Air Force Special Tactics chaplain named best among CGOs

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Jerred Moon
  • 24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
Air Force Special Tactics Chaplain (Capt.) Chad Montgomery was named the Air Force's top company grade chaplain in a recent announcement by Maj. Gen. Howard Stendahl, the Air Force Chief of Chaplains.

The Edwin R. Chess Award honors the late retired Maj. Gen. Edwin R. Chess, the fourth Air Force Chief of Chaplains. The winner is selected based on leadership and job performance, significant self-improvement, and base and community involvement.

Montgomery received the 2014 Edwin R. Chess Award for his outstanding accomplishments with the 724th Special Tactics Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

While deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Montgomery provided 37 joint task force members with spiritual guidance, which enabled the International Security Assistance Force to conduct operations.

"I'm very appreciative and humbled to be utilized by God, and I'm thankful to have been mentored by others with regard to ministerial excellence and growth in grace and truth," Montgomery said.

Montgomery helped more than 220 Airmen reintegrate following their deployments, helping them focus on being resilient.

"My parents were, and continue to be, phenomenal influences in my life. My wife has been my devoted partner in ministry and best friend who embraces these opportunities for our family to share life with others and nurture them," Montgomery said. "My extended family and the (Air Force Special Operations Command) Chaplain Corps have been very supportive."

Montgomery exemplified Air Force chaplains in the fight. He showed up in austere locations to counsel, lead worship or just to be a friend in a far-away place for special tactics Airmen.

Chaplain (Maj.) Jason Botts, the 24th Special Operations Wing Chaplain, said Montgomery is the real deal.

"I'm excited for Chad. He embodies the very best personal and professional qualities of our Chaplain Corps," Botts said. "On a broader scale, I'm thrilled by the award because it provides confirmation that the significant investment by our Air Force leadership to embed chaplains within the Air Force's most decorated combat unit is providing compelling return on investment."

Montgomery also shared a quote from Andrew Murray, which has helped him through the years: "Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is trouble."