Chaplain (Colonel) Eric J. Albertson was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest on 10 May 1986. After seven years of ministry in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, his bishop released him for active duty in the Army in 1993. He is the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Command Chaplain, stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida. He oversees comprehensive religious support for all US Forces serving throughout USSOCOM. As a special staff officer for the Commander, Chaplain Albertson is responsible for providing strategic guidance on spiritual, religious, and ethical matters pertaining to the force.