Meet the new leadership: One crazy chaplain

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Greene
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  "For me two things are certain, change is the only constant and normal is just a setting on the dryer," said Chaplain (Maj.) Patrick Genseal, 509th Bomb Wing, senior protestant chaplain. With 13 years of Air Force service under his belt brought on by love for his country and flying, he remains a small town boy at heart. 

"The most challenging part about being in the Air Force is being away from family during deployments," said Chaplain Genseal. "Deployments show the uniqueness of the mission and I get to see the world." 

Chaplain Genseal and his family traveled from Eielson AFB, Alaska to become a part of Team Whiteman. He and Peggy, his wife of 24 years, have two children; Christopher, 22, and Kimberly, 18. They have two dogs, Holly, a golden lab mix, and Scooby Doo, an Italian greyhound mix. 

Not only is he a family man, Chaplain Genseal is also an adrenaline junkie. As a member of the United States Practical Shooting Association and the International Pistol Association, he participates in long range and practical shooting. During college he tried his hand at calf roping and bulldogging or steer wrestling in the rodeo. His career as bull rider was very short as he only rode one time. According to the Chaplain he went from riding one-horse power to riding 160 hp because he currently rides and races motorcycles. A Kawasaki ZX 10 R is his chariot of choice. 

"My favorite day of the week is any day that I get to ride my bike," Chaplain Genseal said. "Every day is different though, with new experiences each day."

Born in Turlock Calif., Chaplain Genseal stayed in the Golden State to complete his Bachelor of Arts in psychology at California State University, Stanislaus. From there he traveled to Chicago, Ill. for his Master of Divinity degree at North Park Seminary and then on to complete his Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Counseling while completing his Air Force Institute of Technology education in pastoral response to sexual assault, domestic violence and sexual child abuse. 

He expects his junior and senior Airmen to live the Air Force core values as he does each day. Also important to him is the practice of honesty and humility. Chaplain Genseal is "very thankful" for what he has accomplished and where he has come in life.
 
"Some days I get to preach and worship, other days I am at the office or out visiting America's heros, I like the diversity that my job allows, and I get to help people," Chaplain Genseal said. "I am happy to be a part of Team Whiteman. Chaplains are the only people in the armed forces that offer 100 percent confidentiality. I've got one of the best jobs in the Air Force."