Chaplain (Colonel) Lawrence Dabeck

Chaplain (COL) Larry Dabeck serves as the Command Chaplain for the US Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM). He is a Notre Dame Fellow, International Security Center, for 2020-2023.

Chaplain Dabeck leads religious support and advisement for INSCOM Soldiers, DA Civilians, and their families. He leads providing pastoral care for the over 18,000 members across INSCOM. He advises on the dynamics of religion and potential mission impacts across the intelligence spectrum. He leads in integrating chaplains and Unit Ministry Teams into intelligence, security, and information operations for the United States Army and the intelligence community. He advises on religious, moral, and ethical issues related to command climate, polices, programs, initiatives, doctrine, exercises and operations. He coordinates with the Joint Staff and NSA for strategic religious priorities, policy and joint operations. Chaplain Dabeck serves as a senior leader for the US Army Office of the Chief of Chaplains.

Chaplain Dabeck recently served as the Command Chaplain for US Army South after completing a US Army War College Fellowship at the University of Notre Dame in Strategic Leadership, writing on “Capabilities-Based Senior Leader Development.”1 Prior to Notre Dame, Chaplain Dabeck served as the Joint Staff Deputy Chaplain. While on the Joint Staff, Chaplain Dabeck supported the Global Integration of Religious Support and Advisement across the Joint Staff and Combatant Commands.

Chaplain Dabeck has served in Afghanistan supporting Operations Freedom’s Sentinel and Resolute Support Mission as the Command Chaplain for NATO Special Operations Component Command and US Special Operations Joint Task Force. He has served two combat tours for Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003-2004, and 2005-2006. He was the Ethics Instructor/SME for the Command and General Staff College (CGSC), Fort Leavenworth, KS; the Brigade Chaplain for 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, KS; and the Garrison Chaplain and Senior Pastor, Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall, Fort Myer, VA.

Chaplain Dabeck’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with two Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon 3 tours, Polish Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. In 2012 Chaplain Dabeck presented his paper, “Virtuous Combatants: Opportunities and Challenges for Ethical Leadership” at the annual CGSC Military Ethics Symposium.2

Chaplain Dabeck is ordained by the Evangelical Church Alliance and holds a BS Degree from Columbia International University, Columbia, SC; a Master of Divinity Degree, Columbia Biblical Seminary, Columbia, SC; post graduate work in Biblical Counseling, and a Master of Sacred Theology Degree in Ethics, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, SC. Chaplain Dabeck’s military education includes the US Army Chaplain Basic and Career Courses (Honor Graduate), the Command and General Staff College, the Chaplain Major and Lieutenant Colonel courses, and the US Army War College with a fellowship at Notre Dame.

Chaplain Dabeck is married to the former Cathy Gaier of Dayton, Ohio and they have three married sons, CPT Michael (31), wife Emily & daughter Emma Grace and son William; CPT Mark (28), wife Haley and son Henry; and Rev. John (25) and wife Claire. He and his family enjoy football, fitness, travel and laughter. Chaplain Dabeck remains pleasantly surprised with the Cincinnati Bengals.

1 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lawrence-dabeck-14ba8425_beyond-competence-capabilities-based-leader-activity-6711307161974243328-TQ3h
2 https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=750911