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Chaplain
We encourage chaplains to be from any religious denomination. Our cadets represent diverse backgrounds and we welcome everyone who wants to be involved.
Our chaplain volunteers must attend a minimum of one parade night a month and help to run activities. There are other ways you could get involved too, including supporting events and occasions with religious meaning, helping induct new cadets and offering emotional support, pastoral care and moral guidance to our young people.
Benefits of being a volunteer
Being a volunteer is rewarding and has a lot of different benefits.
- learn skills in a range of areas
- develop leadership qualities
- personal development
- gain qualifications in areas like mountain leadership, first aid and NVQs
Whatever you decide to focus on, all volunteers gain a huge sense of achievement from helping young people realise their potential.
To be a volunteer you need to
- Be aged 20 years or more (uniformed officers serve up to age 65)
- have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years
- commit to a certain number of hours
- understand young people and their needs
- be patient, responsible and kind
- have a good level of fitness, but by no means be an athlete
We know our volunteers may have families, jobs and hobbies, so we can be flexible and work around other areas of your lives. All we expect in return is clear communication, good organisation and commitment to your squadron.
You do not need
- a military background or experience
- experience of working with young people
- relevant skills like flying or gliding
If you choose to progress into a uniformed role, we provide uniforms and all the training you’ll require and there are opportunities to move up through the ranks as an officer or senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO). You’ll be guided through the process of interviews at Wing HQs and Regional HQs.
While our volunteers don’t get paid, if you progress to be an officer or non-commissioned officer you can claim for up to 28 days’ volunteer allowance.
Typical joining process
- Submit an expression of interest
- Visit the squadron
- You’ll have an informal interview (usually when you make the first visit)
- Invited to complete an online application
- Get access to the RAF Air Cadets online system to complete the final forms
- Have a DBS check
After your DBS is successful, you’ll be able to attend the squadron and help with activities on a 6-month probation. During this time you’ll complete our mandatory Adult Volunteer Induction Course. After your 6 months, you can then attend external activities too.
The time from initial enquiry through to starting as a volunteer can vary depending on the availability of current volunteers, but on average it takes around three months. This is due to the enquiries that need to be made, including a DBS, as part of our safeguarding checks.
To apply for this job please visit forms.office.com.