Military chaplain

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|employment_field= Military

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|related_occupation= Chaplain assistant

|related_occupation= Chaplain assistantd

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The department was awarded its "Royal" prefix in 1919 in recognition of their chaplains' service during [[World War I]], and the current form of military chaplain dates from that era. A chaplain provides spiritual and pastoral support for service personnel, including the conduct of religious services at sea or in the field. In the Royal Navy, chaplains are traditionally addressed by their Christian name, or with one of many nicknames (Bish; Sin-Bosun; Devil Dodger; Sky-pilot etc.). In the Army and [[Royal Air Force]], chaplains are traditionally referred to (and addressed) as ''padre'' or as Sir/Ma'am (although not the latter in the RAF). Many Padres in the British Army will insist on not being referred to as ''Sir/Ma'am'' as they are explicitly outside of the chain of command in the units to which they have been attached, which emphasises their pastoral role rather than a command position.

The department was awarded its "Royal" prefix in 1919 in recognition of their chaplains' service during [[World War I]], and the current form of military chaplain dates from that era. A chaplain provides spiritual and pastoral support for service personnel, including the conduct of religious services at sea or in the field. In the Royal Navy, chaplains are traditionally addressed by their Christian name, or with one of many nicknames (Bish; Sin-Bosun; Devil Dodger; Sky-pilot etc.). In the Army and [[Royal Air Force]], chaplains are traditionally referred to (and addressed) as ''padre'' or as Sir/Ma'am (although not the latter in the RAF). Many Padres in the British Army will insist on not being referred to as ''Sir/Ma'am'' as they are explicitly outside of the chain of command in the units to which they have been attached, which emphasises their pastoral role rather than a command position.

In the [[Royal Navy]], chaplains have no rank other than "chaplain", while in the Army they hold commissioned relative rank but are universally referred to as "padre". On the foundation of the Royal Air Force Chaplains' Branch an attempt was made to amalgamate these differing systems by creating "relative rank", where rank is worn but without executive authority. In practice chaplains of all three services work in similar ways, using what influence and authority they have on behalf of those who consult them or seek their advice.

In the [[Royal Navy]], chaplains have no rank other than "chaplain", while in the Army they hold commissioned relative rank but are universally referred to as "Bish". On the foundation of the Royal Air Force Chaplains' Branch an attempt was made to amalgamate these differing systems by creating "relative rank", where rank is worn but without executive authority. In practice chaplains of all three services work in similar ways, using what influence and authority they have on behalf of those who consult them or seek their advice.

[[File:Church service Atlantic conference.jpg|thumb|Church service aboard the British battleship [[HMS Prince of Wales (53)|HMS ''Prince of Wales'']] in August 1941]]

[[File:Church service Atlantic conference.jpg|thumb|Church service aboard the British battleship [[HMS Prince of Wales (53)|HMS ''Prince of Wales'']] in August 1941]]

During [[World War II]] the head of chaplaincy in the British Army was an [[Anglican]] [[chaplain-general]] (a [[major-general]]), who was formally under the control of the Permanent Under-Secretary of State.C. D. Symons, Chaplain-General to the Forces An assistant chaplain-general was a chaplain 1st class (full [[colonel]]) and a senior chaplain was a chaplain 2nd class ([[lieutenant colonel]]).Brumwell, P. Middleton (1943) ''The Army Chaplain: the Royal Army Chaplains' Department; the duties of chaplains and morale''. London: Adam & Charles Black

During [[World War II]] the head of chaplaincy in the British Army was an [[Anglican]] [[chaplain-general]] (a [[major-general]]), who was formally under the control of the Permanent Under-Secretary of State.C. D. Symons, Chaplain-General to the Forces An assistant chaplain-general was a chaplain 1st class (full [[colonel]]) and a senior chaplain was a chaplain 2nd class ([[lieutenant colonel]]).Brumwell, P. Middleton (1943) ''The Army Chaplain: the Royal Army Chaplains' Department; the duties of chaplains and morale''. London: Adam & Charles Black