BMT: Chapel Services
Keep the Faith at BMT
The folks that BMT understands that it’s a stressful, challenging experience and environment. Contrary to a popular belief when you’re down there, they actually want you to be successful and do well in the Air Force! Think about it – it’s fiscally unwise to send people down there if they’re not going to be up for it or if they don’t have what it takes. As my MTI used to say, their first priority is your safety and well-being.
All of that being said, they recognize that faith can be a powerful motivator and coping mechanism for trainees during this time. BMT offers one of the widest varieties of chapel services, exclusively for trainees. In fact, the only time anyone else is permitted to attend is during graduation weekend, when your family may accompany you. Otherwise, you won’t see permanent party Airmen (other than chaplains assigned there or tech schoolers serving as chapel guides) there at the service. Once you get to your first duty station, you won’t see this sort of variety, as you’ll be able to go off-base to meet your faith needs.
Available Services
Per the BMT Factsheets, the following services are available:
- Protestant (e.g. Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc.)
- Liturgical Protestant (e.g. Episcopal, Lutheran, Congregational, etc.)
- Catholic
- Jewish
- Eastern Orthodox
- Muslim
- Pentecostal
- Seventh-Day Adventist
- Church of Christ
- Christian Science
- Latter-day Saints
- Eckankar
- Wicca
- Baha’i
- Buddhist
- Hindu
Additional Services and Supports

Attending Services
BMT Getting to Chapel

BMT Chapel Expectations
What If I Don’t Go?
Do not fool yourself into thinking that if you stay behind during services that you’ll get to sneak in a nap or write letters. Letter writing is limited to personal time. If you do finish all of the deep details to perfection, studying the BMTSG is always an option, as is rolling and folding in your personal area. I also used that time to distribute laundry.
Religious Material
Yes! You can bring a bible, prayer book, devotional, and/or another piece of religious text with you to BMT. These are the only authorized books in the training environment, aside from your BMTSG. You can rest assured that you will not be criticized or judged by your MTI for having these materials with you. Keep in mind that these must be stored in the back of your security drawer, which is limited in space. If you can find a smaller version of your desired text, that would be ideal. This is not the time to break out the large family bible and take it along. These books can be utilized during the personal time [typically at the end of the night], during chapel, and during your religious education class.
Yes! You are allowed to wear a religious necklace or pendant to BMT. Aside from wedding rings [not engagement rings], these are the only authorized pieces of jewelry that you can wear at BMT. Remember that BMT is a rough and non-forgiving environment. I would be hesitant about bringing anything that is sentimental to you or that may be a family heirloom. If you would like to wear a religious necklace that can withstand the abuse that BMT will dish out, most clothing sales stores on military installations sell GI Jewelry, which is designed to meet military specifications as well.
Baptism in BMT
If you’ve never been baptized and are interested in becoming baptized while at BMT, you’re in luck! They offer that service, at least in the Contemporary chapel services. The chaplains will give you information on which day you can attend an informational meeting/class, and which day you can be baptized. These events are held in the afternoon on Sundays after the Contemporary services are finished. When I was at BMT, they typically held one of each type of event a month, so the class would be held on one Sunday of the month, and baptisms were conducted on another Sunday of the month. Trainees being baptized had to bring their PT clothes and a towel to chapel that day, so I’m assuming that it’s more than just a sprinkling of holy water, although I’m not sure.
Any other questions? Just leave a comment if I haven’t addressed something that you’d like to know about the chapel!

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8 Comments
makuahinesaid
Hi Erin, I've been reading through your blog today as I'm wanting to get started in the recruiting process for the AF Reserve (I'm 30, married, w/ kids, going the officer route since that's my only option). I've emailed and called my recruiter and hope he calls back soon so we can get the ball rolling.Thanks for this post. I'm a Christian, and I wondered if I would be able to go to church on Sunday, worship, do bible study, etc. That's awesome that it's available. I'll probably comment again later as questions come up and as I take the next steps in the recruiting process. Thanks again for all of the helpful insight and tips!
Anelasaid
Sorry, my name is Anela, not makuahine. I haven't used Blogger in a while, just updated it now.
Erinsaid
@Anela – No problem about the name switch! 😉 Why do you say that the officer route is your only option? I know the religious services you mentioned are available at BMT for enlisted folks, but I'm not sure about OTS (Officer Training School) because I haven't been there yet. I would assume they would give you the same opportunities, as the AF understands that personal/spiritual/family is a source of strength for people during challenging times. Best of luck to you during the recruiting process!
Erika Ssaid
This comment has been removed by the author.
Erika Ssaid
This comment has been removed by the author.
Erika Ssaid
Do you know if you can worship on Saturday? I am a Seventh-day Adventist.(I apologize for all of the deleted comments. My computer is glitching.)
Erinsaid
@Erika S. – Yes, our Seventh-Day Adventists were able to worship on Saturdays. No problem about the commenting issues!
Sarahsaid
Hi, Erin. I am in the process of enlisting and I was just wondering if I will be allowed to attend chapel services from different religions, not just the one listed on my forms. I was raised Christian (though at this point I'm more of an agnostic), and I'm curious to learn more about other religions. I come from a small town with very limited variety, so the selection at Basic would be an excellent opportunity. (I asked my brother, who is in the Army, and he said that they had a choice every week and that everyone attended the Jewish service because there were bagels.)