Major Randy Sellers
Chaplain, 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma

While deployed to Craig Joint Theater Hospital at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, Chaplain (Major) RANDY SELLERS frequently dealt with the less-visible scars of war – the grief, pain, and sorrow associated with the life-and-death struggle of armed conflict. This often meant providing pastoral care to the critically wounded. With compassionate courage, Chaplain Sellers ensured no Airmen or patients were alone even at the hour of their passing.

The greatest pastoral challenge Chaplain Sellers would face came suddenly on September 5, 2010. That day, he met an explosive ordnance disposal soldier who had been gravely wounded by a sniper’s bullet. In spite of the emergency room team’s diligent efforts, the soldier would not recover from his wounds. As the medical team ran out of options, Chaplain Sellers picked up the burden of service. He ensured this warrior and his service would be honored. He provided exceptional spiritual care consistent with the soldier’s faith, and remained a steadfast source of comfort and hope.

But his work that day was only beginning.

Medical staff and approximately 90 fellow members of the soldier’s unit began to participate in an informal prayer and concern vigil for the dying warrior. After 10 long hours of struggle, the soldier passed, but not without his faith confirmed. Chaplain Sellers bore witness to this as he administered last rites.

Immediately afterwards, Chaplain Sellers began his next mission: consoling and caring for more than 100 of this soldier’s “band of brothers” and medical personnel who grieved the soldiers death. To accomplish this, Chaplain Sellers ardently worked with the medical staff to prepare the soldier for a field-expedient viewing by his deployed “family.” He provided hope, delivering a strong message of encouragement, and he offered prayers for family, friends, and comrades.

Though this moment would pass, the chaplain’s dedication to his fellow service members and their faith remains resolute. During his deployment, Chaplain Sellers spent more than 1,000 hours visiting 5,000 patients and staff, lifting morale and aiding the healing process. He truly demonstrated the highest level of compassionate courage, pastoral care, and wisdom. For his service while deployed, he was awarded his fourth Air Force Commendation Medal.