Field Marshall William Slim knew firsthand of the arduousness of military service. Writing in his autobiography, on rebuilding the foundations of morale in a shattered 14th Army in Burma in 1942 he said, “morale, if it is to endure, must have certain foundations: spiritual; intellectual; and material. Spiritual first, because only spiritual foundations can stand real strain. Intellectual next, because people are swayed by reason as well as by feelings. Material last – important, but last because the very highest kinds of morale are often met when material conditions are lowest.”
Every day of the year, the people of the Royal Navy are deployed at sea defending the nation’s interests, placing pressure on our adversaries, and representing our country abroad. They do this often unseen and unthanked, but always in remarkable ways. The isolation from home, the pressures of the environment, and the challenges of changed plans, military action and unexpected events can cause disconnection of body, mind and spirit. Chaplaincy exists to build and strengthen the spirit not only of the individual, but of the whole ship’s company, boat’s crew or troop of Royal Marines.
Royal Naval Chaplaincy serves as ‘a friend and advisor to all on board’, from the recruit on their first day to the oldest and most senior members of the Service, and to their families. Chaplains serve not to pull people out of their battles in whatever form they take, but to strengthen them to fight with purpose and courage, and we do so by being alongside them, equipped with nothing more than ourselves and that which sustains us spiritually. We serve at and under the sea, on land, in training establishments, headquarters, dockyards and hospitals, wherever our people are.
Royal Naval Chaplaincy wants to recruit superb leaders who can underpin, build and sustain the spiritual foundations of our sailors, officers and Royal Marines, for both Regular (full time) and Reserve (part time) Commission. If you would like to know more, or discuss the role, please contact the Chaplain Recruiter, The Rev’d Alastair Blaine RN, on NAVYCHAPLAINCY-GROUPMAILBOX@mod.gov.uk or click the links above.
A little about the different roles:
Regular Chaplains are committed full time to the Royal Navy. They are based in one of the training establishments, dockyards, air stations, Royal Marine units around the country, largely close to the south coast between Cornwall and Portsmouth or on the Clyde in Scotland. They must be prepared to deploy with a ship or Royal Marine troop periodically, sometimes for many months and other times for much shorter periods, but the rest of the time they will work ‘shoreside’. They might have a Sunday congregation commitment, but the focus of the work will be during the working week. Sometimes they will work alone, especially when deployed, but at other times will work in ecumenical and multi-faith teams. Chaplains also provide 24/7 duty support to their units and areas on a roster basis.
Reserve Chaplains work part time within the Royal Navy as a complement to other work in civilian life. They are paid at the same rate as Regular Chaplains. Some Reservist Chaplains work predominantly with their Royal Naval Reserve Unit; others commit larger periods of time to support Royal Navy Establishments; other serve in Full Time Reservist Service contracts where gaps in Regular coverage give that possibility.
Age: minimum 26; must begin training by 49th birthday (Regular service) or by 54th birthday (Reserve service).
Medical: some limitations apply; this is assessed during the recruitment process.
Fitness: must be able to pass a Royal Naval Fitness Test during the recruitment process.
Must have a full UK Manual Driving Licence at the time of application.
The Person Specification for a Military Chaplain is set across the three chaplaincies of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, and I can make this available on request.
Officiating Chaplains to the Military (OCMs) are locally appointed, serving a particular unit to provide services and functions that cannot be met by the existing Chaplain or Team. They are paid on a ‘per session’ (one session is half a day) basis.
Sea Cadet Chaplains are volunteers serving with local Cadet Units. They serve to nurture both cadets and officers, teaching, and leading spiritually. Please contact the Deputy Corps Chaplain on staffchaplain@ms-sc.org if this role is of interest.
The above recruitment campaign is led by Rev’d Alastair Blaine RN, on NAVYCHAPLAINCY-GROUPMAILBOX@mod.gov.uk whom you can contact directly to explore more or if you would like to talk to me first please contact me at hcuk@hinducounciluk.org
Anil Bhanot
Hindu advisor to the MoD
Managing Trustee
Hindu Council UK
[A national umbrella body representing one million British Hindus through their temples and cultural organisations]