BRIGADIER GENERAL PAUL E. FRANZ
Retired October 01, 2023
Chaplain, Brig. Gen. Paul E. Franz was the Air National Guard Assistant to the Chief of Chaplains, HQ USAF. He was the principal advisor to the Chief of Chaplains on all matters pertaining to the 600 ANG Chaplain Corps members serving 90 Wings and 54 States, Territories and the District of Columbia, in order to achieve maximum operational synergy with active duty forces. He also advised on all matters relating to the utilization of ANG Chaplain Corps personnel covering the full spectrum of readiness, religious support and spiritual fitness for homeland and global operations. In addition, Chaplain Franz led eight ANG Senior Leader chaplains assigned to six Major Commands, two Combatant Commands and two Numbered Air Forces.
Chaplain Franz received his appointment to the USAF Academy from the enlisted ranks and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the USAF, in 1982. After graduating pilot training, he served as an RF-4C aircraft commander and T-38 Instructor Pilot. Upon completion of a master’s degree from Denver Seminary, he was later commissioned as a chaplain in the Colorado ANG. As a former military pilot, he has accumulated over 1,715 flight hours, including duty in Italy and Panama. As a chaplain he has supported military members from four service branches, during both foreign and domestic operations. Prior to his current position, Chaplain Franz served as the Joint Force Headquarters-Colorado State Chaplain.
EDUCATION
1982 Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy, USAF Academy, Colorado
1990 Master of Science in Computer Science, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas
2009 Master of Arts in Counseling, Denver Seminary, Littleton, Colorado
2013 Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), by correspondence
2013 United States Air Force Deputy Wing Chaplain Course, Fort Jackson, S.C.
2015 Air War College, by correspondence
2021 Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC), Arlington, VA
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1982 - September 1983, Student Pilot, Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2. September 1983 - November 1984, Student Pilot, RF-4C Replacement Training Unit, Bergstrom AFB, Texas
3. November 1984 - February 1987, RF-4C Aircraft Commander, Howard AFB, Republic of Panama)
4. February 1987 - July 1987, T-38 Pilot Instructor Training (PIT) student, Sheppard AFB, Texas
5. July 1987 - January 1988, T-38 Instructor Pilot, Sheppard AFB, Texas
6. January 1988 - May 1988, T-38 Instructor Pilot, T-38 Runway Supervisory Unit (RSU) Observer, Sheppard AFB, Texas
7. May 1988 - May 1989, T-38 Instructor Pilot, T-38 Academic Instructor, Sheppard AFB, Texas
8. May 1989 - June 1990, T-38 Instructor Pilot, Chief of T-38 academics, Sheppard AFB, Texas
9. June 1990 - January 2004, Ready Reserve, Air Reserve Center, Lowry AFB, Colo.
10. July 2010 - July 2012, Protestant Chaplain, Colorado Air National Guard (COANG), 140th Wing, Buckley AFB, Colo.
11. July 2012 - April 2013, Chaplain, COANG, 140th Wing, Buckley AFB, Colo.
12. April 2013 - January 2015, Wing Chaplain, COANG, 140th Wing, Buckley AFB, Colo. (June 2013 – June 2013, 140th Wing/Base Chaplain, Azraq AB, Jordan) (March 2014 – April 2014, State Active Duty, Fatality Search and Recovery Team Chaplain, 140th Wing, Task Force Slide, Oso, Wash.)
13. January 2015 - April 2019, JFHQ-CO State Chaplain, Joint Force Headquarters, Colo.
14. February 2021 - August 2023, ANG Assistant to the Chief of Chaplains, HQ USAF (AF/HC), Bolling AFB, DC
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Pilot
Flight hours: More than 1715
Aircraft flown: RF-4C, T-37, T-38, T-41
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long
Air Force Longevity Service with two oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with oak leaf cluster
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
Air Force Training Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1976 Honor Graduate, Basic Military Training School
1976 Honor Graduate, Aircraft Maintenance Specialist School
1979 Parachutist Badge
2010 Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Lorraine K. Potter Chaplaincy Award
2011 Basic Chaplain Course Outstanding Leadership Award
2011 Basic Chaplain Course Distinguished Graduate
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant June 2, 1982
First Lieutenant June 2, 1984
Captain June 2, 1986
Major Sept. 21, 2007
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 3, 2013
Colonel May 25, 2017
Brigadier General Feb. 1, 2021
Major General Feb. 1, 2021
(Current as of September 2024)
