by Chris Motz, Senior Counsel • 3 minutes
For nearly 30 years, Lt. Col. Joe Lawhorn has served our country. First as a Ranger-qualified infantry officer. Then as a chaplain who cares for soldiers during some of life’s hardest moments.
Now, an investigation that his commander said was over is threatening his career. We recently filed an application with the Army asking it to remove the harmful information from Chaplain Lawhorn’s promotion file and every other official record where it appears.
A Message That Moved a Soldier to Seek Help
In December 2020, Chaplain Lawhorn gave required suicide-prevention training to about 74 members of the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade. His commander wanted the training to make people uncomfortable enough to face a serious issue, so he told him to “be real.”
Chaplain Lawhorn did exactly that.
He spoke about his own diagnosed depression. During his worst days, he would hide in a closet. That experience led him to title his talk, “Coming Out of the Closet: Straight-Talk about Depression and Suicidality.” Chaplain Lawhorn shared his personal struggles with depression and isolation. He also explained how his faith in Christ helped him keep going.
His message made a difference. One soldier called it the best suicide-prevention training he had ever received. Another said the talk led him to meet with his behavioral health provider two days later. He said he would “forever be thankful” for the presentation.
Chaplain Lawhorn did exactly what Army Chaplains are asked to do and shared a message of faith and resilience. But one person objected to the title, calling it a “microaggression.” Based on this complaint, the Army opened an investigation.
‘It Was Over’—Until It Wasn’t
The investigator said Chaplain Lawhorn had committed misconduct. But after the investigation, his commander told him the matter was closed and everyone was moving on. He received no reprimand, no negative review, or retraining. In fact, the same commander later ranked him as the best brigade chaplain he had ever led. He praised Lawhorn’s care for soldiers and their families. He also recommended: “Promote now.” For five years, Chaplain Lawhorn had no reason to think the investigation left a stain on his record.
Then, in January 2026, he learned that harmful information from the investigation had been placed in his permanent file. At the time, the Army was considering him for promotion to colonel. This was the first time he learned that the findings had been approved or that the information was still in his record. Chaplain Lawhorn asked the Army to rescind or disregard the prejudicial documents to no avail. When the promotion board released its results last summer, his name was not on the list.
The Army Must Correct His Records
What happened to Chaplain Lawhorn isn’t right. We’re asking the Army to take immediate action to correct its mistake and remove any adverse information from his promotion board file and from every official record.
Military chaplains are called to care for the spiritual needs of our service members. They should be free to offer honest guidance rooted in faith—especially when their message helps a soldier seek care that could save his life. Chaplains must be free to bring hope and healing to soldiers, without investigations into their message.
Chaplain Lawhorn faithfully served his soldiers as a model front-line shepherd. The Army should acknowledge its investigation was improper and correct his record. He deserves a fair chance for promotion after nearly three decades of sacrificial service.
First Liberty will keep fighting for Chaplain Lawhorn—and for every military chaplain’s freedom to live out their faith while serving those who defend our nation.
