Regular Chaplain (Full Time) | Royal Navy

As a ‘friend and adviser to all', you’ll give spiritual and moral guidance to any person serving in a fighting force. This role is classed as a RBP Logistics and Personnel Chaplain. The Chaplain is a vital member of any naval or commando unit, with a unique role. The team of 30,000 men and women who make up the Naval Service come from all walks of life. They do extraordinary jobs in extraordinary circumstances, all over the world, 365 days a year. It means your congregation – and crewmates – need a unique type of support. We welcome people who practise all faiths (including those with none), so you’ll need to be a friend, adviser and spiritual guide to them all in a multi‑faith environment. You’ll be there for whoever needs you to be. You’ll serve the people who serve our nation.

Just as in civilian life, you’ll visit, preach and teach, providing pastoral care, officiating at services and ceremonial events. With no rank of your own, you share that responsibility with everyone from Admiral to junior rating. Develop a wide range of new skills through military training, including firefighting and first aid. You’ll need to apply these skills in operational environments, as well as on exercises. Travel the world, giving crucial guidance to serving personnel and their families. The work you do when mobilised will make a vital contribution to protecting our nation's interests.

A starting salary of £60,235, 6 weeks of paid holiday every year, extra allowances for days spent at sea, free medical and dental care, membership of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, travel all over the world.

Qualifications you’ll gain:

• The opportunity to study for a PGCE or Masters degree
• The opportunity to attend Staff College
• Communication skills working with Navy personnel, from all faith and belief traditions
• Gain experience working with young people

Aged 26 to 48. You need 2‑3 years post‑accreditation professional experience (full‑time or equivalent) and qualify as a minister of religion or belief leader. There is a requirement to have significant experience of working as a chaplain (or equivalent, e.g. an ordained pastoral leadership role) to be considered suitable for Regular Service. You will need to be currently working as an accredited chaplain or qualified religious or belief leader with one of the following faith or belief communities: Christian, Hindu, Humanist or Non‑Religious, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and currently engaged with them at the point of application. You must be a United Kingdom national, or Commonwealth citizen, or Dual National. A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28. Able to pass the Royal Naval Fitness Test (RNFT). A full UK Driving Licence covering manual vehicles must be held at the point of application. Proven track record of excellent people skills and ability to engage with young people. Understanding of the rigours of Naval life. Ability to work individually, as an autonomous practitioner, without the structure and direct support of your faith or belief community. Physically fit and mentally resilient and ready for the challenge. Ability to work as part of a diverse multi‑faith and belief team.

It’s the sheer variety of opportunities on offer in the Naval Service which means I’ve never got bored. I’ve served operationally with the Royal Marines, I’ve been to sea on small ships looking for mines in the Gulf and even ministered beneath the waves in a submarine. The ministry of a naval chaplain is so varied but also in many ways just like parish ministry; you become an important part of the community. To be an expression of that, as a royal naval chaplain, is an absolute privilege.

Joining Process:

• From picking your role to the first day of training; everything you need to know as a Chaplain.
• Virtual Presentation: Register your interest & make an application.
• Medical and Fitness Assessments.
• Chaplain of the Fleet Final Selection Board.
• Start training.

Your first step is to register for a Naval Chaplaincy Virtual Presentation. You can register by emailing or telephoning the Chaplain Recruiter. The Chaplain Recruiter will provide you with a link to the presentation and will be able to answer any initial questions or queries you may have. Register your interest & make an application. This starts your online application process which is similar to that of officer applications and has to run hand‑in‑hand with the specialist chaplaincy selection procedure, supported by the Chaplain Recruiter. At this stage, your eligibility to join will be explored. If you are eligible to join, you will then be invited to attend a residential 3‑day acquaint visit to find out more about what chaplaincy in the Royal Navy entails. You will need to contact your Endorsing Authority to let them know that you have made an Expression of Interest to the Royal Navy and to learn what their specific endorsement process will entail. The Chaplain Recruiter will assist you in identifying and contacting your endorsing authority. You will be invited for an online Career interview to check further eligibility criteria and cover the initial stages of the Security application. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform.

This is a two-part residential assessment conducted at one of our Candidate Preparation Centres and will include a Fitness Assessment and Medical Assessment. A face‑to‑face selection interview takes place with the Chaplain of the Fleet and three other board members, including an officer from the Admiralty Interview Board. Once you’ve passed all eligibility criteria, including a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) to commence your initial training.