The Catholic Military Apostolate of the United States is intentionally structured to meet service members where they are—across every duty station, operational tempo, and stage of military life. Because no two installations are alike, CMA-US operates through a scalable local model that allows the mission of sanctifying military life to take root anywhere.
This approach ensures that Catholic service members can live the CMA-US Rule of Life and participate in authentic community without waiting for ideal conditions or large numbers.
At the most basic level, CMA-US operates through Squads—small groups of 3–7 members who commit to living the Rule of Life together in the context of daily military duty.
Squads are:
Informal, mobile, and highly relational
Centered on prayer, accountability, and fraternity
Designed to function in high-tempo units, remote installations, or austere environments
A Squad is the fastest and most accessible way to establish a visible Catholic presence. If you have two or three fellow Catholics willing to pray together and live the Rule, you already have what you need to begin.
Stop waiting for a Chapter. Find your three. Start a Squad.
As Squads multiply and mature, they naturally form or integrate into a Local Chapter.
Chapters are:
A gathering of multiple Squads or a larger existing military Catholic community
A stable and visible home for Catholic life on an installation
Structured to endure across PCS cycles and leadership transitions
Chapters provide the “garrison” stability necessary for long-term mission sustainment, hosting larger gatherings, coordinating with chaplains, and representing CMA-US at the installation level.
Whether participating in a Squad or a Chapter, all CMA-US members are united under:
A shared Rule of Life in our member pledges.
Ecclesiastical recognition within the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
A national network that supports continuity across assignments
This connectivity ensures that no member ever has to start over when military life requires a move—only to redeploy.
We cultivate Catholic life across all military installations through a scalable model. If you already have a Chapter near you, click below. If not, you can start right away by forming a Squad with two or more Catholic service members or joining our online National Chapter.
Our goal is to have a presence wherever U.S. military members serve! New local communities are forming all the time, check out our list of chapters by clicking the link above!
Connect with a local chapter and take CMA-US with you wherever your duty may call. Be a part of our growing network of Military Catholics around the globe! Join our WhatsApp Community using the link in your welcome email.
Several U.S. service members who were involved with the Catholic Military Association of Our Lady of Victories in the United Kingdom met online in February of 2022 to form a similar organization in the U.S.
A planning group was officially formed on Ash Wednesday at the start of Lent in 2022.
Provided Pastoral Support by Archbishop Timothy Broglio and canonically recognized by the AMS in October of 2023.
Incorporated as a non-profit corporation in February 2024.