Chaplain (Major) Shawna N. Counce was born in Rochester, New York. She graduated from East High School in the city of Rochester. She holds a certificate in Biblical Studies and a minor in Missions studies from Elim Bible Institute, a Masters of Divinity from Regent University, Post-graduate coursework is completed and currently pending a Doctorate of Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary. She is ordained as a Minister and Chaplain with Vanguard Ministries and endorsed to serve as an Army chaplain by the Coalition of Spirit-Filled Churches.

 

Chaplain Counce’s military education includes the US Army Chaplain Officer Basic Course, and Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), five units with an awarding of the 7R, ASI at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Chaplain Counce is currently a Clinical Pastoral Education Fellow with the University of Theology and Spirituality where she is pursuing her certification to be a Clinical Pastoral Educator/Supervisor.

 

 Chaplain Counce first entered Individual Ready Reserves (IRR) duty as a chaplain candidate in October 2002 during which she completed the Chaplain Officer Basic course and later entered active duty in August 2007. She served the 115th Combat Support Hospital at Fort Polk, where she served in a detainee mission in Iraq, Brooke Army Medical Center for a year-long CPE residency; Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord as the Palliative Care Chaplain and Chaplain Clinician caring for Wounded Soldiers and their Families. She recently served as a Battalion Chaplain for 308th BSB in infantry support of 17th Field Artillery Brigade. She served 3rd Calvary Division, Regimental Support Battalion at Fort Hood, TX, where she served as the Regimental Support chaplain. She transitioned to the Army Reserves in 2016 and served as a senior chaplain at the 11th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Hood, TX. She currently is serving as the Medical Brigade chaplain at the 176th Medical Brigade in Seagoville, TX. She has deployed once in support of Operation Iraq Freedom in 2008 serving as a hospital chaplain in Camp Bucca and Camp Cropper, Iraq.

 

Chaplain Counce’s awards and decorations include Army Commendation Medal (5OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation Emblem, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medals (2OLC), Global War on Terrorism, Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Medal.

 

Chaplain Counce entered into civilian service at the Veterans Affairs Health System in 2017 and currently serves as a Clinical Chaplain providing spiritual care to Veterans and their families in the Central Texas area.

 

Chaplain Counce is married to William Michael Counce, minister and detective, of Corinth, MS and they have one daughter, Arianna Elyse who is nine, and William Aiden Edward who is seven. Chaplain Counce and her family currently reside in Belton, Texas.