Chaplain Kevin O’Sullivan completes over 37 years as Permanent Air Force member, and within this long service, some 13 years as an Air Force chaplain.
Kevin commenced his full time service with Air Force in 1988 as a communications operator working his way through communications and trade specific roles from Aircraftman to Warrant Officer. During his military career, prior to chaplaincy, Kevin was deployed to Cambodia, Malaysia and the Netherlands. Kevin is married to Denise and has one son, Aaron.
He describes himself as a cradle Catholic and has always felt that God has been knocking at his door challenging him to embrace a life of service. Through personal challenges, Kevin has always sought to express this sense of service and care for others in his service life. As part of his distinguished service, Kevin worked as a counsellor with the then Alcohol Rehabilitation and Education Programme at 3 Combat Support Hospital at RAAF Base, Richmond, as part of his intentional way of assisting people.
With the ADF’s agreement to the proposed Catholic Military Diocese’s lay (non-ordained) Chaplaincy scheme, Kevin was accepted in 2008 for training under the In-Service Training Programme, being given 5 years of equivalent civil school to complete a bachelor’s degree in theology and undertake a two year placement in a Catholic parish setting in Melbourne. In 2013, Kevin commenced chaplaincy, and since this time has undertaken postings to RAAF Amberley, RAAF Tindal, RAAF East Sale, RAAF Wagga and RAAF Williamtown. Over this period, he has undertaken a deployment to the Middle East. He has assumed leadership roles within chaplaincy assuming a senior coordinating role at RAAF Wagga and RAAF Williamtown.
Whilst Kevin initially served as a non-ordained Catholic chaplain, God was knocking at his door, with the invitation to consider becoming a Permanent Deacon of the Church. After some time of further discernment and additional ministry formation, Kevin was ordained a deacon in Brisbane in May 2017.
Kevin is being medically discharged from the ADF at the end of April 2025. Its goes without saying, Kevin will be sorely missed, as a chaplain who has given of himself entirety to those he has been called to serve, he is a respected leader, compassionate and caring. He is a man of deep character who has faced many challenges in his personal and professional life with hope, grit and determination.
The late Pope Francis often called us to walk together, both physically and spiritually, in the love of Christ. This sharing of our personal pilgrimage is sacred and enriched all of us in our personal journeys as disciples of the Risen Lord. Kevin has shared with us his deep faith and he continues to challenge us. We are appreciative of his significant gifts, but most importantly, the vulnerability that he has shared with many of us is profound. We, in the Military Diocese, are very appreciated of Kevin’s journey and hold him very close to us as he transitions out of uniform into the next stage of his life. May he continue to be our brother in his continuing journey of life and faith.
Thank you, Kevin, we're very appreciative of all that you have given in service and wish you every blessing and love into the future.
Thank you Kevin
