Legal Question in Military Law in Texas

Air Force Chaplain Confidentiality

Air Force chaplains (probably all military chaplains) always tout their privilege of "absolute confidentiality." This has been true for at least my 17 years of active duty (I'm not a chaplain).

Do Air Force (military) chaplains enjoy absolute confidentiality or are they subject to existing duty-to-warn statutes (Tarasoff) which apply to counselors, psychologists, and psychotherapists?


Asked on 1/14/98, 10:10 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Harold M. Weiner Coles & Weiner, P.C.

Air Force Chaplain Confidentiality

1. Ask the Chaplain first, before telling her or him anything, if in fact she or he mustreport to the Command, or testify as to whatyou say in a court martial or administrativeboard. Ask for the specific regulation givingeither the mandate to tell or the protectionyou seek. And even then, don't trust it. Bestyou go off base and seek a clergyman of yourchoice, if possible.

The above preliminary discussion is not intended as legal advice.You are notified that we only give such advicein areas of law that we are fully qualifiedby virtue of training and experience; that weare licensed ONLY in New York and Maine, and the Federal court system.. There is nosubstitute for sitting down face to face withan attorney, to protect your rights under law,and to determine your obligations. We are your attorneys only if you have entered intoa written retainer agreement with the firm ofColes & Weiner, P.C. We reserve the right to reject any potential client for any reason.

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Answered on 1/21/98, 6:27 pm


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