Wing Chaplain retires after 32-year career

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  After spending more than half of his life in service to the U.S. Air Force, Sheppard's wing chaplain retired Jan. 30, 2015.

Chaplain Col. Michael Grubbs, who came here three years ago from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., is responsible for the spiritual welfare of all permanent party personnel and more than 75,000 Army, Marine, Navy, Air Force and international students annually.

Prior to his military service, while working on his master's degree, Grubbs was a police officer in the Dallas area.

"It was a great job, almost every night was an adventure," Grubbs said. "I worked in a part of town that was very busy and had a lot of crime, very fast paced, for me that was perfect."

The need for excitement and adventure drew Grubbs toward the military, specifically the Air Force.

"The military seemed like it would be more adventurous than what I was doing," Grubbs said.

Grubbs entered the Air Force as a chaplain candidate in 1983 and became a reserve officer in 1984.

"I was called up to active duty for a short period of time during the first gulf war," Grubbs said. "I really enjoyed the opportunity to serve in the Air Force and that motivated me to go active duty."

Grubbs became an active duty officer in 1994 and was sent to Kirtland AFB, N.M. for his first assignment. When 9/11 occurred, Grubbs was at his third assignment in Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, he knew the effects of the terrorist attacks would be substantial.

"My first thought was I better go home and pack my bags," he said. "I was in theater again by the end of that month."

Throughout his career, Grubbs has had the opportunity to enrich countless lives during his nine assignments stateside and multiple deployments overseas. Grubbs continued to live out his aspirations for exploration. He deployed to places such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Al Udeid Air Base, and other discreet locations.

"Honestly, I think some of the major contributions I've made have come one person at a time," Grubbs said. "It was always one person, one couple and one family at a time."

Capt. Chaplain Matthew Clouse, 82nd Training Wing protestant faith group leader, worked with Grubbs at a previous base, before working with him again here.

"When I think of Grubbs, I think of a good ole country boy, with strong wit and a caring heart," Clouse said.

Grubbs reflected on the long term effects his job as a chaplain. While at a burger burn, he ran into a couple he counselled four years earlier. Grubbs was proud that through his work he felt like he had the opportunity to have a great impact on not only their marriage but their lives.

"It helped change the outcome of his marriage and hopefully the outcome of his life," Grubbs said.

Grubbs' career was almost cut short due to a heart attack he endured a few years before arriving to Sheppard. Despite health concerns, Grubbs continued to live out "service before self" and after a lengthy medical process, he was retained in the Air Force. He felt truly blessed when he pinned on the rank of colonel in 2012, shortly after arriving here.

"When it first happened I thought my career was over," he said. "I was very thankful. I even went back to Iraq after that."

The effects of the heart attack eventually caught up with Grubbs, about a year ago he started having some significant symptoms as a result of the heart attack. After 32 years in the Air Force, Grubbs decided it was time to retire.

"If he [Grubbs] could stay in longer he definitely would," Clouse said. 

For Grubbs, the adventure doesn't stop here.

"I've enjoyed what I've done in the Air Force, the places I've been and the people I've served with," Grubbs said. "The goal was to serve and to serve well, now it's time for the next chapter."

Grubbs hopes his contribution to the Air Force had a positive impact on not only the people he interacted with but the mission of the wing. He is now looking forward to traveling with his wife after retirement.