Minister becomes Royal Naval Reserve chaplain

A Church of Scotland minister has become what they think is the oldest person to ‘pass out' and receive a commission in the Royal Naval Reserve.

Rev Fergus Cook, of Blackhall St Columba's Parish Church in Edinburgh has been going through the process to become a Naval Chaplain for some time now.

His base unit, HMS Scotia, wrote on Facebook:

"Congratulations to Chaplain Cook who passed out of Britannia Royal Naval College on Sunday 3rd November 2024.

"Passing out marks the completion of Chaplain Cook's confirmation course and significant hard work to get to this point and is a significant step in his progression into the fleet.

"Chaplains play an important role offering not just religious support but important pastoral support to all faiths and none within a ship's company. Royal Navy chaplains are unique compared to their Royal Air Force and Army colleagues in that they don't hold a military rank and are referred to solely as Royal Navy Chaplain, or more commonly Bish!"

Fergus said it has been a real challenge to get through to this stage and says he has been blessed with a huge amount of support from his Kirk Session and congregation.

"In the Navy the role of the Chaplain is to be ‘a friend and adviser to all'," he said.

"Throughout my training I have had opportunities to share my faith as the people I work with ask about my role and the job I do. It is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside a great bunch of dedicated men and women who are all there to serve others. Many of the core values of the Royal Navy dovetail nicely with the Christian faith and it is great to speak about faith with people who may not have had much to do with it before."

There will be more training ahead for Chaplain Cook as he does the courses that allow him to be deployed at sea operationally.