Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service

The majority of Chaplains are recruited from a number of Christian denominations, however to better reflect the changing demographics of the United Kingdom and HM forces, as already established in the NHS, HM Prisons and UK Universities, the Ministry of Defence announced in November 2023 it would begin recruiting Non-Religious Pastoral Support Officers in 2024.

[1] The senior chaplain in the Royal Navy is the Chaplain of the Fleet, the current post holder being Andrew Hillier, an Anglican priest, who is also the Archdeacon for the Royal Navy.

Chaplains join the Royal Navy as experienced clergy of their denomination.

They undergo naval training at Britannia Royal Naval College alongside other Royal Navy officer cadets.

An Order in Council issued by King Edward VII in August 1902 granted the ecclesiastical dignity of archdeacon on the Chaplain of the Fleet.

Royal Navy Chaplain insignia
Divine service as it is usually performed on board a British frigate at sea (circa 1836).
Service on the cruiser HMS Cumberland , November 1942