Chaplain

Overview

As a member of the military, CAF chaplains are responsible for fostering the spiritual, religious, and pastoral care of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families, regardless of religious affiliation, practice, and/or belief.

As a member of the military, CAF chaplains are responsible for fostering the spiritual, religious, and pastoral care of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families, regardless of religious affiliation, practice, and/or belief.

CAF chaplains have privileged access to CAF members of all ranks, have no command authority, and are prohibited from bearing arms. Their responsibilities include:

• Providing an active, personal, and supportive presence
• Officiating at special functions, service, events, and ceremonies
• Advising the Chain of Command regarding spiritual/religious accommodation issues, ethical dilemmas, as well as spiritual and moral issues pertaining to the Formation/Unit/Squadron
• Applying knowledge in general military administration and RCChS policies.
• Liaising with local area civilian Faith Tradition leaders
• Referring CAF members and their families to other helping professionals, such as social workers, psychologists, or medical personnel, as required
• Providing compassionate and caring support during, and following, significant life events and incidents

CAF chaplains work in all military environments with members of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the Canadian Army (CA), the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and Canadian Special Operations Forces (CANSOF). CAF chaplains provide an active, personal and supportive presence, and offer spiritual and personal growth counselling, programmes, and events throughout the year. Public services and military ceremonies typically require the chaplain to participate and offer spiritual reflections.

CAF chaplain can work in Canada, or may be required to go abroad during operations.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit.

Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

• Direct Entry Options
• Paid Education Options

Chaplains must be ordained or mandated by a nationally registered Faith Tradition, and have a Graduate-level professional degree in Faith Tradition formation (MDiv or equivalent), be a member in good standing with a national Faith Tradition Governing Authority, and have at least two years of fulltime, supervised Faith Tradition leadership experience. They must also receive the recommendation of a representative of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military Chaplaincy (ICCMC), the endorsement of the ICCMC, and be selected by the Chaplain General.

The ideal candidate already have a Graduate-level professional degree in Faith Tradition formation (MDiv or equivalent) and at least two years of fulltime, supervised Faith Tradition leadership experience, the CAF may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following Basic Military Officer Qualification training.

For more information about entry plans and becoming a Chaplain, you may contact the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service:

Email:
Chaplain Main-Aumo

Phone:

Alberta and the North

Chaplain, 3rd Canadian Division

Capt Bryan Bowley

Email:

Edmonton  x8141

Manitoba and Saskatchewan

1 Canadian Air Division Chaplain

Maj Henry Hoy

Email:

Winnipeg  x2267

Ontario

Chaplain, 4th Canadian Division

Capt Adnan Balihodzic

Email: A

Toronto  x5314

Quebec

Chaplain, 2nd Canadian Division

Capt Dany Perreault

Email: qg2di

Montréal  x4032

Maritimes

Chaplain, 5th Canadian Division

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