Dr. Brown: Vandenberg chaplain

Captain Aleck Brown, 30th Space Wing chaplain, poses with his various collegiate diplomas, June 29, 2015, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Brown recently obtained his Doctorate in Philosophy of Biblical Teaching from Newburgh Theological Seminary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Robert J. Volio/Released)

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Dr. Brown: Vandenberg chaplain

Published July 1, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Robert J. Volio

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The chaplains of Team Vandenberg go by many designations - mentors, educators, advisers, wingmen - to name a few. Captain Aleck Brown, Wing Staff Agency chaplain, recently added another title to his already crowded resume - doctor.

Brown obtained his Doctorate in Philosophy of Biblical Preaching, June 13, 2015, from Newburgh Theological Seminary.

With a doctorate of philosophy applicable to his career during and after the Air Force, the completion of his degree serves a multitude of purposes for Brown.

"I wanted to obtain my doctorate because after I retire from the Air Force, I'd like to teach at a college or seminary, somewhere in that arena," said Brown. "I figured the best thing to do would be to obtain my doctorate now. Additionally, I can still use my education to help train other chaplains while I'm still here."

For Brown, who has been a member of the Chaplain Corps for more than a decade, the decision to further himself educationally was an easy one.

"Prior to my Air Force career I worked as an associate pastor for my local church," said Brown. "I've been in the Chaplain Corps since 2005; I started out as a Reserve chaplain and then transitioned into an active duty role in 2009."

The pursuit of education was always a priority for Brown, even before he started his Air Force career.

"I call my husband a lifetime learner," said Arnita Brown, 30th Comptroller Squadron non-appropriated funds accountant. "We have known each other nearly 20 years, and he has been in school since the day I met him. Even after obtaining his doctorate, he is still pursuing education. Whether through certificate programs in spiritual resiliency, organizational leadership, or basic bible studies, he never stops learning so that he may be equipped to serve all who are put in his path."

Chaplain Brown also possesses an Associate Degree in Finance from the Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor of Science in Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Master of Art in Ministry and Master of Divinity from Luther Rice University.

Despite his ongoing scholastic journey, Brown divulges that balance is pivotal to maintaining a healthy mentality.

"Being able to prioritize is very important," said Brown. "I have a family; my son is getting ready for the first grade. So for my wife and I, having the right balance in life, prioritizing our efforts and just focusing on what we want is vital. I'm currently still enrolled in school: I'm taking a graduate certificate in military resiliency through Liberty University. So that takes up a lot of time, but having a plan and finding the balance that helps you achieve everything you need to accomplish goes a long way."

Brown conveys that this balance is also pertinent to Airmen facing the same situation.

"I encourage any Airman that is pursuing their education while dealing with work and their personal lives to set priorities," said Brown. "Focus on your goals and don't allow distractions to detract you from obtaining those goals."