Faithfully Serve
Those Who Serve Us

Military and First Responder Coaching is a specialized, non-clinical approach to supporting the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of veterans, active-duty personnel, first responders, and their families. Coaches are trained to offer faith-based, trauma-informed care within a clearly defined and ethical scope of practice. These coaches are not licensed therapists. Instead, they are equipped to help individuals manage stress, build resilience, and work through challenges related to trauma, moral injury, burnout, and life transitions. They also support families dealing with the ongoing impact of service-related experiences.

Military and First Responder Coaches use structured, biblically grounded coaching strategies that encourage personal growth and emotional health. They may work in ministry settings, peer support roles, or alongside licensed professionals to help individuals take meaningful steps toward healing and recovery. This type of coaching does not replace clinical care but can provide a valuable layer of support before, during, or after therapy. It is especially effective during seasons of transition or when ongoing care is needed beyond what clinical services can offer.

A good candidate for Military and First Responder Coaching is someone with a heart to serve and the humility to listen. This role is ideal for individuals who feel called to support veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, or their families—whether through church ministry, peer support, or coaching.

Many who pursue this certification have lived experience in military or frontline professions, or have family members who serve. Others come from pastoral care, chaplaincy, counseling support roles, or simply want to walk with those facing trauma, grief, stress, and life transition.
Coaches do not need to be licensed clinicians. They need to be teachable, emotionally grounded, and willing to learn how to coach ethically and effectively. The most important qualities are compassion, cultural awareness, and a commitment to offering biblically based, evidence-informed care.

A Military and First Responder Coach provides non-clinical, faith-based support to veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families. Their role is to help clients navigate the emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges that often come with a life of service.

These coaches use structured conversations, goal setting, and biblically grounded principles to support growth in areas such as stress management, emotional resilience, family dynamics, moral injury, and identity after service. They create a safe and respectful space for individuals to process experiences, build coping strategies, and pursue personal healing.

Military and First Responder Coaches do not diagnose mental health conditions or provide therapy. Instead, they stay within a defined scope of practice, working alongside churches, ministries, peer support networks, or clinical professionals when needed.

The coach’s role is to listen well, ask meaningful questions, and help clients move forward with clarity, purpose, and renewed strength.

Thanks to a special scholarship, the Military and First Responder Coaching Program is available for just $249, plus a $36 technology fee, bringing the total to $285.

Flexible payment options are available through Affirm, allowing you to spread the cost over time. Payment plans may require a credit check and are subject to eligibility. You can select this option at checkout.

The Military and First Responder Coaching Certification Program includes over 24 hours of self-paced, online training. You can complete the course on your own schedule, with up to one full year from the date of enrollment to finish.

Some students complete the course in just a few weeks, while others spread it out over several months based on their availability. The flexible format is designed to fit your life and ministry.

Upon completion, you will meet the educational requirements to apply for certification through the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC).

When you enroll in the Military and First Responder Coaching Program, you receive full access to the course for one full year from your registration date. This gives you the flexibility to complete the training at your own pace, whether in a few weeks or over several months. All videos, materials, and resources remain available during that time.

If your access expires before you finish, you can extend it for an additional year by paying a $46 technology fee.

Once you complete Military and First Responder Coaching Program, you’ve met the educational requirements to apply for certification as a Military and First Responder Coach through the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC). While certification is not legally required or required to complete the course, it is strongly recommended for those who want to coach with excellence, credibility, and confidence. Certification signals that you are biblically grounded, well-trained, and committed to ethical, whole-person coaching in both faith-based and community settings.

Final certification requirements will be announced soon. In the meantime, completing both courses ensures you’re on the right path toward becoming a certified Military and First Responder Coach.

No prior experience or formal training is required to enroll in the Military and First Responder Coaching Certification Program. This course is designed for anyone who feels called to support veterans, first responders, or their families with greater skill, confidence, and clarity.

Whether you are a coach, pastor, chaplain, ministry leader, peer supporter, or simply someone with a heart to help, this program will equip you with biblically grounded, trauma-informed coaching strategies that are both practical and compassionate.

The training is especially valuable for those already serving in people-helping roles, but it is also accessible to those who are just getting started. You will learn how to serve ethically, stay within scope, and apply evidence-informed tools that make a lasting difference.

Upon successful completion, you will receive a certificate of completion for each course, suitable for printing, in your TalentLMS account from Light University. These certificates can be downloaded, added to your résumé and professional portfolio, or shared on social media platforms such as LinkedIn or Facebook.

This is a specialization program through Light University, not a standalone diploma program. Individuals who have completed the Mental Health Coaching Program will receive a Master Diploma in Mental Health Coaching: Military and First Responder Mental Health Coaching.

Yes. The Military and First Responder Mental Health Coaching Program provides 24 CE hours that may be applied toward continuing education requirements for coaches, including those pursuing credentialing or continuing education through the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC). Please confirm eligibility with your specific credentialing body.

This course is designed to help mental health professionals expand their understanding of the dynamics and issues faced by active-duty service members, veterans, first responders, and their families, and to apply this knowledge in client care. However, it is not approved for NBCC continuing education credit and does not qualify for CE credit toward licensure renewal for mental health professionals.