
CHAPLAIN (COLONEL) MICHAEL A. MILTON
Chaplain (Colonel) Michael A. Milton retired from the United States Army on February 28, 2018, after 32 years of distinguished service. His retirement was recognized with the Legion of Merit for “exceptionally meritorious service while serving in positions of increasing responsibility, culminating a 32-year career as the Command Chaplain for the Military Intelligence Readiness Command.” Additionally, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) nominated him for the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest public service award in North Carolina, which was conferred by the Governor in honor of Chaplain Milton’s contributions to the Armed Forces, North Carolina families, and higher education in the state.
The retirement ceremony was held at the United States Armed Forces Chaplain Center and School, with participation from both Army and Navy officers, symbolizing his contributions to both branches of service.

Military Career
Chaplain Milton concluded his career as the Command Chaplain of the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Readiness Command (MIRC), where he provided religious support to one of the premier global military intelligence agencies in the Armed Forces Reserve. He was appointed to this role on October 1, 2015, by a United States Army Reserve Command (USARC) board.
Previous Assignments
- Faculty Member, U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School (Subject Matter Expert in Homiletics, Pastoral Care, and Liturgics; Senior Editor for the Chaplain Corps Journal).
- Deputy Command Chaplain, 108th Training Division (USAR).
- Assistant Division Chaplain, 81st Division.
- Special Projects Chaplain (Writer), Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Pentagon.
- Battalion Chaplain in Lawrence, Kansas.
- Protestant Chaplain for the Mannheim, Germany, military community during overseas operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
- Chaplain to the U.S. Military Disciplinary Barracks, Leavenworth.
- Former Top Secret Navy Linguist (Albanian), serving with the Defense Language Institute and the U.S. Air Force School of Applied Cryptology.
Civilian Ministry and Academic Contributions
Chaplain Milton is an ordained Presbyterian minister endorsed by the Presbyterian and Reformed Commission on Chaplains (PRCC). His civilian ministry includes:
- Founding two congregations (Kansas and Georgia) and a K-12 academy.
- Serving as Senior Minister of the historic First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- Serving as Chancellor-President of Reformed Theological Seminary (2007–2014).
- Holding the James Ragsdale Chair of Missions and Evangelism at Erskine College and Seminary.
Dr. Milton is also the President of Faith for Living, Inc., and the D. James Kennedy Institute, providing pastoral residency programs for newly ordained clergy.
Education
- PhD – Historical Theology | University of Wales
- Postdoctoral Certification – Higher Education Teaching and Learning | Harvard University
- DMin – Higher Education Teaching and Learning| Erskine College and Graduate School
- MPA – Public Administration | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- MDiv – Pastoral Ministry | Knox Theological Seminary (with honors)
- BA – Management and Sociology | MidAmerica Nazarene University (with distinction)
- Diploma (now AS) – Foreign Language, Cryptology | Defense Language Institute
Awards and Decorations

Figure 2: The Legion of Merit.
- Legion of Merit
- Meritorious Service Medal (2)
- Army Commendation Medal (2)
- Army Achievement Medal (2)
- Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (5th Award)
- Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal
- National Defense Service Medal (2 Bronze Service Stars)
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon (2)
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device and 30-Year Gold Hourglass
- Additional service and campaign ribbons.
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Pastoral Counselors
- Association of Certified Christian Chaplains
- Military Chaplains Association
- Sons of the Revolution (Gen. Davidson Chapter, NC)
- The Royal Society of St. George
- The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society
Publications and Music
Dr. Milton is the author of 30 books and numerous peer-reviewed journal articles. He is also a composer and recording artist with four albums of original music.
Personal Life
Chaplain Milton resides in Tryon, North Carolina, with his wife. They have eight children, and their family enjoys exploring “The Old North State” and cultivating hybrid roses.