Military Chaplaincy
Presence before preaching
Tony Locke was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1995 and served as a chaplain candidate in the Individual Ready Reserve from May 1995 to November 2005. He completed the Chaplain Officer Basic Course at Fort Monmouth, NJ, served with the 187th Ordnance Battalion at Fort Jackson, SC, and was honorably discharged in 2005.
The Fortress Coffee House
At Fort Jackson, young soldiers in Advanced Individual Training gathered at the Fortress Coffee House. I scheduled counseling on nights and weekends so no soldier missed training to get care. With a great team, weekly attendance grew from about 20 to 25 soldiers to 90 to 100. My executive officer, LTC Robert S. Coltrain, wrote that I “placed soldiers’ needs ahead of his personal convenience.” I received the Army Achievement Medal and was promoted to First Lieutenant in March 1997.
Still serving those who serve
The chaplain's heart never leaves. With Tom Boyd I co-founded Visiting Chaplains, coaching 34 chaplains toward board certification, and I served as a chaplain at Northside Hospital in Lawrenceville in 2024. National Service Charity continues that work.
Questions people ask
What is the IRR?
The Individual Ready Reserve is part of the U.S. Army Reserve made up of trained soldiers who can be called to duty. Tony served as a chaplain candidate in the IRR from May 1995 to November 2005.
Does Tony speak to veterans groups?
Yes. Faith Under Fire is one of his signature talks for veterans, military families, chaplains and first responders.
“Chaplain Candidate Locke made a substantial contribution to the growth of the Fortress Coffee House ministry to AIT Soldiers. … He placed soldiers’ needs ahead of his personal convenience consistently scheduling counseling during off hours and weekends to ensure that the soldiers missed no training and received the pastoral care needed.”
Invite Tony to speak
Churches, veterans groups, chaplain gatherings and business teams. Tony comes to serve your people, not to perform.
Start an invitation