James Puchy Biography

Chaplain (Colonel - Ret.) Rev. Dr. James Puchy
Executive Director of National Ministries, American Bible Society

After more than thirty-two years of active military service, Puchy retired from the U.S. Army to assume the role of executive director of American Bible Society's Armed Services Ministry. In this role, Puchy aimed to provide the 1.4 million active members of military and the 1.9 million military families as well as 23 million veterans with hope, encouragement, peace and comfort through the Bible. Puchy was then promoted to lead American Bible Society's National Ministries as executive director.

Puchy most recently served as the commandant and director of sustainment and information for the Army Chief of Chaplains at the Pentagon. He entered the military in 1978 after being commissioned from Rutgers University's ROTC as a second lieutenant in the air defense artillery. During his career, Puchy was deployed to Jordan, Panama, Japan and Thailand. He also served in combat operations with the First Ranger Battalion during Operation Just Cause.

Puchy worked his way up the ranks of the Army serving various roles as an air defense artillery officer including battalion intelligence officer, executive officer, brigade plans officer and battery commander. As a chaplain, he trained Army chaplains and chaplain assistants for combat ministry in 16 training brigades and founded churches in Oahu, Hawaii, Fort Monroe, Va., and Fort Belvoir, Va.

Puchy has earned multiple academic degrees including:

• Bachelors in economics and English from Rutgers University
• Masters in systems management from the University of Southern California
• Masters of divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary
• MBA from Syracuse University
• Masters in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College
• Doctorate of education from the University of Southern California

His military training includes air defense artillery officer courses, the improved HAWK course, chaplain officer courses, airborne and air assault school and chaplain colonel’s courses.

Puchy and his wife Rebecca reside in Chester Springs, PA.