The number of trained chaplains in the UK regular forces broken down by Service and denomination is shown in the following table. It is not possible to show chaplains in the Naval Service broken down by denomination at April 1997 and April 2002 as historical data are not held centrally. In addition to the Christian chaplains shown in the table, chaplains from the four main non-Christian faiths were appointed in October 2005, one each from the Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Sikh faiths. These chaplains are MOD civil servants rather than Service personnel. There is also an honorary officiating chaplain to minister to those of the Jewish faith.
1 April 1997 1 April 2002 1 April 20061 1 September 20061, 2 Naval Service3 70 70 65 70 Baptist n/a n/a 4— 4— Church of England n/a n/a 35 35 Church of Scotland n/a n/a 10 10 Free Church of Scotland n/a n/a 4— 4— Methodist n/a n/a 4— 4— Roman Catholic n/a n/a 10 10 Army 150 150 145 145 Baptist 4— 5 5 5 Church of England 80 75 70 70 Church of Ireland 10 10 10 10 Church of Scotland 15 15 15 15 Church of Wales 4— 5 4— 4— Episcopalian—Scottish 4— 4— 4— 4— Free Church of Scotland 0 0 4— 4— Methodist 10 10 10 10 Presbyterian—Ireland 4— 4— 4— 4— Presbyterian—Scotland 4— 4— 0 0 Roman Catholic 20 25 25 20 Unified Reformed Church 4— 4— 4— 4— Royal Air Force3 80 75 75 570 Baptist 4— 4— 4,5— n/a Church of England 55 50 545 n/a Church of Ireland 0 4— 4,5— n/a Church of Scotland 5 5 55 n/a Free Church of Scotland 4— 0 50 n/a Methodist 4— 5 55 n/a Presbyterian 4— 4— 4,5— n/a Roman Catholic 10 10 510 n/a Unified Reformed Church 4— 0 50 n/a n/a = not available 1 Naval Service totals for April 2006 and September 2006 include five Christian Chaplains of unknown denomination. Army totals for April 2006 and September 2006 include fewer than five Christian Chaplains of unknown denomination. 2 Due to the introduction of a new personnel administration system, a breakdown of RAF Chaplains by denomination is not available at September 2006, and the breakdown of RAF Chaplains by denomination at April 2006 is provisional. The total figure for RAF Chaplains at September 2006 is provisional pending review. 3 Naval Service includes Royal Navy and Royal Marines. 4 denotes fewer than five. All other figures have been rounded to the nearest five. 5 denotes provisional Note: UK Regular Forces includes Nursing services and excludes Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Ghurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised reservists.