Military Chaplaincy within the RAF is very demanding, both in terms of the practical skills every military professional needs to survive and also spiritually as our unique position within society means we experience the true complexities of the world first hand.

Working within such an environment means our training has to be of a high calibre.  In addition to the the core military skills all RAF personnel receive through annual training chaplains undertake the following courses.

Continuing Ministerial Education (CME)

Christian theology and practice is always earthed in the particulars of time and place. As suggested by the Church of England Report, 'The Church's public ministers need opportunities to engage in learning that will keep them abreast of issues of faith in a postmodern society, biblical studies, and language and ways of exploring questions of truth in relation to God.'

Continuing Ministerial Education (CME) has an important role in providing an appropriate setting for these engagements. Moreover, by the very nature of their ministry, it is vital that military chaplains maintain interest in both the current theological issues of the sending denomination and of the wider Church. CME provides these opportunities within an ecumenical setting.

The aim of Continuing Ministerial Education is to help equip and develop Chaplains in order that they may be stimulated and enabled to participate fully in the mission of God in the world.

The training objectives of CME are to:

a. Discern and continue to develop participation in God's mission in the world.

b. Enable reflection upon the actual experience of ministry.

c. Deepen theological enquiry and openness to God's ever new ways of working.

New Entrant Chaplains' Course

After 11 weeks at Royal Air Force College Cranwell on the Specialist Entrant and Re-Entrant Course newly commissioned Chaplains attend a 10 day course at the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre. The course aims to provide the new Chaplain with sufficient knowledge to minister to the RAF community.

The course consists of modules covering the theology of Chaplaincy, Church life, RAF Compassionate and Welfare Structures, Branch Structures, Basic Administrative skills, Death and Bereavement in the RAF, Operational issues, the Beliefs and Values Programme, Branch Training and Development, briefings at HQ Air Command, Working in Teams and time for reflection. The course concludes with a service of licensing, mandating and welcome.

Pre Deployment Training

In addition to the Military Skills training taking place on Stations, Chaplains are required to attend this course prior to operational deployment.

Modules include concept of operations, current operations, Spiritual and Theological Reflection, and Ethics. The course also includes input from Chaplains recently returned from operational theatres.

Master of Theology in Chaplaincy Studies

Chaplains who have served a minimum of 6 years and have at least 4 years service left may apply for a place on the Master of Theology Degree.

The MTh aims to develop intellectual competence and post graduate skills while offering the opportunity for theological and academic reflection on Chaplaincy.

The course is delivered in 2 parts:

Part 1 - Modules Covering

- Foundations of Practical Theology and the use of Theological resources.
- Moral Thinking and Theory.
- Sociological and Institutional Context.
- Practitioner Skills.
- Pastoral Reflective Practice with context related modules.

Part 2

- Allows the student to develop appropriate themes in a Dissertation.