Thomas L. Solhjem

Thomas Lynn Solhjem (born 1956) currently serves as the 25th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army. Solhjem is the first ordained Assemblies of God minister to attain the position.

Thomas L. Solhjem
Chaplain (Major General) Thomas L. Solhjem
25th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army
Born1956 (age 63–64)
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1974–present
Rank Major General
Commands heldChief of Chaplains of the United States Army
Awards

Education

Chaplain Solhjem received his Bachelors of Arts in Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries from North Central University in 1982. He completed his Masters of Divinity with Bethel Theological Seminary in 1988. In addition, he holds a second master's degree in Military Strategic Studies.

Military career

Chaplain Solhjem began his military career in 1974 with the 82nd Combat Engineer Battalion. After serving on active duty for two years, he transferred to the Army Reserve where he remained for fourteen years. After finishing his Masters of Divinity, he accessioned as an active duty Chaplain in 1988.

He has given direct religious support to soldiers, totaling more than 68 months in combat zones.[1] Prior to his appointment as the Deputy Chief of Chaplains, he served in various key leadership positions to include U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), Command Chaplain, Fort Bragg, NC as well as Command Chaplain, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, FL.

In July 2015, Solhjem was promoted to brigadier general and assigned as the 25th Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army.[2] In May 2019, Colonel William Green Jr., an African American Baptist minister, was nominated to succeed him as Deputy Chief of Chaplains.[3][4] On May 31, 2019, Solhjem was promoted to major general and assigned as the 25th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army.[5][6]

Role and responsibilities

As the Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain Solhjem served as the chief strategist for the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps and senior coordinating general officer for actions assigned to Assistant Chiefs of Chaplains (Reserve Component) and the USACHCS Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army. As a member of the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, he and other members advise the Secretary of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff on religious, ethical and quality-of-life concerns.[2][7]

Awards and decorations
Combat Action Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Ranger Tab
Army Staff Identification Badge
75th Ranger Regiment Combat Service Identification Badge
Silver German Parachutist Badge
U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Distinctive Unit Insignia
10 Overseas Service Bars
 Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
 Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
 Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Valorous Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Commendation
 National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with service star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with four service stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with four service stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze Hourglass device
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 5
NATO Medal for service with ISAF
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
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References
  1. http://penews.org/news/chaplain-promoted-to-brigadier-general
  2. Miele, Jonathan C. (29 September 2015). "Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain (Brigadier General) Thomas L. Solhjem". United States Army. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  3. Mitchell, Jr., Nevalon (22 November 2018). "Chaplains/Ecclesiastical Endorsement Ministry". The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  4. "PN801 — Col. William Green Jr. — Army". U.S. Congress. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  5. "PN457 — Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Solhjem — Army". U.S. Congress. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  6. Jorgensen, Eric (4 June 2019). "Chief of Chaplains". United States Army. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  7. https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-solhjem-684b4a64

Media related to Thomas L. Solhjem at Wikimedia Commons

Military offices
Preceded by
Charles R. Bailey		 Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army
2015–2019		 Succeeded by
William Green Jr.
Preceded by
Paul K. Hurley		 Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army
2019–present		 Incumbent
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