Phase 2-Week 10

On Saturday, March 10th those CH-BOLC students from the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ met at CH (LTC) Karen Diefendorf's house for fellowship and dinner.  Dr. John Craycraft, a retired Navy Chaplain, is the Executive Director of the Chaplaincy Endorsement Commission.

USS Yorktown 3

USS Yorktown 2

Phase 2--USS Yorktown

Phase 2-Week 9

During our SGL time, our Platoons break up for preaching classes.  Here I am preaching from 1 Kings 19 for my garrison sermon.  The following week I preached my field sermon out in the woods.  It was stormy all day, which was appropriate as my text was Psalm 29!  Ps. 29 tracks the course of a thunderstorm as it moves from north to south across Israel.  David stands in Jerusalem and watches it come and go.  Once it has passed he exclaims, "Glory!"  In other words, "WOW!"  The psalm notes how God's power is displayed over sea, forest, mountain and desert.  The text ends by noting how the same power we see at work in creation is at work in us!

Phase 2-Week 7

On Friday, Feb 24th, we visited Cowpens National Battlefield.  In front of the memorial is my Squad Leader, CH (1LT) Matt Eisenhower.

 Our Platoon Leader, CH (1LT) Chad Cottle.

 Second Platoon has two SGLs (Small Group Leaders).  CH (MAJ) Burgess is one of them.

 We re-enacted the Battle of Cowpens.  I played the part of Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan. 

Fort Jackson Inn #121

Confidence Course 1

Confidence Course 2

Confidence Course 3

Confidence Course 4

Father's Day 2011

So the wife and kids came to visit today for Father's Day! How good it is to see familiar faces! Once they got here at noon we went to EdVenture Children's Museum, home of Eddie, the world's largest child. Eddie is a forty-foot tall exhibit that teaches children about human anatomy. There were a lot of cool exhibits to teach kids about construction, farming, fighting fires etc. For dinner, we went to Five Guys Burger and Fries. We returned to Fort Jackson and parked the car when it dawned on a certain unnamed individual someone had forgotten their purse at the restaurant! Thankfully, some honest individual handed the purse over to the disgruntled cashier. The kids were too tired to go to Baskin-Robbins for some ice cream! So we returned a second time for some much needed sleep after a long day. God you are good! Thank you for such a great family...

Mail Call

Thank you to all who have sent letters. I apologize for being so slow in responding, the days are long and the nights are short. We are now receiving mail daily from Monday to Friday. When we receive a letter we have to do ten push-ups. One day I received four letters! My good health is a result of you!
To answer some questions (1) I am following orders, would you expect any different? (2) I have not learned to cook, but I have met some who are single or stay-at-home fathers. We have potlucks on occasion. When told to do something religious, preachers either take up an offering or assemble a potluck. I have also learned you should not eat at the Mexican Restaurant. (3) Thanks for the joke about Suburbanites and grass, very insightful. I would share it with an NCO, but they seldom have a sense of humor. Well, except when they are yelling at someone. Then, they are quite comedic. Come on chaplain, too easy, too easy. What are you doing, chaplain? This ain't no Dancing with the Stars. (4) I did not vomit in the gas chamber, thank you Lord! Yes, trust your technology. (5) We have high 90's most days. This Wednesday is supposed to be 102 degrees. I believe the humidity is usually around 60% this time of year.
(6) CIMT is about the chaplain as soldier and those four weeks are now over. Phase 1 begins tomorrow. From here on, we will learn about the chaplain as religious figure. It is known as "Death by Power Point" from this point forward. We will take some field trips to different historical sites etc., but mostly it is now classroom time. That is good in some ways and not so good in other ways. The PT will begin to pick up more now as we are conditioned and acclimated. HOOAH!

CIMT-Week 4

This week began with a 3.6 mile run up and down hills, mostly up. Bravo finished in 31 minutes. After PT we learned about nutrition. A 30-year-old active (60+ minutes of workout) male needs 3,000 calories a day. You should balance the amount of food you eath with the amount of energy you burn! I could go on and on now about proteins, non-energy nutrients etc.
On Tuesday we had a long discussion about the non-combatant status of the chaplain. The policy on this has been set by the Chief of Chaplains. Chaplains do not train with weapons. However, we have some trigger-happy chaplains in our group! If a chaplain goes to Ranger school, he or she will receive a waiver from this rule so they can complete the training. Outside of that, no touchie!
On Wednesday we had our first APFT. In it we are scored in three categories. You have two minutes to do as many push-ups as you can. Another two minutes to do as many sit-ups as you can. Last, you have a timed two-mile run. Your scores depend on gender and age. To pass you must score a 60 or higher in each category. I did 49 push-ups (71 pts), 47 sit-ups (62 pts) and ran two miles in 16:36 (64 pts). I passed with a score of 197 which is NOT a good score even though it is passing. My score will continue to go up as the training will require it!
Later, on Wednesday we learned about the Army Writing Style and Pluralism in the Army.
Thursday was a hodge-podge of activity. The day ended by my POV (Privately Owned Vehicle) being inspected for saftey. Oh, I need a blog just for the acronyms! Why not just...it is of no use!
Friday was a half day! Hooah! We practiced taking off our PC and putting on the beret about a dozen times before the ceremony. We had 9 seconds to get it right. As soon as the ceremony was over, we were told we are no longer allowed to wear the beret! Tuesday was the 236th birthday for the US Army. On that day, it became policy the beret is no longer the official headgear of the ACU. Three days before we were newly allowed to begin wearing it! The $30 'cover' looked good for one minute on my melon!

CIMT-Week 3

This week began with running in our newly formed PT groups. I am running in the Bravo group. Our Monday classroom study included Convoy Ops and IED's as well as the professional ethic of the Army Chaplain. Tuesday was a muscle failure workout at Darby Field. Our classroom study included map reading and compass training along with sacred communication lab.
Wednesday we spent our time at St. Lo (PIX: (1) Relaxing before breakfast (2) At chow time washing hands and waiting in line). There we put into practice our knowledge of map and compass navigation during both the day and night. We also received more WTT (Warrior Training Task) instruction to prepare for our test on Thursday. ...I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills... Fourth Squads (of which I am a part) were dispersed among the first three squads. So I was in the Second Squad of First Platoon. We finished in first place of the twelve squads (PIC: Preparing our first azimuth). Likewise, First Platoon came in first place overall and so we received a streamer on our guidon (our platoon's standard). HOOAH!
On Thursday we went to the Day and Night Infiltration Courses (DIC & NIC). These included how to properly perform the 3-5 second run, low crawl, high crawl, how to give and take cover (e.g., 'Cover me while I'm moving'; 'Moving'; 'In position') etc. By the end, I was bruised and bleeding, hooah! We spent 4 hours taking our WTT test. There we had to properly send and recieve radio communications, access and address a fallen soldier's injuries, read a map by determining an azimuth and back azimuth, properly put on your "gas mask" in less than 9 seconds etc. At the NIC (aka NIC @ Night) we crawled under barbed wire and did the low crawl in sand while bullets with tracers flew over our heads. We received Army earplugs to prevent hearing loss (PIC: After the course). Longest day yet!
We ended the week with more sacred communication labs, Army Personnel Recovery (IMDC-Isolated, Missing, Detained or Captured) and a test on the Roles and Organization of the Army.
And my final news for the week. I broke my little left toe! How? I fell off a 30-foot tower! Okay, not really. Actually, a Humvee ran over my foot. Okay, that wasn't it either. You just want me to tell you what really happened? I stubbed my toe on the chair in my bedroom during a 3 am bathroom excursion. I went to the hospital and they ex-rayed my toe. They told me it was broken, wrapped it and gave me some painkillers to help get me through my three-mile runs. We have a diagnostic APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) on Wednesday morning. If anyone fails to meet the Army requirements, you are put into special pop PT, which consists of more exercise in the evening. I do not want to be a part of that crowd. I will be running on the broken toe!
This morning we practiced D & C some more and had a competition to determine which Platoon executes the best. We lost to 4th Platoon and so did not receive a streamer for our guidon. I think the judges were paid off. SGT Burton was not happy! After all, there are no modified positions and D & C is not about entertaining antics. What are ya gonna do?
I am an American soldier. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army values...

Army Chaplain Memorial

The US Army Chaplaincy was offically born on July 29, 1775. Since that time approximately 25,000-30,000 men and women have served as Army chaplains. Approximately 400 chaplains have lost their lives during American wartime. During the course of these wars, chaplains have heroically laid their lives down. Six chaplains have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Four received the honor in the Civil War and two in Vietnam.
On June 1, 2011 a memorial was dedicated here at the US Army Chaplain Center and School (USACHCS) of which I had the privilege to be a part. The $250,000 memorial garden has a life-size bronze statue of a chaplain comforting a grieving soldier, a fountain and a wall memorializing 294 chaplains and 12 chaplain assistants (Congress had not authorized 56 Mikes until 1909, some 134 years after the 56 Alphas). Together the wall contains the names of 306 men.
Of note was our nation's two most recent UMT (Unit Ministry Team) deaths. On July 13, 2010 SSG Christopher T. Stout of the 82nd Airborne Division was KIA in Kandahar City, Afghanistan when his unit was attacked with small arms and RPG's (rocket propelled grenades). Likewise, CH (CPT) Dale Goetz was KIA on August 30, 2010 in Afghanistan. Chaplain Goetz was one of five men who were killed by a roadside bomb while traveling in a convoy near Kandahar Province.
The Army currently has around 2,800 chaplains, 400 of which are in Iraq or Afghanistan. Pro Deo et Patria

CIMT-Week 2

Week two began with a day off due to Monday being Memorial Day. On Tuesday we traveled by bus to the Team Development Course (TDC). In the picture we are receiving our instructions. You can see me on the far left edge, second face down. This course included climbing walls etc. with a focus on teamwork.
Later, we learned about PMCS (Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services), which concerns how to take care of your Humvee. Remember, DO NOT lose the keys!
Wednesday took us to the NBC Range where we entered the CBRNE chamber (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and enhanced explosives). Yes, the gas chamber. Freshman hazing. You enter with your mask on. Your freshly shaven neck begins to burn immediately. You run in place for a while and then break the seal on the mask, allowing the tear gas in. You then have to demonstrate your ability to clear the mask. Afterward, it is time to remove the mask completely and begin breathing the gas into your lungs. Your eyes feel like they are on fire. You begin coughing and gagging. Snot begins to pour. Your eyes are watering so badly you can barely see. Fun day at the office! Within five to ten minutes it is all over.

After lunch, we began to learn how to communicate by tactical radio. Thursday was entirely dedicated to learning how to administer First Aid. We learned how to approach and check a fallen comrade. We will be tested on our knowledge at the end of CIMT.
Friday included more First Aid, Sacred Communication Lab (i.e., preaching class) and SGL (Small Group Leader) time.
T. Moffatt Burriss came as a guest speaker and shared his experience in WWII. I bought his book, Strike and Hold: A Memoir of the 82nd Airborne in WWII. Here we are after he signed my copy.
A week I will never forget!

Our Troops

According to Al Neuharth there are 1,432,400 active duty military men and women serving our country. Add to that number 846,200 Reserve troops. Of these two million plus soldiers there are 300,000 who are serving overseas, of which 100,000 are in Afghanistan alone.
During the course of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) there have been nearly 2,500 KIA (killed in action). Many of these deaths have occurred in the last four years due to IED's (improvised explosive devices; aka roadside bombs). Walking around Fort Jackson on Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day makes you view those holidays a little differently. Many of the men and women in uniform have been to Iraq and/or Afghanistan. Some are going for their first time while others are returning for a second or third tour of duty. Some of them have lost fellow soldiers. They understand the cost of American freedom. Today, we remember those men and women who paid for our freedom with their blood just as Jesus Christ purchased our freedom with his blood.

The Dogface Soldier

The 3rd Infantry Division (nicknamed the Marne Division) has been active since WWI. Their motto is 'Rock of the Marne.' I thought I would share with you their song, one of many we are learning (YouTube it if you want to hear it):
I wouldn't give a bean to be a fancy pants Marine
I'd rather be a dogface soldier like I am
I wouldn't trade my old OD's for all the Navy's Dungarees
For I'm the walking pride of Uncle Sam
On Army posters that I read it says 'Be All That You Can'
So they're tearing me down to build me over again
I'm just a dogface soldier with a rifle on my shoulder
and I eat raw meat for breakfast ev'ry day
So feed me ammunition
Keep me in the third division
Your dogface soldiers' a-okay

CIMT-Week 1

Chaplain Initial Military Training (CIMT) lasts from 23 May until 17 June 2011. This initial phase of chaplain training concludes with a beret donning ceremony. Until then we are not permitted to wear the beret. For now, we must wear our patrol cap. For a chaplain (such as myself) I wear a cross on my 'cover' instead of my rank. Likewise, I wear a cross on my right chest above my name tape.
This first week was mostly in-processing. Dental x-rays, paperwork, purchasing Army clothing and learning how to wear it properly, weigh-in, physical fitness assessment etc. We received brief awareness training on sexual assault and drug and alcohol abuse in the Army. Yesterday we began learning Drill and Ceremony (D&C). We have been getting in formation all week and standing at parade rest a lot this week. However, now we are learning how to do it by the book. Our marching has plenty of room for improvement, but we have fun doing it poorly.
Also, we received our TA-50 equipment (Army issue gear that must be returned at the end of training). I now possess a gas mask (PIC: On the far right SGT Burton is fitting my mask). We will all have the privilege to put it into good use next Wednesday afternoon in the gas chamber. No one is looking forward to that experience. No, Mom, no one dies in the gas chamber! Although you may feel like you were getting close...
The ten guys that I spend the most time with are those of us with the 4th Squad of the 1st Platoon. We are all away from family and so must become family to one another. It is amazing how quickly this takes place in our context. A quick comraderie is built when you spend hours in the South Carolina sun drilling together. Each is physically and mentally tired at the end of the day and yet we laugh! Sometimes only laughter is needed in trying times. Yes, humor is a virtue!