Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) John Painter is the Mobilization Assistant to the Air Force Chief of Chaplains, Headquarters, United States Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. As a member of the special staff of the Chief of Staff, Chaplain Painter assists the Chief of Chaplains in establishing guidance on all matters pertaining to the religious and moral welfare of Air Force personnel and their dependents. He is the principal advisor to the Chief of Chaplains for training, readiness, and sourcing the Air Reserve Chaplain Corps. He sustains the Reserve Component perspective in Chaplain Corps doctrine development, strategic communication, resourcing, and support. Chaplain Painter formulates development of the Chaplain Corps Strategic Plan and Total Force Policy Integration of Chaplain Corps assets to maintain a trained, equipped, and professional Chaplain Corps of approximately 2,000 chaplains and religious affairs Airmen from the Regular and Air Reserve components. As a member of the Armed Forces Chaplain Board, he and other members advise the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff on religious, ethical and quality-of-life concerns. He also serves as a member of the Reserve Chaplain Corps Council and the Air Force Reserve Chaplain Development Team.
Chaplain Painter, a 1989 graduate of The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, received a direct commission following graduation from Southern Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, in 1997. He was ordained in 1996 and subsequently endorsed to serve as a Chaplain by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. He has served as both a Traditional Reservist and an Individual Mobilization Augmentee. He has served as Deputy Command Chaplain at United States Southern Command, IMA to the Command Chaplain, Air Force Special Operations Command, and IMA to the Chief of Personnel and Readiness, Air Force Reserve Command. In his civilian capacity, Chaplain Painter serves as a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chaplain.
EDUCATION
1989 Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, The Citadel, Charleston, S.C.
1993 Master of Divinity, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky.
1997 Doctor of Philosophy, Old Testament Literature, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky.
2002 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2006 Air Command Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2010 Naval Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2014 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 1997–August 2003, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Wing Chaplain, 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.
2. August 2003–April 2006, Chaplain, 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, S.C.
3. April 2006–April 2011, Deputy Wing Chaplain, 315th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C. (September 2008–December 2008, Group Chaplain, Ali Air Base, Iraq)
4. April 2011–November 2015, Wing Chaplain, 315th Airlift Wing, JB Charleston, S.C.
5. November 2015–October 2017, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Chief, Personnel and Readiness, Command Chaplain, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, Ga. (July 2017–October 2017, Deputy Command Chaplain, Headquarters United States Southern Command, Miami, Fla.)
6. October 2017–April 2019, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Command Chaplain, Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
7. April 2019–November 2020, Mobilization Assistant to the Air Force Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Headquarters United States Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
8. December 2020–present, Mobilization Assistant to the Air Force Chief of Chaplains, Headquarters United States Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Navy Achievement Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass and two “M” devices
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2003–2004 Air Force Reserve Command Outstanding Chaplain Program Award
2005–2006 Air Force Reserve Command Chaplain Team Readiness Award
2009–Military Chaplains Association Distinguished Service Award
2013–2014 Air Force Reserve Command Chaplain Team Ministry of Presence Award
2020–Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Carl Hart Excellence in Chaplaincy Award
PUBLICATIONS
“Effects of Combat and Military Training on End of Life Care,” Journal of Palliative Medicine, Vol. 19, Number 10, Mary Anne Liebert, Inc.: 2010
"Help for the Journey: A Guide for Families Following an Inpatient Death," Published by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Medical Media Department, July 20, 2009
"Experiencing Grief," Published by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Medical Media Department, July 20, 2009
"Preparing for Your Loved One's Death," Published by the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Medical Media Department, October 3, 2008
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Reserve Officers Association, Life Member
National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
First Lieutenant Sept. 3, 1997
Captain Oct. 1, 2000
Major Aug. 18, 2005
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 7, 2011
Colonel May 1, 2017
Brigadier General Oct. 10, 2021
(Current as of October 2022)