Thomas Gidley - Biography
Thomas was born in Morgantown, West Virginia. In the summer of 1985, while in high school, Thomas had his spiritual conversion, resulting in a lifelong pursuit of serving Christ.
In 1988, Thomas enlisted as a Chaplain Assistant in the United States Army. Upon completing his initial active-duty enlistment in 1991, he subsequentially transferred directly into the West Virginia National Guard. He attended West Virginia University, graduating with a BA in History. While still in the Army Reserves, Thomas continued his studies at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, graduating with a Master of Divinity.
Thomas’s military assignments have included: {Enlisted} 7th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Ord, California (1988-1991), where he deployed to Panama in support of Operation Just Cause; the West Virginia Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves (1991-1999). In November 1999, Chaplain Gidley was commissioned into the Army’s Chaplain Candidate Program. In October 2003, he was accessioned to active duty chaplaincy and has served in the following organizations: 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas (2003-2006), where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina (2006-2009), where he deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, Kentucky (2009-2010); the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment (OPFOR), Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana (2010-2012), the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, Kentucky (2013-2016), the 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, New York (2016-2018), the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas (2018-2020); US Army Garrison BENELUX, Belgium (2020-2022); and the US Army Garrison at Fort Campbell, Kentucky (2022-2024); Chaplain Gidley retired, after 36 years of service in the United States Army Chaplain Corps.
Chaplain Gidley’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (w/ six Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (w/ four Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (w/ two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award (w/ two Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (w/ Campaign Star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/ Campaign Star), Iraqi Campaign Medal (w/ Campaign Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, the Jungle Expert Badge, and the Netherlands Foreign Parachutist Badge.
Chaplain Gidley’s military education includes the Brigade Chaplain Functional Course (2016), the Clinical Pastoral Education Course (2013), the Command and General Staff College Intermediate Level Education Course (2011), the Chaplain Captain Career Course (2010), the Basic Airborne Course (2006), the Chaplain Officer Basic Course (2000), the Jungle Warfare School in Panama (1989), Advanced Individual Training (1988), and Basic Combat Training (1988).
Chaplain Gidley is married to the former Michelle De Los Santos of Simi Valley, California. They have three adult sons, Philip, Jacob, and Benjamin. Chaplain Gidley’s endorsing agency has always been the Venture Church Network (formerly the Conservative Baptist Association of America). In August 2024, Thomas formally joined Venture Church Network as the new Associate Director of Chaplaincy.
