Chaplain Reserve

The Royal Navy offers a world of unparalleled opportunities for its reservists. And this means the type of spiritual guidance and support they need is equally unique. The friendship and advice you’ll need to offer as a Reserve Chaplain will be unlike anything you’ve done in your civilian career. You’ll work in a multi-faith environment, one that can include challenging situations, and the need to guide reservists as well as their families when they’re deployed. You’ll be there for whoever needs you to be. You’ll serve the people who serve the nation.

• Act as chaplain to a unique, and very varied congregation. The spiritual and emotional support you provide will be vital to the wellbeing of personnel of all ranks and roles.
• Work in a multi-faith environment, providing advice and guidance that is very different to that needed in the civilian world. 
  
• 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 be vital to protecting our nations interests. 
  
   

• Daily rates of pay equivalent to those of full-time personnel
• Broad range of developmental courses available inside and outside the Naval Service
• Receive extra pay if you are mobilised
• Annual tax-free bounty subject to meeting the minimum training commitment
• Paid leave in proportion to the number of training days attended
• Automatic membership of the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme
• Expenses and allowances when undergoing training
• Access to sports and fitness facilities

Qualifications you'll gain

• The opportunity to attend Staff College
• The opportunity to study for a PGCE or Masters degree.

Skills you'll develop

• Communication skills working with Navy personnel, from a variety of faith and belief traditions 
• Gain experience working with young people
• Learn Resource Planning
• Develop your team management skills
• Work in a multi-national environment
  
   

• Aged 26 to 53
• You normally need to have 2-3 years post-accreditation professional experience (full-time or equivalent)  and qualify as a minister of religion or belief leader. There is normally a requirement to have significant experience of working as a chaplain (or equivalent, e.g. an ordained pastoral leadership role) but as long as you can achieve this alongside your initial reservist training you may be eligible to apply to be a Probationary Reservist Chaplain straight after you have qualified.
• 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

• 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