Memorial Day Ceremony

We went to a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony today. MG James Milano spoke of the importance of honoring our fallen and missing dead with reverent celebration and not mournful sorrow. The freedoms we enjoy in this country are not free. Great men and women from every generation have paid the ultimate price. I can best illustrate the day's events via pictures:

 The cannon crew that fired a haunting 21 gun salute at the end of the service.

 The Major General's flag.

 Old Hickory himself.

 Army brass quintet. These guys were good.

 Color Guard.

Gen. Jackson again.

 Post Commander MG John Milano.

 A drill sergeant holds the wreath.

 These are widows of fallen service members. The lady in yellow/gold is part of the Gold Star Wives of America. This is not a sorority a wife wants to be a part of. The service flags that families put in their windows signify that they have a soldier in their family. A gold star means they have a KIA. Hence the name Gold Star Wives.

 Taps. I absolutely cannot hear this song without crying. Every single time I tear up. My calling is to pastor soldiers. I love soldiers, I love my nation, and I know God loves all of creation. It's hard for me to even fathom the pain that spouses and children endure at the loss of a family member due to war.

Okay, this if freaking cool. This is Sergeant John Baker, a Vietnam veteran and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient (notice the medal around his neck). It was my honor to salute this gentlemen and have my picture taken with him. His heroics are movie-worthy. I've simply copied and pasted the record of his heroics from the official Army website. Read it all, you owe him that much.

BAKER, JOHN F., JR.

Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Pfc.), U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 5 November 1966. Entered service at: Moline, Ill. Born: 30 October 1945, Davenport, Iowa. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. En route to assist another unit that was engaged with the enemy, Company A came under intense enemy fire and the lead man was killed instantly. Sgt. Baker immediately moved to the head of the column and together with another soldier knocked out 2 enemy bunkers. When his comrade was mortally wounded, Sgt. Baker, spotting 4 Viet Cong snipers, killed all of them, evacuated the fallen soldier and returned to lead repeated assaults against the enemy positions, killing several more Viet Cong. Moving to attack 2 additional enemy bunkers, he and another soldier drew intense enemy fire and Sgt. Baker was blown from his feet by an enemy grenade. He quickly recovered and single-handedly destroyed 1 bunker before the other soldier was wounded. Seizing his fallen comrade's machine gun, Sgt. Baker charged through the deadly fusillade to silence the other bunker. He evacuated his comrade, replenished his ammunition and returned to the forefront to brave the enemy fire and continue the fight. When the forward element was ordered to withdraw, he carried 1 wounded man to the rear. As he returned to evacuate another soldier, he was taken under fire by snipers, but raced beyond the friendly troops to attack and kill the snipers. After evacuating the wounded man, he returned to cover the deployment of the unit. His ammunition now exhausted, he dragged 2 more of his fallen comrades to the rear. Sgt. Baker's selfless heroism, indomitable fighting spirit, and extraordinary gallantry were directly responsible for saving the lives of several of his comrades, and inflicting serious damage on the enemy. His acts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

Chapel 1

One our main assignments during CIMT and Phase 1 of our training is to visit 5 chapel services on post and write a report on them. Today, I went to a contemporary service. Oh man was it very different and very similar to my tradition. To save time, I'll list the similarities and differences.

Similarities

• The service had a basic flow that began with announcements and ended with a benediction.
• Music was employed in order to draw believers closer to God through praise.
• The chapel had pews and a central focal point (projections screen).

Differences

• The chapel, by its very nature, was multi-racial. This is great. A lot of Basic Combat Training soldiers were present. There were blacks, whites, Hispanics, and Asians. Fantastic. It has been said that 1100 on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America. The Army, by it's nature, cannot be that way.
• The music was contemporary. My church typically uses traditional hymns. The musicians were very good so I really enjoyed the music.
• The worship was more "free-flowing" in the sense that people would shout "Hallelujah!" or "Amen!" while singing. This is of course 'allowed' in my tradition but is seldom done.
• Communion...oh brother. This single element left a terrible taste in my mouth. It practically ruined an otherwise excellent service for me. The elements of bread and juice were literally set to the side of the chapel on top of a piano that had been covered with black cloth. Communion was voluntary and given after the benediction for a select few that wanted it. The elements were served in small plastic cups with those cardboard wafers. Meanwhile, the band played with their instruments breaking into secular rock and laughing while the rest of the congregation mingled and talked at a normal voice level. No reverence, no silence, no unity. I could write a book on the problems but I won't.

In all, it was a good worship for the most part. Part of this exercise is to step outside your comfort zone: check. We'll see what next week offers.

Today It Hit

I've been away from my wife no more than eight or nine days in our marriage. We've been tied at the hip since eighth grade so being away from each other is a big deal. Unfortunately, part of being in the military is separation from your family. I've learned from going to conferences, mission trips, and other trips that have taken me away from my family, that the busier I am the less I dwell on missing my family. I always think about my family, there's no getting around that. Today, the loneliness hit. I anticipated this. We have a three-day weekend because of Memorial Day. I knew that if I didn't stay busy enough, I'd be lonely. I went on a three-mile hike today and that helped, but while setting in my room there's too much time to think. Tuesday we have a TDC (Team Development Course) and Wednesday we have the NBC chamber, so it will get better.

Cadence

Marching is proving to be challenging for me. My facing movements are squared away but I'm having trouble keeping in step. A lot of us non-prior's are. We'll get there. But one way we keep time as well as stay motivated, is by cadences. These songs range from hilarious to extremely vulgar to extremely serious. I've read (I can't remember where) that it was General George Washington that began having his formations sing in order to take their mind off of the grueling task of marching so far in such terrible conditions. Whether this is true or apocryphal I don't know. Either way, here's a great one we sang today (everything said by the Sgt is repeated by the platoon):

"It's alright, it's okay, (repeated, you get the idea)
It's alright it's okay,

Remember JFK,
He paved the way,
He gave his life,
So everyone can say:

It's alright, it's okay,
It's alright, it's okay,

Remember MLK,

He paved the way,

He gave his life,

So everyone can say:

It's alright, it's okay,

It's alright, it's okay (there are many other verses)"

Ten Isn't Ten

I got dropped today for standing in the wrong place when we "fell in" for formation. I was on the wrong side of the post man (1st squad leader in a line formation). It was my fault and I deserved to do push-ups so I dropped and banged them out. I was told to do 10, but at the United States Army Chaplain Center and School, 'ten' isn't 'ten', it's twelve. Here's why: all chaplains in a unit lead what's known as a UMT (Unit Ministry Team). This consists of the chaplain(s) and the chaplain assistants. Approximately 400 chaplains have given their life in the defense and service of this nation. So, when are told to do ____ amount of push-ups we always do two more than that for the "UMT in the sky". We do one for all the deceased chaplains and one for all the deceased chaplain assistants. Honor runs deep in the United States Army.

Uniforms, uniforms

One of the challenges for brand new Joes is how to properly prepare, wear, and maintain the uniform. The way you wear your uniform is a direct reflection of the pride you take in your country, your Army, and your duty. This is particularly true for officers. Officers are held to a higher standard. Enlisted personnel look to you for direction in many different matters, including uniform matters. I'm at an advantage since I have a brother on Active Duty and a grandfather with years of military experience (even if he was a Jarhead before he saw the light and came over to the real military). Therefore, my uniform is very squared away. This is not true for some others.

A lot of latitude is extended for these new soldiers for the first few days and the first few days only. By day two and possibly day three, they're expected to look sharp. This is essential because we are officers and we're serving on a post that does more Basic Combat Training than any other Army post. This means that there are Privates everywhere. You can't walk three steps without running into a gaggle of Privates that call themselves to attention when you pass by. They look up to us and our uniform reflects our pride in our service. It's good to be in the uniform. I'm at the point where civies don't feel right anymore.

I'm being silly in the picture because I was with a buddy. Notice I have my cover on, we're never covered indoors but I took the picture with my cover so you could see what the uniform should look like.

We Like it Here, We Love it Here, We Finally Found A Home!

CH Milton Haney was a Civil War Chaplain that carried a musket in the ranks of his regiment and rendered heroic service in retaking the Federal works which had been captured. He embodies the warrior spirit that all Army personnel (including Chaplains) have.

The Chaplain School trains Chaplains and 56M's (Chaplain Assistant). However, because they train so many officers, there is a lot of brass around here. To save the hassle of constantly saluting, the area has been designated a "no hat, no salute" area. It means what it says. However, we still greet those of higher rank and are greeted by those of lower rank.

Clearing barrels for our 56M's. They have to clear their rifle before entering. They stick the barrel of the rifle into the clearing barrel in case a round is discharged accidentally.

For the love of God, do NOT step on the picture displayed on Army mats. It's considered highly disrespectful and usually awarded with push-ups. If you can't read it it says, "The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom". Ironically, this is the motto of my alma mater KY Wesleyan College. At KWC, it was printed in Latin on the school crest.

Memorial to fallen chapels. To date, approximately 400 Chaplains have been KIA in US operations.

CH Dale Goetz and SSG Christopher Stout are the most recent KIA's. Both died in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2010.

Ministry of presence. This is the Chaplain's strongest asset. We go where the troops are at all times if possible. Notice they're sitting on ammo boxes.

We go back to the beginning of the United States. Perhaps the most sobering part of this memorial is the fact that there are empty slots reserved for future operations and KIA's. Every person in the military lives with the very real possibility of death in the line of duty.

All branches train their Chaplains at Fort Jackson. I imagine it's because they saw the light and recognized that the Army leads the way. Hooah. By the way, the Navy provides Chaplains for the Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. Each school (Army, Navy, Air Force) is distinctive and autonomous so we don't train together. However, we're in the same complex so we often salute or are saluted by members of the other services. We joke with each other but I assure you there is mutual respect. If I'm in combat I want Flyboys covering the sky, Squids in the sea sending ordnance, and Marines doing what they do best: destroying the enemy.

A visual example of the unity of the services: a tank 50 yards from an anchor.

The complex is very new and is state of the art. We have the best Chaplain Corps in the world. 

Latin. "For God and Country".

Getting Squared Away

In the Army, to be "squared away" or a "go" means that you're good on something. For example, "LT Stamps, that uniform is squared away." To not be squared away is to be a "no go" or to be told "wrong answer". For example, "Private Smith, are we supposed to wear the beret indoors? Wrong answer Private." These first few days have been spent getting us all squared away and ready to go with in-processing, uniforms, etc. Tomorrow will be the first day we're in our ACUs. I can't wait. I'm going to post some pics of the Chaplain School with descriptions. I'm a visual guy so this will help those of you like me. Stand by.

"I do more before 9am..."

You've heard the military saying, "I do more before 9am than most people do all day." This statement is a fact. At one point today, after doing a day's worth of work, class, etc., I looked at my watch to see it was only 1000. By 0900, the average soldier has woken, squared away his/her room, done pt, showered, breakfast, and began work for the day. We're typically supposed to knock off around 1600 (4pm Mom), but this doesn't always happen. I've found that I really enjoy getting up that early. I have more time to get things done, including my devotional. Give God time first. CH Cline said today, "When you know who you are, you'll know what to do." He's right. When we know that before we're Republican/Democrat, American, or even male or female, that we're Christian, then we'll know what to do. The sheep will recognize His voice and follow Him. Weigh-in tomorrow. Bring it.

Left Hand, Right Hand

Believe it or not, the Army can be very bureaucratic. It's not uncommon to turn in the same form, to the same people multiple times and be asked each successive time, "Why didn't you turn these in?" Someone said to me the other day that the old saying, "The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing," isn't actually true for the Army. Instead, he posited, that it's more like, "The left hand doesn't know that the right hand exists." He's right. It's frustrating. Sometimes you'll have several different commands/organizations wanting several different things from you at once while simultaneously telling you to not worry about the other organization because theirs is the most important. We take it all in stride. CH Cline said the other day that they intended to push us in every way imaginable, even in our clerical skills. He's right. I imagine that after a career in the Army, I will be a more patient person...about some things. I'm also learning that the things that used to bug me (a lack of punctuality, a lack of organization, a lack of personal responsibility) bug me even more as the Army reinforces these. In the Army, we're a team, but we're also expected to be big boys and girls and make our own bed, get up at the right time, know your schedule, etc. There's a saying we use: right place, right time, right uniform. This will inevitably lead to a good day.

Okay, have to go set through some lectures and be yelled at. We like it here, we love it here, we finally found a home!

Welcome to the Army

I'm entirely too tired to make a coherent post so I'm just going to bullet point some of the highs and lows of the day including some of my new favorite sayings I'm learning.

1. Delta Airlines sucks compared to Southwest. Southwest is such a friendlier atmosphere.

2. I love the Army.

3. People in the Army are incredibly direct and the entire culture thrives on accountability. You can slide by in other areas of life, not here. You will be caught. You will be punished. It will be embarrassing.

4. We are assigned to platoons in historic divisions. These aren't real of course but they foster unity and pride. I'm in the 3rd Platoon of the 34th Infantry Division "Red Bulls". Hooah.

5. Our platoon leader is a LtCol with years of experience. He looks, talks, and acts like a poster boy for old school Army. He's so much fun/scary. He gets me fired up. Everything he says is with spirit and force. I love him. He's CH Barnett. Our NCO is SFC Townsend. He's terrifying.

6. We have been given strict orders to be "Semper Gumby" (always flexible).

7. SC is the hottest place on the face of the planet and it's not even hot yet supposedly.

8. Never call a SGT "Ma'am". They are to be called "SGT". I learned that today.

9. Our instructors are extremely educated, well spoken, and high speed. I like that. I already have a ton of respect for these people.

10. And finally, it's good to be an officer. My housing is amazing. Pictures below. I will post pics of that actual school and area tomorrow if I get time. Formation is at 0650 (starting late).

Rationale

Someone said to me a while back, "I can't believe you joined the Army!" I told them that if they had known me like my family knows me they wouldn't be shocked at all. I've always felt called to the military. When Wesley joined...now THAT was a shock. And I'll be danged if he isn't one of the most squared away soldiers I've ever been around (high speed...low drag). When I was in high school, I couldn't wait to join the service. School bored me to tears. I remember setting in an Air Force recruiter's office with Beth talking about basic training, jobs, etc. I was considering being a heavy equipment operator (I like big loud machines). I was going to do that while I went to school.

That very night I came home and told Pops and Nanny and I saw their countenance visibly fail. I thought they'd be proud! Pride wasn't the issue; they knew something I didn't know. Our DS had told Pops that he was going to offer me an appointment. I prayed on the issue and you know the history. I have zero regrets about waiting. College was cool, but boring. Serving churches was a fantastic experience that's put me far ahead of my classmates. And so I assumed I was set. But I couldn't shake this military thing. I would stay up late at night while Beth was working 3rd shift and the kids were in bed, and I'd watch military movies or YouTube videos about the war. 

For the longest time I was so torn about the whole issue. A voice in my head was telling me that if I went into the military I would be abandoning God and the church. I couldn't do that; both had been too good to me. As I prayed more and more, I began to see that perhaps the reason I couldn't shake the feeling is because it's not a feeling, it's a call. Again, you know the rest of the story.

To change directions, I'm in shock at how hard and simultaneously easy this all has been. The paperwork, physicals, pt, and getting the church ready for my departure has been incredibly difficult. Leaving Beth and the kids tomorrow morning will be a whole other mountain to ascend. I was under the naive assumption that life would pause while I go train. As it turns out, life could give a crap less. I have a whole new appreciation for military families (and I'm just going for training, not war). It's been simultaneously easy because I know I'm doing what God wants me to do. I have no illusions as to how hard or easy the training will be. There will be good and bad days and I know that. But I've been waiting for this for 24 years, how bad can it be? So this is my rationale for joining. Not for glory, pay, or so I can still give Wes orders in adulthood. I joined because God told me to. Here goes nothing.

"I am an American soldier.

I am a warrior and a member of a team.

I serve the people of the United States of America, and I live the Army values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough,

trained and proficient in all my warrior tasks and drills.

I always maintain my arms, my equipment, and myself.

I am an expert and a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and DESTROY 

the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Solider." Hooah

Intro

Okay, this is just for the family so if you've reached this blog somehow and you're not lucky enough to be biologically related to me, please excuse the inside jokes and possibly poor grammar; I only intend for my family to read this so I'm not putting on airs. I created this blog so you guys can track my progress or lack thereof while at CH-BOLC. Here's what you need to know first:

1. CH-BOLC=Chaplain's Basic Officer Leadership Course.
2. I'm physically at Fort Jackson, SC. It's right outside Columbia, SC so if you want to google it or something have at it.
3. I have no "rank" at school even though I do (make sense?)<<does the question mark go outside of the parenthesis? Anyway, my NCO instructors are in charge at all times even though I technically outrank them. At Army schools you're simply a "candidate". I also have officer instructors that are of a higher rank than I. I say that I do and don't have rank because once the work day is over, I'm a 2LT and people have to salute me and all that jazz.
4. I'm determined to be one of the most "squared away" soldiers here. If I'm going to do this I'm going to be good at it. "Do what you do do well boy" (that's for you Dad). So failure is not an option, unless I fail and then I guess it is what it is.
5. I have my phone and computer. Email, Facebook, or call if you wish but I will only be able to talk to you (if at all) in the evenings. Be mindful that evenings are my "me time" which means I will be watching "Days of Our Lives" from my dorm bathtub (which will no doubt be full of bubbles)...you know, typical Army stuff.

I think that's it. My posts will probably be sporadic because our schedule is crazy and even though the evenings are "mine", I have homework and papers to write. Plus, some days will just be boring. Also, prayers are appreciated this is a whole new world/culture for me. People are very direct (read: rude) and blunt in this culture. I'm used to coddling people as a minister so this is new to me. Furthermore, I'm used to being my own boss so taking orders is new for me but I like it. I like not having to "think" per se. I go here when I'm told to. I stand here the way I'm told to. I eat, sleep, shower, poop and shave how and when I'm told to. I like it. Here goes nothing.

Pro Deo Et Patria
(For God and Country)