Uniform Inspection Day

27 Feb 09

Friday

(day 55)

We had our official dress uniforms inspected this morning. The Army still allows both a green and a dress blue uniform (as in what Doug is wearing in that picture above), even though the greens are going away in a few years. But we all had to purchase at least one or the other for this program, as we will need them at our respective Units later. Besides, there will be a Ball near the end where we (and spouses) get to dress up and have a night on the town. (OK, maybe not really on the town, but you know what I mean).

They're pretty serious about the Uniforms, too. There are books you can buy that tell you exactly what is and is not authorized on the uniform (such as pins, patches, etc). And you have to wear them at the exact location on your uniform, or it's wrong. The cadre literally went around with rulers and measured to see if your cross was exactly 1 inch below the seam and the "U.S." pin was 1 inch above! And, they have to line up in a straight line down the middle. If not, then you have to re-do it. The Colonel checked my bow-tie and told me he was going to make me do push-ups if it had been a "clip on." Thank goodness it was not. I ordered my uniform on-line and got it right!

Personally, I think I look like an airline pilot with that hat. My kids laughed at me over the webcam when they saw the hat, so what's that tell you? (Thanks for the encouragement!)

Awesome Day!

24 Feb 09

Tues

We had a field trip to Charleston, SC today, and it turned out to be a great day. We visited Charleston Air Force Base first and spent the morning there learning about ceremonies to receive and send home Soldiers KIA. It was not only neat to be there learning this, but also moving to see a demonstration of an Honor Guard carrying a casket with a flag draped over it up into a huge Air Force cargo plane. I cannot show you any pictures of the plane or the ceremony, except the funny one I caught while we were driving away on the bus. These plans are so big that special hangers are built to do maintenance on them, and even then they don't always get the whole plane inside. That plane has a huge door in the tail section that lowers to let large equipment drive up into it. We stood inside the main hull of a plane similar to that one.

After lunch at the Officer's Club at the AF Base, we drove down to the Charleston Harbor, and took a ferry over to Ft. Sumpter, which is an island near the entrance of the Harbor (to the Atlantic Ocean), where the first shots of the Civil War began. South Carolina was the first state to leave the Union, and it was fitting (or inevitable) that the first action of the Civil War started here as well. Anyway, about 85 Union Soldiers held the Fort initially, and the Confederate Army wanted them to leave peacefully. They refused, so the Confederate forces stationed at two other Forts over a mile away started to lauch cannon balls into Ft. Sumpter. They pounded it for about 30 hours, until the Union Soldiers gave up. Severe damage was done to the Fort, but not a single person died -- incredibly! Those cannon can file a 25 lb cannon ball over 4 miles! In the picture of me on the ferry, notice the small island over my head. That's Ft. Sumpter.

The retired Navy Aircraft carrier, the USS Yorktown, is also docked there as well, and is now a museum. We got to wander all over it, as well as an old WWII submarine docked next to it. Both were pretty cool! If you remember the movie, "National Treasure" with Nicholas Cage, there is a scene where he leaps off an aircraft carrier into the water below to escape the FBI guys. Well, that was the USS Yorktown, and my battle buddy, Doug and I, stood on the flight deck somewhere near where Nicholas Cage jumped over board for that scene. I find those big ol' ships fascinating. I later banged my head on a low-hanging door frame while tring to navigate through the halls and stairs of that ship. So maybe I don't like those ol' ships after all. They hurt!

Well, I need my sleep because we're going on a 3-mile hike tomorrow morning in all our gear (battle rattle), starting at 0530! Goodnight.

Mid-Point PT Test !!

23 Feb 09
Monday

It was a good day today!! We did not have our mid-point physical training (PT) test last Friday due to the cold weather, so they postponed it until this afternoon. And the weather was perfect for it. We shifted the class schedule today in order to make room for the PT test in the late afternoon. Which means class started at 0630 and we quit at 1400 (2 pm) to head out to the exercise field and track. Overall, I did very well, scoring personal bests in all three events. I completed 70 pushups in 2 minutes, and then 55 sit-ups in another 2 minute period, and finally ran the 2-miles in 15.35 min. My total score = 258 (out of a possible 300). A minimum score of 180 is required to pass, and anything over 270 is absolute stud level. So I'm close!

We're headed on a field trip tomorrow to Charleston, SC (about a 2-hr bus ride) to see Fort Sumpter and some other Civil War sights. I understand we will also visit an Air Force base to have lunch and then a briefing on the ceremonial receiving of the caskets of our fallen Soldiers when they are transported home. We will be in the belly of one of those huge Air Force transport planes, but cameras are a no-no. So I can't post any shots of that experience, but I'll let you know how it went.

I wanted to finish today's post by telling you about one of our lectures this morning. We talked about the moral implications of "killing" and how a chaplain may need to counsel Soldiers struggling with the reality of what Soldiers are trained to do on the battlefield: kill people and break things. We discussed several true events in Iraq and then watched video taken from Army helicopters engaged in battle with enemy insurgents. We watched as the high calibur rounds of the helicopter's machine guns literally obliterated several trucks--with men inside. It was clear that no one inside survived, and it was hard to watch. The lesson was loud and clear. What do you say, and how do I help that Soldier who comes to me and is fearful he is now going to Hell for what he's done? It's a tough call and a moral/ethical/spiritual issue that they want us to sort out long before we ever need to answer that question. (We have to write a paper on this issue due in 2 weeks)

"If it Ain't Raining, it Ain't Training!"

18 Feb 09

It rained on us during morning PT today. The fact that it was in the low 30s for temperature was bad enough, and then add a light drizzle. Some drill sergeant made up the phrase that I used in my title for today ("If it ain't raining, it ain't training!"), and so our Drill Sergeants had to use it as well and let us know how they felt about the rain. Truth is, it was not that bad after all. We went on a "light" run in formation, which means all 100 of us lined up in three rows of about 30 Chaplains and ran together. You were supposed to stay in step with the person in front of you as well as to your right and/or left. If you got out of formation or out of step, someone let you know it!! The rule is you always land on your left stride to the Drill Sergeant's cadence, and you can do a quick 1/2 step to get back in step when needed. I noticed that the adrenaline and the peer pressure is enough to get me moving at a good pace!

I understand that at some Army Posts, an entire Battalion will go for a run in formation like that, which can be 500 Soldiers all running in stride and in to the beat! That's way cool. Hooah.

Nothing more today. We're starting to get some training on counseling issues, such as how to interview a conscientious objector. The Chaplain has a role in the procedure for how to deal with a Soldier who claims this status. For some it may be legitimate, but for others it is not. Should be interesting. Next week we're taking a field trip to see Fort Sumpter, where the very first battle took place in the Civil War. But more on that later...

Visiting Home

Monday night

16 Feb 09

I made it home and back this past weekend. It was really nice to see the family and friends again, and to know that if we made it this far, we can make it the rest of the way! Looking back, 6 weeks didn't seem all that bad, so the next 6 weeks should be the same. (I hope). I loved seeing my wife and kids again, and it was a special time at home.

I've included a few pictures of the family taken at the airport, and one of the USO Club in the Dallas/FTW airport. I walked right by it before I realized that I'm now allowed to go in there! So I flashed my military ID and enjoyed a free lunch and soda while watching some comedy show in a flat-screen TV. It is a 2-story club, with room for Soldiers to sleep, watch TV, call home or get on a few computers, as well as eat and relax. It was packed with Soldiers coming and going to Iraq and/or Afghanistan.

On my way home I say next to a young Sergeant coming home for his 2-weeks break while in Iraq. In over 4 months, he has seen his Chaplain only once! That may have something to do with his remote location, but more likely something to do with his Chaplain's refusal to go visit his Soldiers in remote areas. We're told some Chaplains like to sit around and wait for their Soldiers to come to the Chapel, and that just doesn't always happpen. It made me sad for this young guy that he has not seen his "pastor" in 4 months.

I also had an interesting experience on my flight home that strengthened my belief that I'm right where God wants me to be. On the first leg of the flight I sat next to a scared 18-yr old kid who was on his very first flight ever to go see his biological dad for the very first time. The dad found him on the internet a year earlier, and they arranged this visit. His name was Michael and he had also just joined the South Carolina National Guard and would be doing his basic training at Ft. Jackson in a few weeks, but for now he was going to spend some time with his dad. Needless to say, he was a nervous wreck. So, in the course of the flight I got to know him a little bit and then prayed with him (twice) to help him through the flight and the anxiety about meeting his dad for the first time. He grabbed my arm and thanked me after we landed in Dallas. I had to acknowledge that there was a reason God put him in the seat next to me that morning, and I hope his very first experience with an Army Chaplain was a good one!

Well, it should be a busy week again here. We have our mid-point diagnostic PT test this Friday, including weigh-in on Thursday. We'll see how well the exercise so far has paid off (or not)! Oh oh, too much good food at home this weekend...

Busy Day

12 Feb 09 (Thurs)

It was a long and busy day. The Chaplain students hosted a Prayer Breakfast this morning for the leadership and the Chaplain Assistant students who are also here at Ft. Jackson training. Some of those Soldiers will be working with some of us one of these days, so it was a nice social event. Too bad it started at 0600 and was over by 0715. I was part of the set up committee and needed to be there by 0500, which means I woke up today about 0415. Most of the Chaplain Assistants were in their early 20s, and seemed to be scared to death to be around so many Officers! (I think they teach them that in Basic training). You see, every new recruit Soldier goes through 12 weeks of basic training where they learn the "basics" of the Army and being a Soldier. Then, every one of them goes on to additional training, which is called Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for their job specialty. In this case, Chaplain Assistant school, where they stay another 8 weeks or so and learn the specifics about working in a Chapel and assisting the religious ministry of the Army. They try to get our two schools together every now and then for social functions. Those are the guys (and girls) with the guns, so we need to be nice to them!

I also gave my first Field Service (sermon) today. It went well, and I received many positive comments. However, this is also a training lab where we are critiqued by our peers and the instructors. So I also got some constructive criticism that I need to take in and process. It's always hard to hear the negative stuff, but it's good for me. I suppose it's only for my benefit.

Now the good news... my parents made it home safely from their trip this week, which is an answer to prayer. AND I'll be going home tomorrow for the long Valentine weekend! I can't wait to see my family. I made it to the 1/2 way mark, and this trip home is a way of celebrating that we made it this far and everything else is downhill !!

Sunday afternoon ramblings

8 Feb 09

The dorky picture of me in my dorm room is in full "battle rattle" gear. It consists of a helmet, protective body armor vest, and backpack with water hydration system (or "camelback" is it is called). I weighed myself with and without it all, and found that it adds 57 lbs to my total weight when I have it all on. And I'm told the Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan (or "down range" as they call it in the Army), carry much more. Some of those guys carry upwards of 80 to 100 lbs total in their gear, depending on their weapon and/or radio, etc... That's crazy!

Speaking of weighing myself... I'm down again a few lbs. I noticed this morning that I needed to use a new hole in my belt loop to keep the slacks up for church. That's a good feeling. All the exercise begins to pay off. I no longer worry about making weight in my upcoming physical fitness (PT) test. Not only do you have to pass the required minimal amount of push ups and sit ups, as well as run 2 miles in under a certain time (based on your gender and age), but you also have to maintain weight and height requirements. When I started all of this almost 2 years ago I was 20 lbs heavier. It has taken all of that time, but I have finally reached my goal weight of 98 lbs. (just kidding).

We had to write an essay on the "Ethic of the Army Chaplaincy" this weekend, and they required us to read a dozen articles about Chaplains in times of war to prepare for the essay. I was moved by the sacrifices some of these men made for their troops over the last several hundred years. Did you know that the Army Chaplaincy is the 2nd oldest branch of the military (after only the Infantry)? Yessir, General George Washington appealed to Congress himself to have Chaplains with his troops, and he was granted his wish early on in the Revolutionary War. So Chaplains have been serving (and fighting) alongside the troops since our country began. I was affected by a quote from Soldier during the Civil War regarding a chaplain in his ranks. He said,

"the Unit morale had hit rock bottom until one day I saw the chaplain on his knees in the mud in prayer. It did something to me and it pulled me through. When the going gets rough, remember to pray and read the Bible to the Troops. We'll not survive unless you do."

That really hit me hard as God is giving me a heart for our Soldiers through all of this, so please don't forget about them. Our troops still need your prayers and support.

If you want to read a modern account of a Chaplain, pick up a copy of "A Table in the Presence" by Lt. Carey Cash. It is outstanding and I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about military Chaplaincy. This Chaplain served in the Marines during the 1st Desert War campaign. His unit was the first into Baghdad during that war, and he writes about some harrowing experiences and how God was with them every step of the way. I'm about 1/2 way through it and think it's a great book.

Gotta go. I'll write more later this week. Looking forward to the upcoming break and a chance to see family next weekend.

More Pictures from the Confidence Course

A few more shots to show you what we did today at the Confidence Course. Read the details in the blog below.

The Confidence Course

6 Feb 09

We went to the Confidence Course this morning, all decked out in our "battle rattle" and "sniffle gear" (which is what you wear when it's really cold out). It was in the 30's when we left the dorm in formation, but it did warm up to the mid 40s (which actually felt pretty good). I guess I'm getting used to it!

The Confidence Course is designed to test your physical and mental skills. Most of the activities out there are individual in nature (such as going down the rope or the zip line, or climbing the tall ladder-thing, but some of them forced us to work in teams to get over or around a physical object (such as a tall wall). We actually ran out of time and did not get to do every activity, which was unfortunate because it was a lot of fun. That really is me going down the zip line, and I'm the guy on the right climbing over the ladder to come down the other side. That one was a little scary because you're not wearing a safety belt up there. One missed step and you fall 40 feet or more. I've never been afraid of heights, but your perspective changes when you're looking down (rather than up). In other words, it looked kind of easy when my feet were planted on the ground. It was a different thing altogether when I reached that top rung of the ladder and had to swing over it and then look down for my next footing.

But how can you get past your fears if you don't face them head on? In some ways, that's what we did today. (Not to mention, it was great to get out of the classroom for a change).

Doing it the Army Way

5 Feb 09

The last few days have been a test of patience and a lesson in the "Army Way." We have sat through several lengthy power-point classes (or briefings) on subjects like "How to write an Army Memo", and "Military Problem Solving" (which was basically all about get your facts and then make a decision), and the Army's "Ethical Decision-Making Model", and finally, "Army Operations." That last one was cool, by the way. I am encouraged to know that the Army is now making it a big part of their military strategy to include Civil and environmental issues in their Mission. In other words, it is a big deal to the Army now to do as much as we can to protect the Iraqi people and their society. The last thing we want is to make them hate us, which would work against our overall goals over there. So protecting and rebuilding civic issues is important to our "mission."

But as for the other classes, I was amazed that the Army has a protocol for just about everything, and they want us to know it and use it! Think like an Army officer, write like an Army officer, and make decisions like an Army officer.

We're going to the "Confidence Course" tomorrow (which is the same thing as an Obstacle Course). I'll take pictures and let you know how that went. See ya then...

The work is increasing!

3 Feb 09

They call this the United States Army Chaplain Center and School (USACHCS) for a reason. It is definitely a school! The work is beginning to pile up, and there is no end in sight (yet). We are expected to do quite a bit of reading and writing in the evenings, on top of all day in the classroom and early morning PT. It's getting harder to get it all done in each day. Good thing for the weekends! For example: we had a 2-hr lecture today on "Just War" theories throughout the ages. It was pretty interesting. Then we came home and looked at the on-line assignment for this lesson and it indicated a study guide needed to be completed by next Tuesday after reading a 350 page book on the subject.! I kid you not. This is on top of additional assignments, including a 4-page ethics paper also due next Tuesday from other assigned readings this week as well. It is mind-numbing.

Not to mention that I try to go to bed at before 10:30 pm in order to get up by 0430 for my devotions before morning PT. As you can imagine, it is pretty hard to get out of bed!

Not much else new to report. I understand that my parents are having a good time on their trip and that my dad has his strength and is feeling pretty good so far. That's an answer to prayer! Thank you, Lord.

Matthew 7:13-14

1 Feb 09
I attended 3 more worship services today as part of my requirement to attend a total of nine services from across the denominational spectrum here at Ft. Jackson. We have to visit 9 total and then do a summary write-up after each one, indicating our thoughts and observances. So far it has been an eye-opening assignment for me. And today was no different. Doug and I went to a Lutheran service at 0800 and then a Catholic service at 0930, and finished the morning with a Mormon (LDS) service at 1100. We got lost and arrived late for the Catholic service, but better late than never. There are numerous Chapels around this large Army Post -- and some are inside the huge Soldier buildings, so it can be confusing finding them all.

It was somewhat of a disappointing morning from a religious perspective. I came away feeling as if I had not met with God in at least two of the services I attended today. The Lutheran service is more liturgical than I am used to, but at least the minister presented the Gospel message in his sermon. That was absent from both the Catholic and LDS services. In fact, the LDS service was just a "testimony" service, which means there was no planned message or sermon, just an open microphone for anyone who wanted to come forward and present his or her testimony. Many did, and they all affirmed Joseph Smith as the Prophet and how blessed they are to be a member of the "true" Church. It was weird and uncomfortable, to say the least.

I am seeing first-hand what Jesus meant when he told his followers about the wide and narrow gates and to not be led astray by false teachings. I think we can get too caught up in the "how" we worship, but we should never get caught up in the "what" part (that is, the "who" we worship). Does Jesus care how often we stand up or sit down, or read from the hymnal, or sing praise songs vs the classic hymns? I doubt it. But I know He cares about WHO we worship, and when we stray from Him as the only one worthy of our praise, prayer, and worship, then we miss the whole boat completely.

I'll let you chew on that one for awhile. But if you're reading this and don't know what I'm talking about, or feel confused or even intrigued... then email me back. Let's talk. Don't miss this boat. It really is that important!