 253, War Department, Washington, D.C., on 28 December 1909.One enlisted man would then be detailed and placed on special duty, by the commanding officer of any organization to which a chaplain is assigned for duty, to assist the chaplain in the performance of his official duties.Although "high moral character was required, no prerequisites or recognized criteria for performance"

In 1927 and 1933, the Chaplain Corps made suggestions to the Secretary of War to provide a small Corps of specialized enlisted men through the efforts proved to be unsuccessful..