By KLTV Newsdesk –
In this deeply moving episode of Kirklees Armed Forces TV, Dr Milton Brown sits down with David Pickett, affectionately known across the military as Chaplain Dai Pickett.
With 31 years of dedicated service in His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Dai shares his profound journey from spending 23 years as an operations officer in the Royal Air Force to answering a spiritual calling to become a Church of England parish priest and a chaplain in the Royal Navy.
In this raw and honest conversation, Dai strips back the “tough as boots” facade often expected of military personnel. He opens up about the heavy burdens of his calling, the realities of trauma, and the urgent need for better mental health support for men in uniform.
What You Will Learn In This Interview:
The Weight of Trauma: Dai recounts his time in Northern Ireland and the devastating loss of a helicopter crew that stayed with him for life.
An Unexpected Calling: Hear how Dai experienced the “lottery finger of God” in 1994, leading him to transition from a military career he loved into the priesthood.
The Loneliness of Leadership: Discover the unique isolation of being a chaplain—the person everyone turns to for help, but who often has no one to speak to themselves.
The Silent Crisis: A candid discussion on the tragic reality of suicide among military men who are conditioned to hide their feelings.
How to Truly Help: Why you should never ask someone “how are you?” flippantly, and the importance of sitting down and truly listening.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to local mental health resources or veterans’ support agencies. You do not have to carry your burdens alone.
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