I’m sure there are nice ones out there and I am certainly speaking from my own experience.
Of course you might be less likely to find one disagreeable if you share their world view and they have your support.
I still don’t really see why you should be needing them in your youth organisation though.
If they wish to support, they should do it as any other citizen and become a CFAV and then use their experience without needing to be there in their religious capacity.
I’m assuming no other CFAV would be volunteering while also insisting they get to appear in their professional capacity. None of our tame barristers wearing wigs in uniform I assume!
I personally don’t agree with having a padre and any impact they make really. Not only is there that many religions and who says its right to only have a catholic one. Also dont agree any sort of religion should be put on kids at all. When they are older they can decide themselves and not be brainwashed into religion.
I’m not religious though I recognise the value it has in the lives of some, but a lot of clergy are very well trained and studied in areas that most of us aren’t in any formal capacity. If you pick the right one, their religious nature is there if a cadet requests or requires it (or even parents in some cases), but their other training and experience is of potential value to all with any mention of a big guy upstairs.
Although a lay preacher padre not from a youth or counseling background is going to be less flexible in that respect.
Or you find yourself a youth counsellor to come along as a CI and run equivalent citizenship and morals sessions as a padre might. I suspect they’re as busy these days already as many priests are (who often cover multiple parishes) so good luck with either option.
Squadron padres don’t need to be Christian (if they did they’d be CofE not Catholic). Squadrons can try to recruit padres that best represent the faith of their cadets and staff. They can potentially even have more than one? (Don’t quote me on that)
All the padres I’ve met tend to keep the religious aspect out of what they do unless requested. I think a lot of them recognise that not everyone shares their faith and try to keep it generic.
If you have a good padre they can certainly add value, and sometimes they can have a significant impact for some individuals who need pastoral care.