At a glance
Your role as a Chaplain will be unlike anything you could do in your civilian career. You’ll work in a multi-faith environment, providing friendship, guidance and support to the people who serve our nation.
Job Role
Chaplain
As a ‘friend and adviser to all’, you’ll give spiritual and moral guidance to any person serving in a fighting force.
- Undergraduate Degree
- Surface Fleet
- Chaplaincy
- Officer level
Multi-faith
Minister in an ecumenical and multi-faith environment
1 year
You can apply after you've been ordained for 1 year
6 weeks
Of paid holiday every year
Free
Medical and dental care
Pension
Membership of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme
Travel
Supporting personnel deployed around the world
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; surely God is present among those in the most difficult and challenging situations in the world. To be an expression of that, as a royal naval chaplain, is an absolute privilege.
Role details
What you’ll do
The Chaplain is a vital member of any naval or commando unit, with a unique congregation. 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.
Your role
- 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 of the person you’re talking with, from Rear Admiral to the most 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 nations interests.
Pay & benefits
- Initial earnings of £59,000
- 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
Skills for life
Qualifications you'll gain
- The opportunity to study for a PGCE or Masters degree
The opportunity to attend Staff College
Skills you'll develop
- Communication skills working with Navy personnel, who may have no church background
- Gain experience working with young people
Eligibility
- 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)
- Able to pass the Naval Swimming Test
- Hold a full and valid UK Driving Licence
Skills & Interests
- 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
Joining Process
From picking your role to the first day of training; everything you need to know as a Chaplain
Step 1
Virtual Open Evening
Your first step is to check if you think you meet the eligibility criteria and then register for a Naval Chaplaincy Virtual Open Evening. You can register by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 07811 991822 to speak/message the Chaplain Recruiter. The Chaplain Recruiter will be in touch with you to offer dates for a Virtual Open Evening to provide you with more detailed information and the opportunity to ask any questions.
Step 2
Initial interview
After attending a Virtual Open Evening, you will be invited for an on-line initial interview to check eligibility.
Step 3
Look at life: Chaplaincy acquaint
If you are considered eligible 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.
Step 4
Contact your Endorsing Authority
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.
Step 5
Submit a formal application via the RN Careers Service website
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.
Step 6
Candidate Preparation Course (CPC) /MedFit
A two day residential which includes your pre-joining fitness test and a medical examination.
Step 7
Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)
The AIB is unique to officer and chaplaincy candidates and it takes place in two parts. A Pre Recorded Interview (PRI) is an online assessment which assesses your motivation to join the Royal Navy and your awareness of the Royal Navy. The Group Planning Exercise (GPE) is the second stage of the AIB and is an online competency based assessment which will take place on a separate day to the PRI. It will be conducted in a virtual group environment and you will be assessed on your contribution to the team based on your individual performance.
Step 8
Chaplain of the Fleet Final Selection Board
A face-to-face selection interview then takes place with the Chaplain of the Fleet and two senior chaplains.
Career Progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Training
Following initial Naval Officer Training, study the academics of flight before progressing onto aircraft to develop aircraft handling and mission planning skills. Move onto a front line aircraft type to become qualified aircrew
First promotion
Sub-Lieutenant to Lieutenant. Build flying experience in diverse and challenging environments as a member of a front line squadron, whilst managing and supervising your small team. Opportunities to train as an instructor
Second promotion
Lieutenant to Lieutenant Commander. Develop flying expertise whilst taking on managerial roles within a front line squadron or headquarters environment
Got a question?
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day