Major Thomas B. Porter
- submitted July 2009
Air Force Chaplain
Major Thomas B. Porter
Biography - United States Air Force
Chaplain, Major Thomas B. Porter is the Staff Chaplain, United States Air Force Expeditionary Center, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Chaplain Porter is Course Director/Instructor for Chaplain Corps Functional Advanced Contingence Skills Training (ACST-HC) and provides Chaplain Corps oversight for the Eagle Flag Exercise. He coordinates with Joint Base McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst Chaplain Corps to provide pastoral resources to all center personnel and families.
Chaplain Porter enlisted in the Air Force in 1973 from Huntsville Alabama and served as a Telecommunications System Control Specialist. After separating from the Air Force, Chaplain Porter earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion from Birmingham Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama, in 1979, and a Master of Divinity from Emory University, Candler School of Theology in 1986. While serving United Methodist Church in North Alabama from 1981 until 1995; he entered the Chaplain Candidate program in 1983 transitioned to the Air Force Reserve Center in 1989 and then entered active duty in May 1995. Chaplain Porter has deployed twice in support of Operation Southern Watch in 1996 and 1997 and again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006.
EDUCATION
1973 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
1974 Telecommunication Systems Specialist Course, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
1979 Bachelor of Arts in Religion and History; Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama
1986 Master of Divinity degree, The Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, Georgia
1999 Squadron Officer School (in residence) Maxwell AFB, Alabama
2007 Air Command and Staff College (seminar leader), Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
2007 Academic Instructor Course, USAF EC, Ft Dix, New Jersey
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1973 - October 1973, Basic Military Training, 3727th Basic Military Training Squadron Flight 1056th, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. October 1973 - May 1974, Electronics-Technical School, 333rd Training Squadron, Keesler AFB, Mississippi
3. May1974 - August 1975, 5 Mobile Communications Group Warner-Robins AFB, Georgia
4. June 1983 - August 1983, Chaplain Candidate, 90th Air Base Wing, F. E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
5. June 1984 - August 1984, Chaplain Candidate, 88th Air Base Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
6. November 1989 - June 1990, Chaplain Candidate, Cat H, 226th Combat Communications Group, Air
National Guard, Alabama
7. February 1991 - April 1991, Chaplain, 375th Air Base Wing, Scott AFB, Illinois
8. June 1990 - May 1995, Protestant Chaplain, Cat B. Maxwell AFB, Alabama
9. May 1995 - June 1998, Protestant Chaplain, 355th Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
10. June 1998 - June 2001, Protestant Chaplain, 11th Wing, Bolling AFB, Washington DC
11. June 2001 - June 2002, Operations Chaplain, 451st Intelligence Operations Squadron, RAF Menwith Hill, United Kingdom
12. June 2002 - Aug 2004, Installation Chaplain, Det. 1, 70th Intelligence Wing, Royal Air Force, Menwith Hill, United Kingdom
13. Aug 2004 - July 2007, Senior Protestant Chaplain, 377th ABW, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
14. July 2007 -Present, Staff Chaplain, USAF Expeditionary Center, Fort Dix, New Jersey
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
1. Bronze Star
2. Defense Meritorious Service Medal
3. Meritorious Service Medal
4. Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
5. AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and three oak leaf clusters
6. AF Organizational Excellence Award
7. National Defense Service Medal with two bronze
8. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal one oak leaf cluster
9. Iraq Campaign Ribbon
10. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
11. AF Overseas Ribbon Long
12. Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border
13. AF Longevity Service with two oak leaf clusters
14. Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one 'M' device
15. AF Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant March 28, 1983
First Lieutenant November 26, 1989
Captain March 13, 1994
Major April 1, 2003