Video

Video by Capt. Kyle Key

An Act of Congress: Kentucky Chaplain Becomes National Guard's Newest "Oldest" Chaplain

National Guard Patriot Academy

Nov. 6, 2011 | 0:59

Chaplain (1st Lt.) Roy Swisher of Warfield Kentucky joined the U.S. Navy after graduating from Sheldon Clark High School. He joined the U.S. Navy and served seven years on active duty and 13 years in the reserves on the USS SPADEFISH, SSN 668 submarine. Swisher received the calling to serve in the ministry and completed his education at the Free Will Baptist Bible University. Shortly after, he married his sweetheart, Jan, and has been married for 32 years. They have 3 children (Thanh, Benjamin, and Rachel). Obstacles lay in Swisher's way through the years as he tried a few times to seek a commission as a military Chaplain. It wasn't until that he felt God was calling him to try again that he persisted even after he was told he was too old. With the help of Congressional staffers in the offices of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie and U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, Swisher received a call that he was the Army National Guard's newest "oldest" chaplain at 55 years old. Swisher pastored at Northside Free Will Baptist Church for twenty years and served as an Associate Pastor of Portland Free Will Baptist in Portland TN before taking an assignment at the National Guard Patriot Academy to serve as the campus chaplain. The Patriot Academy is the military's first and only high school for former dropouts who wish to enlist and serve their country. It's a school of second chances designed to shape brighter futures and develop strong leaders. In this video, Swisher baptizes Pvt. Corey Luster with the Georgia Army National Guard in the cold backwaters of the Muscatatuck Reservoir. Pvt. Luster's battle buddies gathered along the banks to pray and watch him get baptized. This is the 25th baptism "old world style" for Swisher since he came on active duty orders two months ago. Swisher currently serves as a chaplain with the Indiana Army National Guard. He and his family live in Franklin, Ky. Also available in high definition