Douglas Carver (chaplain)

Major General Douglas L. Carver is the current United States Army Chief of Chaplains. He replaced Major General David Hicks in 2007. Formerly Deputy Chief, Carver has been the Army’s top chaplain since July 2007. Officers normally serve in the post for four years. He is the first Southern Baptist chaplain to be promoted to the Chief of Chaplains office for active duty in more than 50 years. Nearly 2,500 Southern Baptist-endorsed chaplains serve in the military, healthcare, corporate and law enforcement fields. [http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/5905.article Carver's speech]

Education

Carver, who holds theology degrees from the University of Tennessee and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, was senior chaplain for V Corps and Combined Joint Task Force 7 in Germany and Iraq from 2002 through 2004.

Military career

Douglas Carver was director of training at the Chaplain Center and School, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Carver was originally commissioned in the field artillery. He served with the 4th Infantry Division. He left active duty, but served with the Army Reserve for five additional years. Upon returning to active duty in 1984, he attended the Chaplain Corps officer basic course and began his career as a chaplain.

Criticisms

Carver has been criticized for reportedly using "Apocalyptic religious warfare rhetoric" ("I'm not an end-times preacher, but I think something is up ... [T] his is our time, our destiny...") [http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/59273/ Criticism of Carver's alleged rhetorical excesses] .

Awards

Among his awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit with an oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and Ranger Tab.

References

* http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/59273/
* http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/05/army_chief_chaplains_070511w/
* http://baptistpress.org/BPSearch.asp?search=carver