Royal Air Force chaplains

The chaplain at an RAF station is likely to be part of a team, working in an organisation which has a sense of community. In addition to the normal occupations for ordained people, such as the conduct of worship, baptisms, marriages and funerals, chaplains also play an integral part in the community support system that exists within the RAF, and help to solve individual welfare problems, while facing the challenge of encouraging people to think about faith and its impact on everyday life.

As with other chaplains there is a regular involvement in the social life of the station and in joining in any of the variety of games and sports enjoyed by the station.

Chaplains are with people both in joy and sorrow to help them think through the issues that confront them, wherever they are in the world and whether they are on operations, at home and during their normal working lives.

Mission statement

The Chaplaincy Board is responsible for the career management of Royal Air Force chaplains. It also helps the ministry of the Royal Air Force Chaplains' Branch as it continually strives to reach the aims of its mission:

"To represent the Kingdom of God and to promote its values, to meet the pastoral, spiritual and moral needs of the whole RAF community and to enable that community to practice its various faiths."

Chaplaincy service structure

The Royal Air Force Chaplains' Branch is headed by the Chaplain in Chief (Director General Chaplaincy Services), a post which may be filled from any denomination. The current incumbent is a Church of Scotland minister, the Rev Gordon Craig, QHC. He is assisted by the Chaplaincy Board, comprising  a Director of chaplaincy - training and operations, Director of chaplaincy - personnel and strategic plans, Principal chaplain (Church of England), and Principal chaplain (Roman Catholic).

Contact for more information

You can visit the RAF Chaplains' Branch online at www.raf.mod.uk/chaplains/.