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PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION
Air Force Chaplain Corps |
| The privilege of having absolute and total confidentiality in communications with United States Air Force chaplains is an essential component of the chaplain's ministry. Although the absolute policy against any Air Force-compelled disclosure has been in place for several years (see AFM 52-103, Atch 10), some have questioned whether chaplains may exercise their own personal or professional discretion in disclosing information received in the course of practicing their ministry. The privilege of absolute confidentiality in communications with chaplains belongs to the client, not to the chaplain. There are no circumstances where a chaplain can disclose information revealed in the practice of his or her ministry without the client's informed permission. Similary, Air Force authorities will never require a chaplain to disclose privileged information for any reason whatsoever. There should be no misunderstanding: It is the policy of the United States Air Force Chaplain Corps that under no circumstances (except with the client's consent) will a chaplain ever compromise the privilege by disclosing information revealed in a confidential setting. Actions inconsistent with this policy may constitute a failure to meet Air Force standards, with resulting adverse consequences.
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