Maritime Reserves Chaplain

As a RNR Chaplain, my Naval life falls into two parts. My weekly role is to muster with the ships company of WILDFIRE week by week on a Wednesday. Once at the Unit my role as ‘Friend and adviser to all’ is fulfilled by slowly getting to know the crew.

At WILDFIRE my main task is to be a link with the families of those who have been deployed on operations. It is amazing how much a telephone call made to families is appreciated, and what positive feedback it gives to not only the RNCS but also to the Royal Navy. For many of our people it is their first time away from their families and first time with the Navy and first time in a war situation.

Other duties at WILDFIRE are for a monthly informal ‘chat’ at Divisions, being part of the Senior Management Team. There are also ceremonial duties for annual divisions and keeping up the Naval Tradition for saying Grace at Trafalgar Night and other functions at Northwood Officers Mess.

The second part of my function as an RNR Chaplain is to be trained ready for deployment alongside the fulltime Chaplains in the Royal Navy.

I will complete my training by June for in September my Bishop has granted me leave of absence to be mobilised for three months upon a ship, either in the Gulf on anti-piracy duties or in the Caribbean looking for narcotics (and destroying them). In either theatre I will do my best to maintain the excellent reputation that the RNCS has amongst all ranks and rates and to be a friend and adviser to all.