A longtime Catholic community leader based in the southwestern United States, Father Thomas Maikowski has spent more than 25 years as a reserve chaplain with the United States Air Force. During his time as an Air Force chaplain, Father Thomas Maikowski has delivered spiritual care to enlisted personnel and provided an opportunity for families to exercise their right to freedom of religion.
Members of the Air Force Chaplain Corps come from a diverse array of backgrounds, representing a number of different cultures and denominations. The Air Force Chaplain Corps welcomes candidates from organizations such as Active Duty, Reserves, the Chaplain Candidate Program, and the Air National Guard.
Those interested in joining the Air Force Chaplain Corps can also apply to become a Chaplain Assistant. Chaplain Assistants support their ministries via administrative and logistical contribution, as well as direct involvement of units. Because the chaplain assistant career field qualifies as a retrainee-only specialty, the Air Force Chaplain Corps typically directs enlisted airmen to the senior enlisted leader of their installation chapels.
