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MOD
UK News

British Army in chaplain recruitment drive

by Desmond Busteed

Padres, as they are more commonly known, give officers and soldiers spiritual support, pastoral care and moral guidance, irrespective of religion or belief, with about 150 regular chaplains currently serving in the Army.

Revd Tim Flowers, 49, is a Padre with 4th Battalion the Mercian Regiment and a Minister in the Tamworth and Lichfield Circuit of the Methodist Church.

Speaking on Premier's 'News Hour', he said: "I feel so lucky that I'm paid in my spare time to make new friends and further my interest in providing support to offers. I've travelled to countries and seen a side of the world I'd never have experienced otherwise.

"As reservists, we also regularly complete training exercises - for example Chaplaincy courses that can help with understanding other views from different denominations. The list is as long as your goals and ambitions. I get the best of both worlds - when I'm spending the weekend meeting a variety of people, I know that on Monday morning I'll be back at my day job."

Padres wear the uniforms of the British Army and accompany their soldiers wherever they go but are non-combatants and do not bear arms.

Army reservists get paid for their time, while the Army also pays for reservists to gain civilian qualifications while they volunteer, which include apprenticeships and literacy and numeracy skills up to A-Level equivalent.

Revd Tim Flowers:

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