FORT HOOD, Texas -- A Division West officer becomes the first Army chaplain to attend the United States Air Force Air War College at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama.
Chap. (Lt. Col.) Kenneth R. Sorenson, former First Army Division West command chaplain, went through a thorough selection process to gain a seat in this esteemed course.
"It's an amazing opportunity for him. He's certainly earned his place in a very prestigious professional development environment," said Maj. Gen. Jeffrey N. Colt, Division West commanding general. "Resident attendance to Senior Service College is highly selective, and it's even more selective to go to a sister Service College."
Sorenson further commented on the rarity of his selection to the course.
"I'm the first Army chaplain to attend the Air War College," said Sorenson. "Only five chaplains from the Army are allowed to attend the Army War College in residency per class, so I'm triply grateful for this rare opportunity.
"I'm also overwhelmed by the goodness of God that I can go and represent the Army and the chaplaincy," Sorenson added.
The Air War College is the senior professional military education school of the Air Force. A part of the Air Force's Air University, AWC emphasizes the employment of air, space, and cyberspace in joint operations. The AWC resident program at Maxwell AFB consists of 10 months of graduate level courses for a total of 36 credit hours. Graduates receive a Masters of Strategic Studies.
"My gratitude level for being selected is way off the charts," said Sorenson. "I'm still simply just in awe."
AWC is one of six war colleges within the Department of Defense's Joint Professional Military Education. The U.S. military emphasizes and encourages joint efforts between the five services; an outlook also shared by Sorenson.
"I've been praying for years to go to a school that is mixed with all services and components," said Sorenson. "It's a place to glean wisdom, knowledge and experience from everyone."
It was difficult for Sorenson's wife, Patrice, to contain her excitement while sharing her thoughts on her husband's selection for this joint professional environment.
"I'm really excited for him," she said. "I think it's a great opportunity for him as an officer and to represent the chaplains corps while there.
"It will be good to see what he can bring to the table as an Army chaplain," she added.
The Sorensons also thank those who cultivated the chaplain before his departure to the AWC.
"Division West is a community and family that helps people to thrive," said the chaplain.
"I believe that Ken was selected because of the people in Division West that have trained him and brought him to a place where he can go and represent the Army well," added Patrice.
This is a shared mindset from Division West personnel, especially those who have worked closely with the chaplain.
"He's a pioneer to the Army chaplaincy by attending this course," said Master Sgt. Felix Ramos, Division West master religious affairs noncommissioned officer and Sorenson's chaplain's assistant.
"He's truly missed around the division," added Ramos. "Not only for his humanity, but also his passion to take care of Soldiers."
Soldiers of the division and those mobilizing under Division West profited from Sorenson's knowledge and heart. Colt spoke on how others may glean from his life as well.
"I think a lot of other people in that program will benefit from his presence," said Colt.
Sorenson also gives a forecast for what he expects from the training.
"Personally, I think it's going to be an environment to grow in my appreciation for the military -- all components and services, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard," said Sorenson. "We'll all serve the military well."
It suggests a great future for Chap. Sorenson, said Colt.
"It's about joint exposure," said Colt. "Future operational environments mandate jointness and this requires an understanding these perspectives and the challenges of other services will stretch him and help him better understand how he can assist, not just Army forces and families, but sister service forces that he'll be dealing with in the future."
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