MILITARY BIO

Chaplain (Colonel) Joel Jenkins, U.S. Army (RET), a native of Greenville, SC, served as a U. S. Army chaplain for nearly 27 years. Immediately following “9/11,” Chaplain Jenkins was mobilized from the Virginia Army National Guard, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 29th Infantry Division. He reported to the Pentagon where he was assigned to the position of Deputy Pentagon Chaplain. In this role, he officiated at the first Memorial Services held in the Pentagon for personnel who were killed in the attack. 

These first Memorial Services were held in the Pentagon Auditorium on September 25, 2001, two weeks to the day following 9/11. The first Memorial Service was fro LTC Jerry Dickerson, and SSG Maudlyn White. Two days later he officiated at the Memorial Service for MAJ Wallace Cole Hogan and Mrs.Dianne Hale-McKinzy. These four individuals worked together, and died together, in their respective Pentagon offices.  Chaplain Jenkins includes their stories in his book, THESE HONORED DEAD.

For his service at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld presented Chaplain Jenkins a certificate which Includes the line: “In recognition of the comfort and assistance you provided to the family members of the heroes who died in the line of duty at the Pentagon.”

From June 2006 until June 2007, Chaplain Jenkins served as the Command Chaplain for the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, on General Martin Dempsey’s staff. General Dempsey would later serve as the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. At the end of his Iraq tour, General Dempsey presented Chaplain Jenkins the Bronze Star Medal. The Medal citation included the following: “IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING ECUMENICAL SERVICES TO PERSONNEL IN THE INTERNATIONAL ZONE, HE PUT HIMSELF IN HARM’S WAY WITHOUT HESITATION BY TRAVELING THROUGHOUT SOME OF THE MORE DANGEROUS REGIONS IN IRAQ TO ATTEND TO THE NEEDS OF SERVICE MEMBERS LOCATED IN BASE CAMPS AND FORWARD OPERATING BASES.”

Returning from Iraq, Chaplain Jenkins was assigned to Fort Bragg from 2007-2011. During this period, on two occasions, the entire 82nd Airborne Division of 21,000 paratroopers deployed. Division units served simultaneously in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2009-2010, during the second full deployment, Chaplain Jenkins served as the Division 

Rear Detachment Chaplain, and supervised six other chaplains and chaplain assistants. During this 15 month long deployment, duties of these chaplains encompassed all forms of casualty assistance, including assisting with notifications to the next of kin following the deaths of fallen paratroopers. The 82nd’s motto is, “We bury our own!” In the event of the death of an 82nd paratrooper, a burial detail, including a chaplain, travels to assist with each fallen paratrooper’s funeral, regardless of its location.

Chaplain Jenkins, like his fellow chaplains, traveled all across America to conduct funerals of 82nd troopers who died serving in either Iraq or Afghanistan. As the “Rear D” chaplain, he also officiated at a monthly Division Memorial Ceremony. This Ceremony was designed to collectively honor the Division’s fallen paratroopers from the previous month. Often, these ceremonies honored multiple casualties. 

The highest honor for any military chaplain is to officiate at the funeral of a service member killed in action. During his career, Chaplain Jenkins officiated at such services for well over 150 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who gave that, “last full measure,” including officiating at burials at Arlington National Cemetery.

Chaplain Jenkins and his wife, Donna, are proud parents of three children, and five grandchildren. He and his wife, Donna, make their home in Charlottesville, VA.