DA Form 5505: Chaplain Training Record Guide (2026)

DA Form 5505: Chaplain Training Record Guide (2026) – U.S. Army chaplains and chaplain assistants play a vital role in providing religious support, moral leadership, and spiritual guidance to Soldiers and their families. Proper documentation of professional development and training is essential for career progression, readiness, and compliance with Army regulations. DA Form 5505, titled Chaplain/Chaplain Assistant Training Record, serves as the official tool for tracking this critical information.

What Is DA Form 5505?

DA Form 5505 is a Department of the Army (DA) form designed specifically to record training, education, and professional development activities for Army chaplains (officers in the Chaplain Corps) and chaplain assistants (enlisted Religious Affairs Specialists, MOS 56M).

It captures:

  • Institutional training (e.g., Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course – CHBOLC, advanced courses at the U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership).
  • Sustainment and mission-specific training.
  • Self-development and continuing education.
  • Unit-level or decentralized training events.

Note on Availability: This form appears in historical versions of AR 165-1 (e.g., 2000 and 2004 editions) but is not prominently listed as a current prescribed form on the Army Publishing Directorate (APD) site in recent searches. Many units now use digital systems like the Army Training Requirements and Resources System (ATRRS), IPERMS, or electronic training records. Always check with your unit chaplain, S-1, or the Office of the Chief of Chaplains (OCCH) for the latest version or approved alternatives.

Why Is DA Form 5505 Important?

  • Career Management: Training records support promotion boards, assignments, and professional development requirements under the Army Chaplain Corps Life Cycle Model.
  • Readiness: Ensures chaplains and assistants maintain qualifications for religious support in garrison, deployment, and mobilization scenarios.
  • Compliance: Aligns with AR 165-1 Army Chaplain Corps Activities, which outlines responsibilities for training management. Supervisory Unit Ministry Teams (UMTs) use it to guide subordinate development.
  • Reserve Component Integration: Critical for Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve personnel balancing civilian ministry with military duties.

Maintaining accurate records helps demonstrate completion of required professional military education (PME), clinical pastoral education, and specialized religious support training.

How to Use and Fill Out DA Form 5505?

While specific block-by-block instructions are form-dependent, typical entries include:

  1. Personal Information: Name, rank, MOS/branch, unit, and dates.
  2. Training Events: Course title, location, dates, hours completed, and certifying authority.
  3. Type of Training: Categorize as initial qualification, sustainment, leadership, or mission-specific.
  4. Verification: Signatures from supervisors, trainers, or chaplain mentors.

Best Practices:

  • Update the form after every significant training event.
  • Retain copies in personal records and submit to personnel files as required.
  • Integrate with other documents like DA Form 1059 (Service School Academic Evaluation Report) or ATRRS transcripts.

For official fillable versions, visit the Army Publishing Directorate (APD) at armypubs.army.mil or contact your local chaplain staff. Avoid unofficial third-party sites for sensitive military forms.

The U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership (USAIRL, formerly USACHCS) oversees much of this training. Key programs include:

  • Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course (CHBOLC).
  • Captains Career Course equivalents.
  • Advanced courses in religious support leadership, fund management, and clinical pastoral education.
  • Ongoing professional development for moral leadership and resilience.

Chaplain assistants receive parallel training focused on religious operations support.

Download and Resources

  • Official Source: Search “DA Form 5505” on armypubs.army.mil (or request through your chain of command if not publicly listed).
  • Governing Regulation: AR 165-1 Army Chaplain Corps Activities (latest versions emphasize training responsibilities).
  • Additional Guidance: DA PAM 165-17 (Chaplain Personnel Management) and TRADOC resources.

Pro Tip for Users: If the form is obsolete in your command, transition to digital equivalents while ensuring all training is captured for evaluations and boards.

Conclusion: Stay Mission-Ready

Accurate use of DA Form 5505 (or its modern successors) ensures Army chaplains and chaplain assistants remain fully qualified to deliver essential religious and spiritual support. Whether you’re Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve, prioritizing training documentation strengthens your career and the Chaplain Corps’ ability to serve Soldiers.

For personalized assistance, consult your supervisory chaplain or unit training manager. Always reference current Army regulations, as policies evolve.