Deputy Commander

Brigadier General
Michael Langston
Deputy-Commander of the SC State Guard

Brigadier General Michael W. Langston, Deputy Commander South Carolina  tate Guard, graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Physical Education/ Biology, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA, 1977.  He then went on to earn a Master of Divinity, New Testament Theology and Pastoral Care,  Southeastern Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC, 1986 and a Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Newport, RI. 2003. Continuing his education he has also earned a Doctor of Ministry, Military Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care, Bethel Theological Seminary, St Paul, MN, 1996 and anticipates graduation in May 2019 with Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Practical Theology, Kings College, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.

In the course of his military service Brigadier General Langston served 10 years in the USMC as an Infantry Officer and 26 Years in the Navy as  Chaplain. As a Navy chaplain he served as the Deputy Air Combat Element 5th MED Chaplain during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, 1990-91; as Command Chaplain, Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, 1996-2000; Director of Training/Advanced Course Officer, Naval Chaplain School, Newport, RI, 2003-2004; Director Operational Ministry Center, established, developed and organized new Chaplain Ministry Organization, Norfolk, VA, 2005; Theater Chaplain, Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan supervising 71 U.S. Chaplains, 76 Chaplain Assistants and 36 Coalition Chaplains from other Nations 2005-2006; Force Chaplain, II Marine Expeditionary Force Forward, Fallujah, Iraq, supervising 85 Chaplains and 89 Chaplain Assistants, 2007; and as the Commanding Officer, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center, Ft. Jackson, Columbia, SC, 2008-2011. In 2011 He retired from active duty after 36 active years. He is currently Professor of Practical Theology and Chaplaincy, Columbia Biblical Seminary, Columbia International University, Columbia, SC, 2011-Present.

His personal awards include the Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Combat Action Ribbon, and various unit citations and campaign ribbons.