Military Chaplains are Front and Centre This Anzac Day 

As Australians pause this Anzac Day to remember the fallen and honour those who served, the role of military chaplains will be on full display, leading Anzac services at schools, memorials and in the community. 

James Hall is an Australian Army Chaplain and spoke to 96five’s Alex Milne about the role of the modern-day defence force chaplain. 

 “The main things we do is advice to command – so we advise the commander on ethical and moral matters, as well as the morale of the soldiers,” Chaplain Hall said. 

“We do formal character training and we provide pastoral and spiritual care to all members of the unit.” 

Chaplain Hall said that commemorative days such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day sees the more formal roles of chaplains on display. 

“As well as weddings, baptisms and funerals for soldiers, we also undertake ceremonial duties like colours, parades, and leading Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services. 

“ Anzac Day is always a very special time for military chaplains. We will all be doing dawn services in our units on the base at Enoggera.  

“You usually try to have the service just as the dawn is breaking, which means a gunfire breakfast at about 4:30am.” 

Because of his involvement in leading services at schools, and with defence cadets, James has noticed a resurgence in interest around Anzac Day. 

“ I think there’s a collective sense of pride in the nation and the shoulders that we all stand on of those that have gone before us.  The Australian Defence Force has a very high reputation with other nations. When you look at the size of Australia and what we achieved in the World Wars, and the courage and mateship that we displayed – that has gone down through the ages.  People have come back to a sense of national pride around Anzac Day, which I think is great.” 

Listen to the full interview with Chaplain James Hall at the top of the page. 

Main Image: David Clode on Unsplash