Chaplain Starnes is known for his distinguished writing skills while in the Army Chaplaincy and graduate school. He was passionate about achieving career goals to serve soldiers better. Rhett volunteered for two tours in a hostile combat environment in Iraq beginning in 2003-2005. He provided ministry care for the wounded, honoring the dead, nurturing the living, and advising the command about troop morale and host nation religious activities. Rhett is mature, loyal, courageous, brave, and trusts God to go where angels fear to tread. With a heartfelt passion, He served troops in dangerous places without a weapon and grew as a Chaplain for greater responsibility. He served at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, from 2005-2009, honoring the dead and next of Kin Notifications, and particularly excelled in suicide prevention. Later, he served the Army Forces Command, working with the Force Providers Branch in operations. He negotiated across commands to source Chaplain Units for war. He was promoted to Colonel for the hard work he provided to the command. He was later medically discharged from wounds caused by the enemy and received a Purple Heart. He learned from this experience that the power of writing to aid soldiers is mighty.