A. James Rudin at Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Facility, Japan, 1962. For nearly twenty years, from 1950 until 1969, there was a significant practice in American Jewish seminaries and rabbinical associations, a practice whose memory is quickly becoming enveloped by the mists of historical forgetfulness. During these years, newly ordained rabbis were systematically “drafted” into the United States armed forces to serve as military chaplains. Unlike the Selective Service draft, these were self imposed policies developed within the religious communities. Because of church-state separation, legislation could not be used to draft clergy into military service; in fact, a 1917 federal law specifically provided for clergy exemptions. As a result, many religious communities were compelled to develop policies and strategies to ensure that a sufficient number of clergy served in the military.
The first American Jewish chaplain served on the Union side during the Civil War. Tere were 23 rabbis who served during World War I, and that number rose to 311 in World War II when, it is estimated, more than 600,000 American Jews were members of the U.S. armed forces. However, few rabbis made the military their career following demobilization at the end of the war in 1945. Therefore, when the Korean conflict began in June 1950, it necessitated a rapid buildup of military personnel, and the U.S. government responded by broadening the Selective Service process to include physicians, dentists, optometrists, lawyers, and members of other professions. As a result, an increased number of clergy was required to meet the needs of a larger military force, including 150,000 Jews on active duty during the Korean War and, later, 30,000 Jews during the Vietnam War.
The first American Jewish chaplain served on the Union side during the Civil War. Tere were 23 rabbis who served during World War I, and that number rose to 311 in World War II when, it is estimated, more than 600,000 American Jews were members of the U.S. armed forces. However, few rabbis made the military their career following demobilization at the end of the war in 1945. Therefore, when the Korean conflict began in June 1950, it necessitated a rapid buildup of military personnel, and the U.S. government responded by broadening the Selective Service process to include physicians, dentists, optometrists, lawyers, and members of other professions. As a result, an increased number of clergy was required to meet the needs of a larger military force, including 150,000 Jews on active duty during the Korean War and, later, 30,000 Jews during the Vietnam War.
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