Chaplain Clarke L. McGriff on 1 February 2011 completed a distinguished 30 year career as an Army Officer and Military Chaplain. A North Carolina native, he graduated with honors from N.C. A&T State University in 1977 receiving the BA degree (Cum Laude) in Political Science while also being designated a Distinguished Military Graduate. He was honored this year by the A&T ROTC Department by his induction into the AGGIE Battalion Hall Of Fame. In early January 1981, Chaplain McGriff married the former Susan J. Parker of Mill Valley, California. They have four children and three grandchildren.
An ordained American Baptist minister and endorsed by the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., Chaplain McGriff earned the Master of Divinity degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Mill Valley, California in 1980 and the Master of Arts degree from Kansas State University in 1988. He later earned the Master of Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Army War College in 2002.
Chaplain McGriff has the distinction of serving as the only African American Commandant of the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School in its 93-year history and was also the first Director of the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Center at Fort Jackson, S.C. His final assignment was as the Command Chaplain of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, VA. His operational deployments include Operation Vigilant Warrior and Operation Joint Forge.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made to give God praise. The Lord is my great Shepherd and so I want for nothing. God is my refuge and my strength - a very present Help in trouble. God is my light and my salvation, so I fear no one and I fear no thing. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of God in the land of the living.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD. I found a wife and I have God's favor. Children are an heritage from the LORD, offspring is a reward from Him. I have 4 Children and 3 Grandchildren. They are my wonderful heritage and my great reward.
I have lived a wonderful life. Momma and Daddy set me up for success in Jesus. The world is mean but God is good, so it always comes out in my favor. My plan going forward is to throw off everything that hinders me and also the sin that keeps showing up in my life. I intend to run with patience the race that God has designed and set before me.
Henceforth, I will look only to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. And when my race is done, I shall leave this place and go to a better place which God has prepared for me. And for those that I leave here who are dear to me, I pray that in the end you can say of me simply, "Beautiful Feet".
Recent military retiree. Established Living Stones Relationships Plus, LLC in March 2011, a ministry that serves Families, couples, singles, youth and children. The purpose is to train skills that will enhance and strengthen relationships through classes, seminars and retreats. I contuinue to preash throughout the nation.
Facilitator/Trainer|
Active Relationships Center
From January 2010 to Current • 16 year(s)
Provides training and facilitation services for relationship education and counseling.
Command Chaplain|
U.S. Army Initial Military Command
From January 2010 to December 2011 • 1 year(s)
Served as senior chaplain providing religious and pastoral services.
TRADOC Command Chaplain|
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
From January 2008 to December 2010 • 2 year(s)
Senior chaplain for Army training and doctrine command operations.
Commandant|
U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School
From January 2006 to December 2008 • 2 year(s)
Led chaplain training and education programs for military personnel.
I CORPS Command Chaplain|
U.S. Army 1st U.S. CORPS
From January 2003 to December 2006 • 3 year(s)
Provided senior chaplain services and leadership for corps-level operations.
Command Chaplain|
U.S. Army 19th Theater Support Command
From January 2002 to December 2003 • 1 year(s)
Senior chaplain for theater support operations in South Korea.
Division Chaplain|
U.S. Army 3d Infantry Division
From January 1999 to December 2001 • 2 year(s)
Provided chaplain services for infantry division including deployment to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Logistics/Military Construction Manager|
Office of the Chief of Army Chaplains
From January 1996 to December 1999 • 3 year(s)
Managed logistics and construction projects for Army chaplain operations.
Brigade Chaplain|
U.S. Army 3d & 24th Infantry Divisions
From January 1993 to December 1996 • 3 year(s)
Provided chaplain services for infantry brigade operations.
Staff Chaplain|
U.S. Army Chemical Activity Pacific
From January 1992 to December 1993 • 1 year(s)
Chaplain services for chemical activity operations in Pacific theater.
Director|
Chaplain Family Life Center
From January 1988 to December 1992 • 4 year(s)
Directed family life education and counseling programs.
Battalion Chaplain|
U.S. Army 701st Main Support Battalion
From January 1987 to December 1987 • 0 year(s)
Provided chaplain services for support battalion operations.
Battalion Chaplain|
U.S. Army 2/187 (AIRBORNE) Infantry Battalion
From January 1983 to December 1986 • 3 year(s)
Chaplain services for airborne infantry operations in Republic of Panama.
Battalion Chaplain|
U.S. Army 4/63 Armor Battalion
From January 1981 to December 1983 • 2 year(s)
Provided chaplain services for armor battalion operations.
