Thomas L. Solhjem

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.

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]

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]

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