Retired July 31, 2011
Director of the National Guard Chaplain Corps and Air National Guard Assistant to the United States Air Force Chief of Chaplains
Chaplain (Major General) John B. Ellington, Jr., directed, oversaw, developed and implemented joint activities of the National Guard Bureau, Office of the Chaplain, for the Chief, National Guard Bureau. In addition, Chaplain Ellington served as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Chief of Chaplains, United States Air Force, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington District of Columbia. As the National Guard Assistant to the Air Force Chief of Chaplains, he provided advice on all aspects of the Air National Guard Chaplain Service to achieve maximum operational efficiency between active duty chaplain components and Air National Guard chaplain assets. Chaplain Ellington was the primary advisor on religious, ethical, moral, and morale issues to the 450,000 members of the National Guard and to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. Moreover, he provided joint policies, guidance and programs to the 2,200 National Guard Chaplain Corps personnel, supporting federal and domestic missions. In his capacity as the Director of the National Guard Bureau, Office of the Chaplain, Chaplain Ellington served as an advisor to the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, Office of the Secretary of Defense, on matters of religion, ethics ecclesiastical relations, spiritual care and quality-of-life.
Chaplain Ellington was commissioned in the Air National Guard in March 1979 and served as installation staff chaplain at the 178th Tactical Fighter Group, Springfield, Ohio, until July of 1990. He then was selected as the State Staff Chaplain, Headquarters, Ohio Air National Guard. Chaplain Ellington was called to active duty during Operation Desert Storm and provided full-time ministry during National Guard deployments and redeployments.
1972 Malone College, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Religion, Canton, Ohio
1975 Methodist Theological School of Ohio, Master of Divinity, Delaware, Ohio
1979 Wright State University, Master of Science, Counseling, Dayton, Ohio
1992 Ashland Theological Seminary, Doctorate of Ministry, Ashland, Ohio
1993 Air War College, by Seminar
1. March 1979 - July 1990, Installation Staff Chaplain, 178th Tactical Fighter Group, Ohio Air National Guard, Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport, Springfield, Ohio
2. July 1990 - February 1994, State Chaplain, Headquarters, Ohio Air National Guard, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio
3. March 1994 - July 2003, Chief, Air National Guard Chaplain Service, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia
4. July 2003 - January 2005, Chief, National Guard Chaplain Service, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia
5. January 2005 - October 2006, Air National Guard Assistant to the Chief of Chaplains, United States Air Force, Bolling Air Force Base, District of Columbia
6. October 2006 - July 2011, Director - National Guard Chaplain Service, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with a Silver Hourglass)
Air Force Training Ribbon
Senior Pastor Indian Lake Community Church in Russells Point, Ohio
The John and Ruth Mount Alumni Award for specialized ministry from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, 17 October 2005
First Lieutenant 20 March 1979
Captain 7 July 1981
Major 10 August 1985
Lieutenant Colonel 19 September 1989
Colonel 24 June 1994
Brigadier General 5 January 2006
Major General 1 August 2008
(Current as of October 2011)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.