The role of religion, religious leaders and religious communities in war and peace-making as well as associated and contested notions of a just war and religion as a cause of war are huge topics as is the assessment of war from a religious perspective. Military chaplaincy has always been surrounded by ambiguity, not least because of the nature and extent of religiosity (or its lack) among soldiers, sailors and air force personnel and the twin tension-filled role of the chaplain in relation to his or her own religious authorities and to his or her armed force authorities. There is the additional tension in being the representative of a religious founder such as the Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad who are perceived as peace-bearers and peace-makers.

During WW2 three chaplains were awarded VCs for their actions in the war. Many more were decorated, often for bringing in wounded men. Overall, 179 chaplains died during the conflict.

"He blesses the boys as they stand in line
The smell of gun grease
And the bayonets they shine
He's there to help them all that he can
To make them feel wanted he's a good holy man"

The figure is the Westwind Para Chaplain from their Weird War range.

He smiles at the young soldiers
Tells them it's all right
He knows of their fear in the forthcoming fight
Soon there'll be blood and many will die
Mothers and fathers back home they will cry

Altogether in the Australian armed forces there are just over 100 army chaplains, and another 100 air force and naval chaplains serving the 58,751 permanent ADF (Australian Defence Force) members, the 16,816 active Reservists and the 20,138 APS administrative support persons according to the 2015 ADF census. In Victoria, there are few military chaplains because Australia’s military bases are concentrated in the north of Australia.

HMAS Cerberus has had one full-time Catholic chaplain. Air force chaplaincy is focused on the bases as Laverton, Point Cook and Sale while the army has its bases such as at Bandiana, Macleod and Puckapunyal. Of course there are reservists but the role of chaplains in the reservist units is unclear.

He mumbles a prayer and it ends with a smile
The order is given
They move down the line
But he'll stay behind and he'll meditate
But it won't stop the bleeding or ease the hate

As the young men move out into the battle zone
He feels good, with God you're never alone
He feels tired and he lays on his bed
Hopes the men will find courage
In the words that he said

The Army Chaplain is a member of the Commander’s personnel support team. Free from the responsibilities of command and privileged in insight into personnel attitudes, the chaplain stands in a unique position to exercise independent judgement and to give expression to that judgement as a staff adviser.

You're soldiers of God, you must understand
The fate of your country is in your young hands
May God give you strength
Do your job real well
If it all was worth it
Only time it will tell

Chaplains are expected to provide timely, accurate and relevant advice to Commanders and staff on matters relating to spiritual, religious and pastoral wellbeing, personal morality, ethics, character formation and morale.

In the morning they return
With tears in their eyes
The stench of death drifts up to the skies
A soldier so ill looks at the sky pilot
Remembers the words
"Thou shalt not kill."

There is an option for players of certain armies to field a chaplain within their reinforced platoon. This was first introduced in the Battle of the Bulge supplement (and repeated in others) as a definitive option for the Armies of the U.S., Germany, the British Commonwealth and Partisans.

The figure is the first completed in my Australian Bolt Action Militia Platoon in New Guinea.

I went through seminary college with a John Coldicott whose objective following graduation was to become an Australian Army Chaplain. I have not seen him since, but sincerely hope he succeeded in this endeavour.

Sky pilot
Sky pilot
How high can you fly?
You'll never, never, never reach the sky

Apologies to Eric Burdon and the Animals.