Inaugural Chief of Chaplains transitions to full-time focus on global ministries, military scripture distribution, and acclaimed military hymns
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Military Bible Association
Sept. 4, 2026
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Sept. 4, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — The Military Bible Association has announced that its founder, Chaplain (COLONEL) James F. Linzey, United States National Defense Corps (Ret.), has officially transitioned to retired status from his historic post as the 1st Chief of Chaplains of the United States National Defense Corps (USNDC).
Chaplain Jim Linzey performs Al Martino’s arrangement of “Spanish Eyes” at the Celebrity Centre International in Hollywood, California, on Aug. 22, 2026. (Photo: Huguette Leduc)
Colonel Linzey’s historic tenure caps a lifetime of dedicated military and civic service. After serving honorably across active duty, guard, and reserve components in the Air Force and the Army, he retired as a Major from the United States Army in 2009. In 2016 to 2020, he was by name requested to lead the Protestant Worship Services at the Airman-Marine Memorial Chapel by permission of the Commanding Officer of MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, serving under the Command Chaplain, Commander Manuel A. “Don” Biadog, CHC, USN.
In 2020, his leadership was tapped by the United States Volunteers-Joint Services Command (USV-JSC), where he was picked up for the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 2022, following two years of distinguished service with USV-JSC, he was simultaneously promoted to the rank of Colonel and requested by name to serve as the historic, inaugural Chief of Chaplains for the United States National Defense Corps. During his monumental tenure as the 1st Chief of Chaplains, Colonel Linzey built a robust structural foundation for the Corps’ spiritual operations, recruiting dedicated field chaplains nationwide to serve veterans and first responders.
As a seminarian, he was told he would one day be the Chief of Chaplains. Linzey, a former student of Captain Russell P. Spittler, CHC, USN (Ret.), Ph.D., the former Academic Dean and Senior Professor of New Testament of Fuller Theological Seminary, reminisced: “When I was a student at Fuller I had taken the course Military Chaplaincy, taught by Dr. Spittler. A colleague of mine said to me while browsing books at the Fuller Seminary Bookstore, ‘One day you will be the Chief of Chaplains.’ Carrying the rigorous training and spiritual foundation laid by Dr. Spittler at Fuller, that long-ago prediction became a reality when I assumed the mantle as the Corps’ first Chief of Chaplains.”
Stepping into full retirement from the defense support corps allows Chaplain Linzey to dedicate 100% of his focus to his vast global ministries. This includes being available to speak on behalf of the Modern English Version (MEV) Bible, for which he serves as the Chief Editor, leading the Military Bible Association, which he founded, and expanding performances of his critically acclaimed sacred masterworks, the official U.S. Space Force Hymn, “Creator of the Universe,” and the official U.S. Army Hymn, “Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer.”
After serving in the Air Force and the Army, it never occurred to Chaplain Linzey that his colleague’s statement of becoming a Chief of Chaplains of any organization would come true. “It has been a profound privilege to establish the inaugural Chaplaincy framework for the USNDC,” said Chaplain Linzey. “As I transition into this retirement status, I look forward to giving my full energy to singing and speaking, and providing military Bibles to spiritually strengthen our active-duty service members, veterans, and their families worldwide.”
About Jim Linzey:
Chaplain (COLONEL) James F. Linzey, USNDC (Ret.) is a highly decorated minister, author, and musician with an unparalleled legacy of service to God and Country:
• Inaugural Positions: Served in 2006 as the first full-time chaplain for the U.S. Army Cadet Command’s Leader’s Training Course (now Cadet Summer Training). Served in 2022 to 2026 as the 1st Chief of Chaplains of the United States National Defense Corps.
• Historic Hymns: The only living author of a military hymn, having composed both the official U.S. Space Force Hymn (“Creator of the Universe”) and the official U.S. Army Hymn (“Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer”).
• Military Prayer: The only living author of an official institutional military prayer, the United States Army Cadet Command Prayer.
• Musical Innovation: Rearranged the U.S. Air Force Hymn, “Lord, Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly,” from a 3/4 waltz meter into a majestic 4/4 military hymn template.
• Literary & Theological Works: Chief Editor of the Modern English Version (MEV) Bible translation, author of Moral Leadership, and editor of The Leader’s Bible and Manchuria to Midway by his father—Captain Stanford E. Linzey, Jr., CHC, USN (Ret.) (soon to be released). His forthcoming book is titled Military Chaplaincy.
SOURCE Military Bible Association
CONTACT: (760) 855-3905, militarybibleassociation@gmail.com, militarybibleassociation.com