Where and when was the first unofficial school for religious affairs specialists established?

• A. 1933, San Antonio, Texas
• B. 1920, Fort Hood, Texas
• C. 1933, Fort Benning, Georgia
• D. 1935, San Antonio, Texas

Answer: (A)

Training for religious support in the Army started with informal, locally organized schooling to prepare soldiers to assist chaplains and run religious services. In 1933, an unofficial school for religious affairs specialists was established in San Antonio, Texas. This early program provided practical instruction on supporting religious services, counseling soldiers, and coordinating with chaplains, laying the groundwork for later formal training pipelines. The San Antonio location reflects the Army’s early emphasis on integrating religious support into unit life, and the year marks the starting point of structured, though not yet official, preparation for these roles.