Fromed:
23 September 1796
Role:
Caring for the Army's people
Specialism:
Pastoral Care, spiritual support and moral guidance
- Support troops and their families whenever they need it
- Travel wherever their Unit goes
- Experience ministry in a wide variety of settings in the UK and overseas
- Provide leadership but do not command
- Are non-combatant and do not bear arms
- Wear the uniform of the British Army
- Initially receive a six-year distinctive King’s commission with a minimum period of three years’ return of service
Unit assignments for Regular chaplains generally last between two and three years.
Endorsing Authorities recognised by the MOD are:
Christian
Anglican Communion, Assemblies of God, Baptist Union of Great Britain, Church of Scotland, Free Church of Scotland, Churches in Communities International, Congregational Federation, Elim Pentecostal, Free Churches Group, Methodist, Church of the Nazarene, Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Roman Catholic, United Reformed Church, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, or the Salvation Army.
World Faith Traditions
Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim or Sikh Faith Communities.
Non-Religious
Humanists UK Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network.
Beckett House is the Tri-service Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre.
Located in Shrivenham, it is home to Chaplaincy training for the three services and delivers and a variety of courses for MOD personnel.
Armed Forces Chaplaincy CentreA vocation as an Army Chaplain or Non-Religious Pastoral Officer
Do you have the skills, training and knowledge that the Army needs?
The Royal Army Chaplains’ Department is an increasingly diverse and multi-cultural organisation which recruits both religious and non-religious personnel. We welcome enquiries and accept applications from people who meet the following criteria:
Be in good standing with their relevant belief or faith community.
Be accredited as a qualified chaplain/minister or equivalent practitioner in their relevant belief or faith community and have sufficient current or recent professional experience from their civilian context.
Be able to demonstrate professional currency as well as an expectation of a minimum of two - three years' post-accreditation experience, or equivalent, in a leadership capacity in a pastoral context.
The selection process involves endorsement by an Endorsing Authority representing your belief or faith community. Endorsing Authorities recognised by the MOD can be found on the Endorsing Authorities tab above.
The role of Army Chaplains
The purpose of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department is to care for the Army’s people. Our Chaplains, who are Professionally Qualified Officers, deliver pastoral care to everyone, provide or facilitate spiritual support and give moral guidance to the whole force and their families irrespective of faith, world philosophy or status.
You will play a key role in improving the Army’s culture and behaviours to forge a winning team by:
- Delivering pastoral care to everyone at home and abroad
- Providing or facilitating spiritual support publicly and privately, at every level of the Army
- Offering moral guidance and ethical leadership to Service personnel and the Chain of Command
Regular Chaplain
You must be under the age of 54 years at the time you commission into the RAChD and be medically and physically fit. The selection process involves a familiarisation visit to meet serving chaplains at an Army camp. There are security, child protection and medical checks and clearances.
You then attend the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) at Westbury which consists of physical and mental aptitude assessments, intelligence tests, planning tasks and written work.
Following selection by the RAChD you will undertake initial training at the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre, Shrivenham followed by the Commissioning Course (Short) at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
Reservist Chaplain
You must be under the age of 54 years at the time you commission into the RAChD and be medically and physically fit. The selection process involves a familiarisation visit to meet serving chaplains at an Army camp. There are security, child protection and medical checks and clearances.
You then attend the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) at Westbury which consists of physical and mental aptitude assessments, intelligence tests, planning tasks and written work.
Following selection by the RAChD you will be assigned to a Reserve unit as close as possible to your place of civilian ministry and undertake initial training at the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre, Shrivenham. Within the first two years of commissioning, you will also train at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
Your ministry will involve visiting your soldiers on their weeknight training, accompanying them on weekend exercises and attending a two-week annual camp. With the consent of your Endorsing Authority you may be mobilised on operational duty.
Army Cadet Force (ACF) Chaplain
You should be under the age of 55 years (or 60 with previous military service) at the time you commission and be able to offer a three-year commitment.
There are security and child protection checks and clearances. You will be required to attend interviews with the Regional Senior Chaplain followed by attendance at a regional Army Cadets Commissions Board where your suitability to work in the Army Cadets will be further assessed.
Following successful selection, you will be attached to a county or area ACF, where you will undergo basic familiarisation supported by a Senior Regular Chaplain and an experienced ACF Chaplain. You will undertake initial training at the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre, Shrivenham and have the opportunity to attend further annual continuation training.
Your principal commitment is to the annual camp which generally lasts between 10 and 14 days. You would also be expected to visit training evenings and weekends.
Being an Army chaplain is an extraordinary way of serving; one in which I am challenged constantly – both spiritually and physically. It feels like a daily privilege to be part of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department, working with my fellow chaplains in the pastoral, spiritual and moral support of all our soldiers and their families.
Timeline - Past to Present
From before 1066, Armies have taken clergy with them to war. The roles of chaplains within the military have changed significantly but their presence has remained as important as ever.
The Army Chaplains' Department formed under the first Chaplain General, the Reverend John Gamble.
The Crimean War. 26,000 troops with one deployable chaplain; the Reverend Henry Press Wright. The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel financed more chaplains. Eventually sixty deployed; twelve died.
The Reverend James William Adams was the first clergyman to be awarded the Victoria Cross.
Chaplains became synonymous with the bringing of comfort, care and compassion to those caught up in WW1. Prefix ‘Royal’ granted by the King in 1919 following WW1.
WW2 saw chaplains learning new skills like parachuting with new formations such as Airborne Forces. Chaplains sustained captives in far east prison camps and the Burma-Siam railway.
Since 1945, chaplains have continued to serve wherever British soldiers are sent. The conflicts may change but the call, care, compassion and prayer remains constant.
Interested in becoming an Army Chaplain?
To apply as a Reservist chaplain follow this link https://jobs.army.mod.uk/roles/royal-army-chaplains-department/chaplain/?role=res
To apply as a Regular chaplain click below.
How to Apply - RegularContact Us
Contact us to find out more about a vocation to serve in the Royal Army Chaplains' Department.
Email: [email protected]
Address: Army Headquarters, MOD Chaps(A), Second Floor, IDL 3, Blenheim Building, Marlborough Lines, Monxton Road, Andover, Hampshire SP11 8HJ