Allegiance United States Rank Brigadier General | Years of service 1974–present Service/branch United States Army | |
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Commands held Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army Awards Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit (1), Bronze Star Medal (4) | ||
Thomas Lynn Solhjem (born 1956) currently serves as the 25th Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army. Solhjem is the first ordained Assemblies of God minister to attain the position.
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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. 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.
Role and responsibilities
As the Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain Solhjem serves 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.