Defence Force Chaplains

About Defence Chaplaincy

As pastors of the Church, Chaplains in the Defence Force are employed by the Defence Department to provide ministry to Army, Navy and Air Force personnel. Like a regular parish pastor, Defence chaplains lead worship services and conduct baptisms, marriages and funerals. But the venues are often far from ordinary. Another task is the pastoral care and counselling of service personnel who are being trained for combat. Dealing with moral and ethical issues takes on a high priority.

They are regularly called on to offer advice to all levels of command on a range of pastoral, moral, ethical, and welfare matters in both peacetime and on operations. Chaplains may be called to serve in Australia or overseas - in barracks, training bases, support units, on ships, on exercises, at war or peacekeeping operations.

Other duties include keeping a good level of fitness, being prepared to work away from home, and working ecumenically with other chaplains drawn from many denominations and religious groups.

History of Lutheran Defence Force Chaplaincy

At the time of the two World Wars, Lutheran pastors were regarded with mistrust because of their German background. Very few acted as chaplains. When the Vietnam war broke out the LCA was asked to supply a full-time chaplain for each of the three services: Navy, Army and Air force. The Army position was filled by Pastor Ern Sabel, the only Lutheran in the group of fifty-five chaplains.

He served in the army for twenty-nine years and reached the highest chaplaincy rank - Principal Chaplain (Brigadier). Full-time chaplains who have served in the Defence Force include Pastor Garry Kenney (Army), Pastor Robert Hupfeld (Army), Pastor Theo Mackenzie (Army), and Pastor Allan Wain (Air Force), and Pastor Garry Doecke (Air Force). There has never been a Lutheran Chaplain in the Navy.

In the past a number of part-time chaplains have served in both the Army and Air Force.

Current Australian Defence Force Chaplains in Service:

There are now five full-time and two part-time Defence Chaplains (4 Army & 2 Air Force). There is also an opportunity for a full-time LCA Naval Chaplain.

• Defence Force chaplains now serve in:
• Army (full-time): Land Warfare Centre, Coordinating Chaplain – Sydney, NSW
• Army (full-time): Combat Supply Support Battalion, Townsville, QLD
• Army (full-time): Land Warfare Centre, Area Chaplain – Darwin, NT
• Army (full-time): Coordinating Chaplain, HQ 1 Bde – Darwin, NT
• Army (part-time): Army Logistics Training Centre, Bandiana VIC
• Airforce (full-time): RAAF Base Chaplain – Richmond, NSW
• Airforce (part-time): RAAF Base Chaplain - Edinburgh, SA

Training

Defence Chaplains undertake a range of training requirements before being fully qualified to act as Defence Chaplains.

This includes:

• Basic Service related training – introductory training in military culture, processes, and protocols. This training takes place in each individual Service (Army involves 4 weeks at the Royal Military College, Duntroon while the Air Force requires the complete officer training course at Point Cook in Victoria).
• Chaplaincy basic training – a joint training course in the chaplaincy model of ministry within the Defence Forces.
• Critical incident intervention and care – designed to provide immediate response to serious and severe critical incidents within the Defence Forces.
• Suicide first aid and intervention training – based on the LivingWorks ASIST model of suicide intervention.
• Pastoral care in trauma – an intensive training course in medical trauma and pastoral care designed to assist the chaplain in providing care in a combat environment.
• Clinical pastoral education.
• Chaplaincy Intermediate Training – a promotional level training for those chosen to enter leadership roles within chaplaincy.
• Chaplaincy Advanced Training – a further promotional level training designed for those entering senior leadership roles within Chaplaincy.

In addition, Chaplains are able to extend their academic development through the recognition of the above courses and the provision of further study for the following qualifications:

• Graduate Diploma in Chaplaincy (Defence)
• Master of Ministry (Chaplaincy)

Chaplains also have the opportunity to attend other Defence Force courses that may either assist them in performing their duties, or that are of general interest to them in their professional development.

Conditions of Service

Chaplains are initially employed for a period of 6 years which includes a period of probation for 18 months. During this time they complete the required courses for proficiency as a Defence Chaplain.

All Chaplains must have a basic Bachelor of Theology degree, or Church equivalent that is nationally recognised. They must be ordained members of their respective mainline denominational Churches, and be in good standing within their Church. Denominational approval and recommendation by the particular denominational Head is required before the Defence Force will begin the recruiting process and appointment.

A basic fitness standard is required, and this is assessed twice per year. This fitness includes push-ups, sit-ups, and a run. Additional fitness requirements may include long distance walks with combat equipment from 5km up to and beyond 30km in a set time and other fitness standards as required from time to time.

Chaplains must maintain a good health standard as is required of any Service person. This includes annual medical and dental assessments.

These conditions are common to all service personal and apply equally to both full-time Chaplains and Reserve Chaplains. Defence pays chaplains on a scale that is comparable to Church salaries and in accord with both their entry-level experience and academic standard.

Full time v part time

Full-time Chaplains are employed exclusively by the Defence Force to provide religious ministry and pastoral care within the Defence community. They serve within a particular unit and also provide denominational assistance for individuals on a wider level when and where required.

Reserve or Part-Time Chaplains are pastors who undertake Defence Chaplaincy as an additional element of their normal Church ministry. Defence pays them for their services, and also provides some financial incentives to their religious community for releasing them to undertake this ministry. All the training and development opportunities for full-time chaplains are equally open to Reserve Chaplains.

Links

Australian Government Department of Defence
Defence Community Organisation
Chaplains in the Defence Force (Defence Family Matters newsletter, November 2003)
ELCA’s resources for peace and war