Chaplain, Colonel David Wake is the Executive Director for the Armed Forces Chaplains Board. In this capacity, he is responsible for representing and supporting the Board to the Secretary of Defense and to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness on religious, ethical, and moral matters for the Military Services.

Additionally, he coordinates recommendations and responses on policy matters concerning the protection of the free exercise of religion; the procurement, professional standards, and requirements of military chaplains; credentialing of organizations seeking to provide chaplains for the Military Services; and the promotion of dialog with civilian organizations regarding religious issues.

A member of an Army family and second generation Army Chaplain, he grew up in various places throughout the United States and the world. Chaplain Wake 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. 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, Washington DC, Command Chaplain for the Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, KS, and previous to this assignment, Assistant Director for Resources, Office of the Army Chief of Chaplains.

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, MeritoriousVolunteer 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.