President Obama Nominates New Air Force Chief of Chaplains

Update: The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, repeated at Military.com and the Stars and Stripes, tells a bit of Col Costin’s story, including his “unique” invocations…

“I hope not to change at all,” Costin said. “I hope I just stay who I am.”


In an official DoD release, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced that President Obama had nominated US Air Force Col Dondi E. Costin to be the next Air Force Chief of Chaplains. As with some other headquarters staff jobs, the move merits a two-step promotion to Major General.

Chaplain Costin would be replacing Chaplain (MajGen) Howard Stendahl, who has served in the position since 2012.

Chaplain Costin is currently the Command Chaplain for PACAF. He is a frequent speaker at National Day of Prayer events, a participant in religious respect events at the US Air Force Academy (as well as a 1986 graduate), apparently an avid runner, and, probably because of his name, had the unfortunate problem of temporarily being confused as a “her” in the Air Force Times.

Chaplain Costin is a Southern Baptist and graduate of Liberty University.

And Mikey Weinstein shudders.

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13 comments

  • Congratulations, Ch Costin! Looking forward to your leadership!

  • Dr Ben Chandler

    Congratulations my friend. Well deserved.
    Good choice by the CIC.

    I know you will do well.
    God has placed you there for such a time as this.

  • Loree Hall-Duplessis

    Congratulations SOD Carter! I agree with friend Dr. Carter. May you continue to go with God!!

  • Congratulations Dondi! It is encouraging to know that a man of your integrity and character is serving in such an important position. Thanks for your service and faithfulness.

  • Congratulations. We are so proud of you! You are in our prayers. I wish your parents would be here to see this. They were always proud of you.

  • Congratulation Dondi. wish Sandy and Margaret could be here to celebrate your achievements. So proud to have known them and to have been friends with them and worship with them. They were so proud of you.

  • Congratulations to my life long friend!

  • God Bless!!!! That is an awesome thing that God has entrusted you with. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. My son is in the Airforce and I’ll let him know also.

  • Congratulations Dondi! Beth and I are very excited for you!
    Hope all is well with you, your family and your parents!

  • Congratulations, Dondi!!! Jimmy and I are proud of your nomination not only as a friend from high school and church, but as a SBC family member. There is hope for the Chaplain Corps!!!!
    Love you!
    Jimmy and Laura Newkirk

  • Joan E Stanland

    Dondi, congratulation I know your family is so proud of you, I can imagine how Alexa is glowing with being so happy for her brother. I have not seen you in a long time, my sister Scarlette lived next door to your family in Springview. Larry, Julie and Terry. God Bless you. . Mrs. Stanland

  • Congrats, Dondi. When you offered the invocation at my retirement ceremony at Pope AFB, NC several years ago, it was said that you, someday, would be the Chief of Chaplains for the Air Force. That day has come! You will do well as you have in the past. Candy and all our kids an I salute you on this wonderful news and move. We love you. Jim and Candy Eckman.

  • Congratulations Col Costin! What an honor to be given this opportunity due to your love of God! It was most honorable to serve with you at PACAF. I pray for many blessings as you take over as the Chief of Chaplains for the Air Force. Godspeed!