Field Marshall William Slim knew firsthand of the arduousness of military service. Writing in his autobiography, on rebuilding the foundations of morale in a shattered 14^th Army in Burma in 1942 he said, “morale, if it is to endure, must have certain foundations: spiritual; intellectual; and material. Spiritual first, because only spiritual foundations can stand real strain. Intellectual next, because people are swayed by reason as well as by feelings. Material last – important, but last because the very highest kinds of morale are often met when material conditions are lowest.”

Every day of the year, the people of the Royal Navy are deployed at sea defending the nation’s interests, placing pressure on our adversaries, and representing our country abroad. They do this often unseen and without thanks, but always in remarkable ways. The isolation from home, the pressures of the environment, and the challenges of changed plans, military action and unexpected events can cause disconnection of body, mind and spirit. Chaplaincy exists to build and strengthen the spirit not only of the individual, but of the whole ship’s company, boat’s crew or troop of Royal Marines.

Royal Naval Chaplaincy serves as ‘a friend and advisor to all on board’, from the recruit on their first day to the oldest and most senior members of the Service, and to their families. Chaplains serve not to pull people out of their battles in whatever form they take, but to strengthen them to fight with purpose and courage, and we do so by being alongside them, equipped with nothing more than ourselves and that which sustains us spiritually. We serve at and under the sea, on land, in training establishments, headquarters, dockyards and hospitals, wherever our people are.

Royal Naval Chaplaincy wants to recruit superb leaders who can underpin, build and sustain the spiritual foundations of our sailors, officers and Royal Marines, for both Regular (full time) and Reserve (part time) Commission. If you would like to know more, or discuss the role, please contact the Chaplain Recruiter, The Rev’d Alastair Blaine RN, on NAVYCHAPLAINCY-GROUPMAILBOX@mod.gov.uk or click the links above.