Chaplain David Wake is a member of an Army family and second generation Army Chaplain. He is the son of Chaplain (Colonel) Hank Wake, Ret. He grew up in various places throughout the United States and the world. In 1984 he attended Nyack College, Nyack, NY, where he received a BS in Elementary Education. He earned a M.Div in Youth and Family Ministry from Denver Seminary, Denver, CO. He is an ordained clergyman of the Burke Community Church, Burke, VA. In 1997 he entered active duty as an Army Chaplain.
Chaplain Wake’s military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, Chaplain Officer Basic Course, Chaplain Officer Advance Course, Combined Armed Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. In 1988, Chaplain Wake was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Armor. His leadership positions include Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Battalion S3 Planner and Lane Training Observer/Controller.
Chaplain Wake has served in various positions such as 2nd Squadron Chaplain, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Battalion Chaplain, 1-18th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Division Artillery Chaplain, 1st Infantry Division, Senior Brigade Unit Ministry Team O/C, Bronco 77 at the
National Training Center, Small Group Leader at the US Army Chaplain Center and School, Chief, Concepts and Doctrine, Chaplain Combat Development Branch, Deputy Command Chaplain for US Army North/5th Army, Garrison Chaplain for Fort Leavenworth, KS, Division Chaplain for First Army, Division East, Strategic Action Officer to the Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Command Chaplain for the Combined Arms Center, and Assistant Director for Resources, Office of the Army Chief of Chaplains. Until his retirement, he currently serves as the Executive Director, Armed Forces Chaplains Board on the Secretary of War Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, DC.
His awards include; Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Meritorious Volunteer Service Award, Reserve Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge. He proudly earned his Spurs with the 3rd US Cavalry and wears Bronco 77 Buckle #17. He deployed to Bosnia, Kosovo, Bayji, Iraq, An Najaf, Iraq and Doha,
Kuwait.
He met his beautiful bride, Jennifer, at Burke Community Church and they were married in 1991. She is a writer, speaker and lifelong supporter of the Protestant Women of the Chapel. Jennifer is the foundation of the Wake family having created a loving home 16 times in 13 locations on 2 continents. They have three grown children; Rachel who is married to Senior Airman Ian, Dena and Andrew.
