

11.  Execute the Training.

12.  Evaluate the Training.  Conduct an After Action Review (AAR) of the training.  Consult FM 6-0, chapter 16 to learn more about AARs.  See the attached AAR format.  Use the lessons learned from the AAR to improve future training.

 

Need further assistance?  Email the CHBOLC Developer.