Biography

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Whit Woodard

Pacific Region Chaplain

 Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Whit Woodard was a Civil Air Patrol Cadet in the Florida Wing in 1954 prior to active service in the United States Air Force.  In 1967, as a senior member, he was appointed to the Chaplain Service.  He served as chaplain for a senior squadron and two assignments as a group chaplain before a break in service in 1973.  He returned to the USAF Auxiliary chaplaincy in 1995 as unit chaplain at Auburn Composite Squadron 92 in the California Wing.

While assigned in Auburn, Woodard was appointed chaplain for Gold Country Group 25 (later NorCal Group 5) in addition to other duties.  In March, 1998 his roles were reversed following a transfer to Group staff while he continued to serve Squadron 92 IAOD.  In October, 2000 he was named Deputy Pacific Region Chaplain and assumed the duties of Region Chaplain in July of 2004.  For several years, he has been the California Wing Liaison Officer for assistance to active duty chaplains at Travis AFB and has been cited for his participation in Operation Enduring Freedom.  Whit has served as a Cadet Encampment Chaplain in both California and Nevada Wings.  In September, 2001, he was appointed to the Council of Special Assistants to the Chief of CAP Chaplain Services, with the specific responsibility of developing curriculum for Region Chaplain Service Staff Colleges.  He now serves on the Chaplain Service Advisory Council.

Chaplain Woodard holds the Master Chaplain specialty rating; and Mission Chaplain, Mission Radio Operator and General Emergency Services qualifications.  He has completed the entire senior member training track through Level V.  In 1999, Chaplain Woodard developed and taught the Mission Chaplain Course which has since been adopted as curriculum for some Region Chaplain Services Staff Colleges.  In July of 1999, he presented the course at the CAP National Board Meeting in Denver, CO.  In that same year he was appointed to chair a committee to make recommendations to Pacific Region with regard to the chaplain’s role in emergency services.  

In 2002, Whit was honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Military Chaplain’s Association of the USA.  Subsequently, he was elected to the national Executive Committee.  He also serves as Secretary of the Northern California Chapter and as Editor of their newsletter.

Chaplain Woodard’s CAP decorations include the Gill Robb Wilson Award, the Exceptional Service Award with a Bronze Clasp, the Meritorious Service Award with a Bronze Clasp, two Commander’s Commendations, the Paul E. Garber Award, the Grover Loening Award, the Chuck Yeager Aerospace Education Achievement Award, Leadership Ribbon with a Silver Star, the Red Service Ribbon with a Bronze Clasp, and Encampment Ribbon.  In 2003, he was named a national Chaplain of the Year.

Woodard served as Deputy Senior Chaplain, Administrator and Training Officer for Placer County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy.  He holds the prestigious Master Chaplain diploma from the International Conference of Police Chaplains.

Whit holds Basic and Advanced Critical Incident Stress Management certification through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and is an approved instructor for the Pastoral Crisis Intervention and CISM: Individual and Peer Support courses leading to ICISF certification.  He serves as coordinator for the Placer County, California Critical Incident Stress Management team.

Whit is married to 1Lt. Nancy Woodard, who is assigned as a Moral Leadership Officer.  Two sons are career military, a TSgt. in the Air Force and a Captain in the Army.

 Current as of  December, 2004.