Chaplain

Royal Army Chaplains’ Department

At a glance

  • Officer
  • Specialist
  • logistics

The most important part of the Army is its people. The role of the chaplain or non-religious pastoral officer is to care for those people.

  • £57,642The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
  • £57,642Your pay after completing basic trade training
  • AgeFrom 26 years to 54 years
  • QualificationsSee qualification details
Army Chaplain

I have the privilege and responsibility to be with young men and women who serve in the British Army.

Regimental Chaplain, The Revd Fr Burke CF

The Royal Army Chaplains’ Department recruits both religious and non-religious personnel.

Life as an Army Chaplain is a calling like no other. Belonging to a remarkable organisation of young men and women, sharing your life with them and serving alongside them wherever they go brings tremendous opportunities and challenges. It is a vocation that is both demanding and rewarding.

Chaplains are Professionally Qualified Officers who deliver pastoral care, provide or facilitate spiritual support and give moral guidance to the whole force and their families irrespective of faith, world philosophy or status. Chaplains wear British Army uniforms, provide leadership but do not command, are non-combatant and do not bear arms.

A list of the Endorsing Authorities recognised by the MOD and additional application criteria can be found here.

Apply now

Key Responsibilities

  • Play a key role in improving the Army’s culture and behaviours to forge a winning team

  • Deliver pastoral care to everyone at home and abroad

  • Provide or facilitate spiritual support publicly and privately, at every level of the Army

  • Offer moral guidance and ethical leadership to Service personnel and the Chain of Command

  • Live and work with your unit and travel with them wherever they go

  • Opportunities to study postgraduate qualifications

Have any questions? Talk with us

Chaplain

Regular (full time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

    From 26 years to 54 years

  • Qualifications:

    • Minimum of 2-3 years’ post-accreditation experience, or equivalent, in a full-time leadership capacity in a pastoral context.

    • Be (or eligible to be) endorsed by an Endorsing Authority representing your belief or faith community.

    • You must be under the age of 50 at the time you commission into the RAChD.

  • Basic physical fitness assessment:

    • Mid Thigh Pull 76kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw 3.1m

    • MSFT (beep test) level 8.07

    More information about the fitness test

Training for the role

Step 1
Initial training is completed at the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre, Beckett House, Shrivenham.

Step 2
Complete commissioning course (short) at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

Qualifications you could get after training

  • Master of Theology in Chaplaincy Studies

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education

Pay & benefits

On commissioning you will earn £57,642

You will also get:

  • 38 days paid annual leave

  • Subsidised accommodation

  • Free medical and dental care

  • Enrolled in a non-contributory pension scheme

How to Apply

If you've got your qualifications, then apply online. Your application will be passed to our specialist team, who will help guide you through the process towards joining in this role. You'll need to pass a specialist skills interview to check that your skills are in line with our needs.

More about the joining process