WASHINGTON -- Military officials said they have stepped up efforts to recruit chaplains.

Chaplains are referred to as "force multipliers" because, officials said, they dramatically increase the effectiveness of combat units.

Major Mike Jason of the Army, who recently returned to the U.S. from Iraq, said the need for chaplains cannot be underestimated.

"Young troopers are seeing for the first time they deploy away from home horrifying things that they need to put into context. They've got tough questions. 'Am I doing the right thing?' And a chaplain is just a critical piece of leadership that is essential on the battlefield," said Jason.

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The Pentagon has begun offering incentives to attract chaplains, such as signing bonuses and college scholarships.

"They're facing death, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan and overseas right now. And it's an opportunity to really just come alongside them, to encourage them, to lift them up," said aspiring chaplain Wayne Stinchcomb.

Some chaplains said they believe increasing troop numbers depends on support from religious leaders.

"The churches have to be willing to send more than the cookies and the letters. They got to send us some of their younger pastors. And, you know, sometimes that's a sacrifice because that's the guy they like," said Chaplain Ran Dolinger of the Army Chief of Chaplain's office.

Stinchcomb said he knows he could end up in Iraq in the next few years. He also said that as he finishes his master's degree in divinity, he will pray that more men and women of faith follow his example.

Army officials said the Army likes to have one chaplain for every 500 soldiers -- the size of a battalion. But, they said, the current ratio is closer to one for every 600 soldiers. Commanders said if they do not see an increase in the number of chaplains, they will consider assigning higher-ranking chaplains to units.