Half Way There

It was such a good Bon Jovi song and it fits well into my life right now. I have officially finished three of my 6 semesters of Seminary (Got the grades today, but finals were done Friday). It is actually surreal in that I can't believe it has been that long. The time has flown by, but I think that is because of the hectic pace of work here. It has been a bit more than I expected and took a good semester to get in the groove. Kind of similar to the idea on the ship that it took 4-6 months to really get comfortable with and know your job. I do kind of dig the breaks between semesters, too bad I schedule a bunch of stuff during them. I have to fly to LA this Friday for ordination interviews, come back on Tuesday for Christmas, off to Atlanta for the bowl game and then as a small group leader for a college conference then school starts. How the time flies.

A Day Which Will Live in Infamy

67 years ago today, the world changed forever, and PHNSY personnel actually did something on behalf of the sailors there. While we tend to rag on those who work at PHNSY for being lazy on that day they moved cranes into harms way to block planes and save ships from destruction. Many of them also lost their lives as well. On a clear Sunday morning, Pearl Harbor was attacked and everything America stood for was put to the test. On this day I just direct your attention to the following articles from the Raleigh News and Observer for a great description of how Pearl Harbor affected us and one regarding the way it affected one individual. The numbers of those who were there are rapidly dwindling and we need to listen to what they say and learn from their ideas. A heart felt thank you to those there that day and throughout WWII.

Why CBS needs to give up the Army-Navy Game

Again, CBS completely botched their coverage of the game. I do give them credit for actually having an announcer with knowledge--Boomer Esiason. And, they did actually show the singing of the alma mater after the game, but other than that, pretty poor performance. I would almost like to see NBC get the game because at least those announcers have seen Navy play once each season and know the players. I miss the days of ABC having the game and really focusing less on advertising and more on the traditions and reason behind the game. I especially miss the spirit spots that units from around the world, and at the academies, make for the game. Only 3 (for a total of about 90 seconds) in a 3 1/2 hour time slot. Gimme a break. Especially seeing how there are such creative spots on youtube that were submitted. I just hope it is the network denying the air time and not the powers that be at the academies.

So I have included a few of my favorites from a quick web search. Even being a Navy guy, the milkman spot by the Army that got broadcast was creative and funny. I would have included that one, but couldn't find it easily.

One from the Sub force (had to include that one):



This one is my favorite:




The next one is a few years old, but because it hearkens back to my childhood and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air I had to include it:



Despite the poor coverage, it was a great game to watch and see Navy completely dominate Army and win the 7th in a row. Plus they pitched the first shutout in 30 years. I just hope my Yellow Jackets can do that well in the Peach Bowl. (I refuse to call it the new name).

Football and Family

I know this is almost a week late in talking about Thanksgiving, but I was busy typing papers and such for the last few weeks of class and didn't have much time. I am constantly amazed by the sense of community and family in the military, especially the Navy. On Thanksgiving, my parents and I flew into Seattle for the weekend to visit my brother on Whidbey Island. When we arrived, he had arranged for us to have dinner with the family of another member of his squadron. We were welcomed with open arms and met that guy, his wife, his parents and two other P-3 types. There was no feeling of intrusion as it has been my experience that you truly look out for each other in the Navy. I remember hosting many open dinners on the holidays at my home when I was active duty and am glad that it is more than the submarine force that extends that kind of hospitality. It is something I have missed and am trying to model for others while here in seminary. The church seems to fail miserably in hospitality and is one thing of many they can learn from the military. (That might be a good dissertation topic for anyone interested in a PhD)

As for the football, it is nice to see my Yellow Jackets are going to a great bowl game this year. We finally benefited from the +/-1 win rule this year and got the best selection of the non-champions. Typically we fall all the way down and get stuck with some West Coast bowl game no one can get to. This time we are playing in Atlanta and I should be there rooting them on. I am assuming my ticket request gets through, especially seeing how I am tagging onto someone else's request who has higher priority than myself. Hopefully, they play fare better than the last few games, especially the narrow loss I witnessed in the Gator Bowl two seasons ago. It is nice to see them continually going to bowl games seeing how they went the two years before I attended, missed all four years of my school time and have not missed a bowl since I graduated. Coincidence? Probably.

Thanksgiving Travel

I was happy to travel out to the Seattle area and visit with my brother for Thanksgiving, but I could do without the travel back today. Sitting on the tarmac in Newark for over an hour after leaving the gate absolutely sucked, especially when they locked the restrooms until after the turbulence went away. Every time I fly I realize how much I can't stand flying. It gets me there quickly and that is what I fly for. As I landed today I realized I have two more cross country flights in the next two months and one of them is very close to Christmas. Happy Happy Joy Joy!

As for Seattle, it was cloudy and damp, surprise I know. I got to see Whidbey Island for the first time and all of the country around there out to Sequim. I even have a speeding ticket to prove I was driving in a small town and didn't realize the speed limit. Lucky me. When in Seattle yesterday, the whole family did this underground tour that was well worth the money. I learned a great deal about the history of Seattle in a humorous and interesting way. If you are ever there, I recommend that tour at Pioneer Square.

Now I need to get some motivation to finish all this work I have due in the next two weeks.

BZ Golden Corral

Last night my parents and I went to the annual military appreciation day hosted by Golden Corral. For those not living in the few states where this restaurant has a presence, all military members past and present get a free meal. It is one of those steak houses with a LARGE buffet. What makes it so amazing is that they give the meals out on the honor system. For us mom paid and dad and I took advantage of the free meal.

The place was packed as you might expect and on first glance it looked like they weren't going to make any kind of money with all the veterans running around eating as much as they wanted. However, last year the company cleared millions of dollars of revenue on that day alone. Now why mention this? It shows that if you are generous, you actually can benefit from that. I am sure there are many of people who bend the truth and say they are veterans for the free meal. Personally, I say go for it. If you need a meal that bad and someone is offering a healthy buffet for free take advantage of it. After all isn't that part of what we stood up to serve for? Plus, they know that most people are going to fess up and pay if they need to, especially based on the amount of revenue they get. Another benefit is there are people collecting donations for the DAV and other charities that benefit wounded veterans. I can't imagine how much they collect on this night as I saw many people dropping money in the buckets.

If you are ever in one of those states where there is a Golden Corral I invite you to take part in this dinner next November. They seat you as you come at tables of 6-8 so you get to meet other service members and have a great discussion at the table. I know I will continue to go back when I am in the area and partake in this annual dinner.

Seminary and Submarines

As I quickly approach my half-way point of seminary, I am beginning to reflect on what has changed in my life and what has stayed the same. Especially as I begin to think about the next chapter in life that will begin in about 18 more months. When I first arrived in seminary I knew things would not be completely opposite from that on the sub, but the similarities really surprised me. In the vein of the famous 100 ways McDonald's is better than a submarine, I offer a list of ways in which seminary is no different than being on a submarine. I will not set a final number as I am positive the list will grow and change over the next half of my time here.

Disclaimer: I am in no means saying I want to go back and live the life of an XO/CO on a sub. I am glad I followed my call to ordained ministry, but man sometimes I feel that maybe everything is like being on a sub.

1. The technology sucks. Sub's have computers that take 14 character passwords and are typically a generation behind what the rest of the world uses. Seminary has computer programs that are put into use before they are even tested leaving us to figure out how to register for classes the night before when trying to get other work done.

2. Grading that is obscure. It seems like most of my papers are graded by ORSE/TRE/BSA inspectors. They tell you how screwed up and wrong your ideas and execution is, but rarely do you get comments on how to get better and improve your writing and thinking. This is the typical inspection line of "you need to figure out how to fix yourself, I am here to inspect."

3. Leadership that sets unrealistic goals. I have learned the human capacity of the number of pages one can read in a week. Not only am I expected to read up to 500 pages a week, but I am supposed to read it slowly and fully grasp what I read. I can keep up most weeks, but comprehending it all, not so much. I sometimes wonder what the reasoning behind purchasing 25 books a semester accomplishes other than making some theologian somewhere a ton of money. Subs taught me to push myself beyond my limits and this may be the purpose here, but it still hurts.

4. Competition. Here the competition is brutal among those wanting to get their PhD's. It is pretty interesting to watch. At least the competition I saw was among departments or other ships, never really between everyone in the same division.

5. Lofty Career expectations. There are many who want to be the next great theologian and are scheming to make that happen. I too have goals after here, but they mainly deal with trying to just get out there and preach to sailors and ministers.

6. Long Hours. I never expected to put this much time into studying. I don't think I have ever studied this much and I went to a fairly challenging engineering school (Georgia Tech). I think I spend about 60+ hrs/week working in a church and studying. Not as much as on board, but quite unexpected just like onboard. You never expect to pull a 100 hr week on board and no one will every tell you they occur frequently.

7. Crazy certification exams. I have to start studying this summer for my ordination exams. I have already passed one, the easy one they tell me, and have to take 4 more in August. Two three hour exams on a Friday, a three hour exam on a Saturday morning and then get a take home exam at noon that day that is due back the following Thursday. And like PNEO, there is a fairly good chance of failing a section and you can't go on in the career unless you pass all the sections.

8. Tight community. I had to put something positive in this. While I don't think my friendships here will be forged in the confines of a steel tube for 6 months, the suffering here does tend to bring people together like on a sub.

Well, I know this list will grow and change as time goes by. I am just running out of time as I need to actually get back and study. On another note, the site meter said last week was a record number of views of this web page. It had to be the submarine stuff on the site. Hopefully, the two or three of you keep coming back.

On the Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day...

Today marks the 90th anniversary of the treaty of Versailles, ending the war to end all wars or so we hoped. Armistice day was created to commemorate that day and later it became what we know as Veteran's Day. It is really odd for me to actually have to work on that day as I have had to do the last two years after getting it off for every other year of my life, including in school. I never really thought about the day until I had to labor in school on this day. I have never really considered myself a veteran as I didn't see any combat, though there were some stressful and scary days on the boat. I guess that is something I learned from my dad. He never looked for recognition (was a Navy HM), but made sure that others were appreciated. When I think of veteran I think of my grandparents. So today I called them and it made me appreciate what they gave me today. My grandfather no longer knows who I am, nor does he likely remember the Battle of the Bulge (not that he ever talked about it). But his sacrifice over there allows me to live in a country of phenomenal liberty and peaceful transfers of power.

In seminary, they tend to forget those who serve because it can get violent and nasty but I am of the opinion that someone has to get out there and protect the weak and it might as well be me. As for all the others that are out there tonight standing on the wall, on the fireline, in a trench, in a tank, on the midwatch, in a ready room or sleeping getting ready for tomorrow I thank you and I am extremely grateful for writing a check that is payable to the US Government for up to and including your life. I pray it never gets cashed and you get to come back to your family and friends and let someone else take a turn on the pointy end of the spear. For those that have served, job well done.

I didn't get to do what I wanted tonight, watch my favorite episode of Band of Brothers--Why We Fight. I think every American should watch the entire series, but that episode in particular. It shows what we all stand for here and validates why people choose to give up a normal life for the excitement that comes in the military. If you are so moved, donate to a charity for those who served such as the Wounded Warrior Project or the DAV or just tell them thanks.

With the thanks of a grateful nation.

History Unfolding

Finally the long campaign season is over. It has been quite a night to see history unfold before my eyes. I am not writing to discuss the politics of the two candidates, but rather to sit in awe of the way in which our country transfers power. Congressman John Lewis called it a non-violent revolution and that statement really catches the essence of why America is different among countries of the world. It is a nation that openly works out its mistakes and social wounds, no matter how deep or ugly, in a way with no military coup necessary to change the reins of power. Every four years, on schedule and without guns we peacefully transfer, or reaffirm, power in the country.

Tonight that transfer of power has distinct historical significance. A minority, at least in our country, has ascended to the highest elected office in the land. Despite all of the negative attitudes we tend to heap on ourselves, Americans can look beyond labels to make a choice based on policy. And the side that loses can accept the defeat and reach out to work with the winning side. I have to say that McCain's concession speech was unbelievably gracious and forward looking despite it being his only shot at attaining the presidency. I am just amazed at how much foresight the founding fathers had when crafting the document that provides for election nights in this country.

What is Seminary Really For?

This has been eating at me for a while and I am not even sure if I can articulate the question, much less an answer, properly. The frustration may just stem from me being at a Divinity School instead of a true seminary, but I think that all of them suffer from similar issues. What is the point of studying about and writing countless papers about theology if the only responses that gain merit are those that speak in academic terms instead of what I will actually say to my congregation? Why do seminaries allow internships and field education during the summer and separating the academics from the application? Why are we not required to perform some form of long term service in the community during our three years in school?

I don't know the right answer. I have discussed these with other students. Some are sympathetic and some think I am off my rocker. Seminary should not be easy on either an academic or personal level. The challenges in both areas make you question your calling and drive you to ask and attempt an answer to the tough questions. But why should we separate the tough intellectual questions from the tough practical ones? My struggles with people outside the walls of the seminary help me wrestle with the countless pages of ancient and modern texts we read and vice versa. We are called as pastors to live in the world and show a glimpse of the Kingdom of God to everyone, so why do some students find it hard to get out in the community while in seminary? How does one go about convincing people that there is an amazing world out there that you can learn from and help at the same time. Plus, it gives a sanity break from the rigors of the world.

Just some rambling thoughts and questions I may never get the answers to.

Shout out to some Middies

I actually got these photos a few weeks ago, so I apologize about the delay. School has been keeping me quite busy over the last month. These are actually photos at the US Air Force Academy where some Naval Academy Midshipmen made a statement the week that Navy traveled to Colorado Springs for some football. Just some light humor that proves how ingenious and creative submariners can be. It is nice to see the tradition will carry on through the next generation.

Random Thoughts

So it has been almost a month since the last post. That means I am either lazy or busy. This time I can actually claim the busyness factor. This has started to subside now that things are getting routine and should let up a bit in a little over a week when I get my next two major assignments complete.

On a good note, I again survived the campout for Duke Basketball tickets for the Graduate Students and the lottery chose me for season tickets for the second straight year. Nothing like staying up for 36 hours straight to get tickets for essentially one game, UNC. The rest of the home schedule pretty much sucks but at least I get to go to some of the games as our group divides the tickets between the entire group that tented together. It is a great way to get to know others and it raised about $3500 for local charities over Friday and Saturday.

The semester is going well despite an initial feeling that I had over extended myself. I have been amazed at the time demand that campus ministry, my internship this year, places on people. It is such a good practice for becoming a military chaplain that the time commitment is well worth whatever stress it may induce. I get to work with young adults of the same age as my future Sailors and Marines dealing with all of the same issues as those in the military. Just like being a military chaplain, campus ministry is all about being present and available in their lives. I am blessed that this opportunity basically fell into my lap for this year. It would be better if I was getting paid for the work, but I didn't jump ship for the pay. Having to work for no money really forced me to deal with the fact that ministry is a calling and not a job. I just have to trust that I have the resources now and will have them later after I graduate and get a paying job again.

As with the Chaplain thing, I am at a loss for words with what happened on the USS Nebraska this past weekend. Apparently, the details are still not official, one of the junior sailors died while cleaning around a piece of gear that is powered by high pressure hydraulics. The gear moved and sliced his leg causing a mortal injury. My prayers are with those on board the sub and all of his brothers in the fleet that knew him. I never lost a shipmate while underway, but did lose some from other causes and those were traumatic. I can't imagine what they are dealing with losing him while underway. Hearing of times like this affirm my calling in that I am able to see the need for the Chaplain Corps in the overall health of the units they serve. These are the exact reasons why Chaplains are needed throughout the military. The service members constantly stare death down every day and need someone there to provide the care when death claims an occasional victory.

Year Two Week One

What a fast paced week. It looks as though this semester will be difficult in a completely different way than last year. Gone are the days of weekly one page busy work assignments. These are replaced by more intense and dense reading assignments and papers that make up a larger portion of our grades. As expected, it was an overwhelming week when I looked at all the assignments at first glance. But, as I get into the cycle of school and get the routine down again, it should be less daunting. I am excited about the subjects: Theology, Calvin, Greek and American Christianity. As long as I learn enough to pass my ordination exams next summer I will be satisfied with the semester.

I started my internship with the Campus Ministry here at Duke (the PCUSA variety). It is a great group of students and the supervisor is amazing as well. I am looking forward to seeing if campus ministry is a possibility in my life. Regardless of that outcome, it will be good practice for my future as a Navy Chaplain. Hopefully, I can teach the students as much as they will teach me this year. I really like the idea of learning how to work a ministry of presence, just being there for a group of people when they need me. It makes the job a bit more relaxing as well. I don't need to change the world, I just need to be ready when called.

School Prep

It is interesting how time flies as you procrastinate getting ready for classes to start. I got back from Chaplain School last Sunday night and then things got busy. I helped facilitate a service project for a group of incoming first year students at seminary (it ends up being about 20% of the incoming class). We show them around Durham and introduce them to the major issues in the city as seen from civic leaders and faith based organizations. They also learn from each other about how the problems in Durham are not only seen in Durham but from the cities they arrive here from. They also get the opportunity to meet a large portion of the class and get semi-settled in during that time.

As for me, I was there the entire time leading the incoming class through this process and got so hooked on the Olympics that I have done nothing at night to get ready for classes. I just couldn't pull myself away from watching the swimming. It is amazing how those athletes in all sports dedicate so much of their lives for just one short moment, sometimes lasting only a few seconds. Just think what would happen if the church would put for the same effort into something even greater than winning a gold medal. If each congregation would dedicate a major portion of their time and treasure on one issue in the community at all times, what would our world look like? What if a congregation of 1000 decided to end homelessness in their community (10$ per member each month from that size church would build two habitat homes each year)? These are questions that we are forced to ask in this week long service project each year. The real rub is how to convince a congregation to go out and do it.

Chaplain School Part 4

So we finally graduated on Friday with a bit more pomp than I think was really deserved. It was just a graduation from a 7 week service school. We were in chokers and had an official party and everything. I remember all of my other graduations and the most formal was power school and that wasn't too formal even with flag officer speakers. The good thing is that I am done with all of my required Navy training for becoming a chaplain. The odd thing is that with all of that training I still can't do a darn thing as a Navy Chaplain. Some crazy rule about not being able to do anything that I can do at my own church. All because I am still in school. There are ordained Chaplain Candidates that cannot preside over sacraments in a military setting. Sometimes the Navy way of thinking just baffles me.

I did get to visit some old friends in DC on the way back to NC. It was a great weekend. I also was able to finally visit Arlington Cemetery and the WWII memorial. Those were powerful experiences. At the WWII memorial there was a Pearl Harbor vet that I was able to thank and talk with for a few minutes. There was also another vet that was in front of the wall of stars and gave me a great photo. I will try and get that up later. Arlington was sobering, but not for the reasons many others call it sobering. I was actually a bit disturbed by the tourist feel of the place. They need to get rid of the for profit tour operator and offer the rides for free for those that are not able to walk and make everyone else walk around and soak up the reason for that hallowed ground. Sorry about the rant, but the real sobering thing as a future chaplain is the fact that section 2, an entire section of grave sites, is reserved for chaplains. That really made what I am getting ready to do hit home. Not many chaplains die in combat, but if we do we all get a reserved section. It also highlights just how highly we are looked upon by the military in that they set a special place for those of us that pass.

Now my focus is back on getting ready for school that starts two weeks from today. I have to get ready for my internship that starts the first week and a divinity school service project focusing on Durham that starts tomorrow.

On a completely different note, how about the US relay team and the amazing finish last night. I am so glad I am not underway or standing duty this Olympic year and get to see everything as it happens. I am a huge fan of the summer games and this year is not letting me down. I hope for a number of other upsets and close matches in all the sports.

Chaplain School Part 3

It once again has been a bit of time since the last post and I have since had a birthday in that time. The Chaplain corps takes care of their own much like the submarine force as some of my fellow students went out and got a cake for me to assist in celebrating my birthday. I was even given some gag gifts in the vein of a submarine wardroom. I will have to say the best gifts came from my parents. Dad shipped up some of his famous oatmeal cookies for me and the class and mom went to my house that has sat empty for the last two months and cleaned it up.

Class has remained pretty much the same, more focus on being an officer and how to be a staff officer and less on how to perform ministry in the military, but I think I am numb to the frustration of the curriculum. We did get to go out in the field for a week and play like we were on a field exercise with the Marines. The obstacle course and the Leader Reaction Course were worth the price of admission alone. As soon as I get photos from my classmates, I will try and post a few here. Those two days probably bonded the class more than any other event so far and we got to see what each of us were made of. On the whole, we have an impressive bunch of Chaplains entering the fleet over the next few years. This past week was more on how to report to your first command, but there was a section on learning a specific program for marriage counseling that the Navy uses.

Friday was the first ever change of command for the Chaplain school, and it was the most bizarre one I have attended. There is a typical format used and this one deviated in many places. I was kind of hoping for a typical 1000 ceremony and the rest of the day off, needless to say that did not occur.

A group of us went to Martha's Vineyard last weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. It is an expensive island, but if you are not staying the night it is not too bad. We learned once we got there that the vineyard was torn down a few years ago, but there is still plenty to see and do over the course of a day. We discovered last Sunday that there are two vineyards about 10 minutes from Newport and we explored those and had a great time. I am Presbyterian so I am allowed to drink in moderation (for those of you cringing at the thought of a minister drinking alcohol). I am looking forward to today and my trip to Boston to see the Red Sox at Fenway. I am neither a big baseball fan or a Red Sox fan, but the chance to see a game at Fenway I just can't pass up. I have wanted to go to a game since showing up so I am taking the chance today to get up there and experience such a fabled ball park.

Chaplain School (Part 2)

It has been a while since last posting and that is more due to my laziness and wanting to have a bit of a social life. As someone with a significant amount of Navy experience, I am still finding the entire course frustrating but there have been some rays of hope over the last few weeks. First of all was the ethics mini-course we received. A Professor of Military Ethics from the Naval Academy came up and essentially gave us his semester class in three days. A bit fast, but extremely helpful, informative and interesting. We finish up the basic course on Friday and then move into the advanced stuff. Hopefully that will shed more light on military ministry than we have been getting. Most of our course work covers basic Navy knowledge and is frustrating to sit through after living the life for 11 years.

Next week we get to participate in Amphibious training which is a fancy way of saying we will be learning how to serve in a Marine Battalion. That has the promise of being a fun and interesting week. We first wear the combat utility uniforms on Friday to make sure are not completely hosed up wearing the uniform. We get to do obstacle courses and such and leave Newport for the field for the week living in tents and such. That in itself may be quite interesting as I am pretty sure there are a number of the class that have never camped out or done orienteering.

Following the week in the field, we get all the training that earns us certifications in pre-marital counseling and suicide assistance, etc. Those are the useful tools I have been longing for. First I just have to survive the basic Navy courses for a few more days. I also get to tour a sub on Thursday. That will be interesting for a number of reasons especially as I am an Ensign with Gold Dolphins. I am sure there will be some puzzled looks from the crew of the lucky submarine we get to tour.

Newport continues to be a great place to come for the summer. I have been able to get out a few times despite the 12 hour days of power point classes (there has to be a better and more humane way to teach us). Got to go along cliff walk and see the mansions that this area is famous for. The amount of money that has been poured into this area is staggering when you see the homes on the cliffs of Newport. This is my third time doing the walk and the first time I actually got some photos. Now I have proof I was up here in the summer. I am going to a polo match on Saturday. Haven't ever done that and I am looking forward to the experience.

I guess I should actually look over the stuff for tomorrow's test and quit procrastinating.

Chaplain School (Part 1)

Now that the first week is almost complete, I can sit down a reflect a bit on what the school is like. It has a great deal of redundant information this week as the instructors and curriculum attempt to ease the new military members into a fleet command. There are still some very annoying remnants of Officer Development School such as standing behind our chairs after every single break awaiting permission to sit back down. This one has been quite irritating, but I am just playing along with the game trusting that there is a purpose I may never quite understand behind the requirement. The Gunnery Sergeant is one of the funniest men I have ever met yet still locked on and as hard as anyone could imagine for a Gunnery Sergeant.

I will say that my classmates are a great group of individuals that should all succeed as Navy Chaplains. The class has a good mix of those going on Active Duty, Reserve Duty and Chaplain Candidates like myself. There are also about a quarter of us with prior service of some form. This mix of experience along with the breadth of faith groups represented make for enriching conversations and debates. I had the privilege of accompanying a Rabbi on his grocery shopping tonight ahead of Sabbath tomorrow. It was a valuable learning experience that doesn't drop into the lap of everyday Christians. We both discussed our faith openly and honestly attempting to learn from each other. I am convinced that after hour experiences such as that are far more valuable than following the curriculum in the school house. The instructors are also very open and agreeable to allowing the free discussion in the classroom to guide the course as that also enhances our learning to be Navy Chaplains.

Next week looks to be a way to dig deeper into the Chaplain way of doing things and also into the military aspect of the job as it stands in relation to religions of peace. We also get to begin our stream of overnight and day long field trips. We will eventually get a chance to tour a submarine. That should be quite a trip as I haven't been an Ensign on a submarine in a long time and I am actually looking forward to the odd stares I will get from the crew seeing a submarine qualified Ensign with a cross on his left collar. I may actually spend more time explaining that to the tour guide than getting an actual tour. It will be especially interesting if we tour a LA class boat, but we will see when that comes around.

New Beginnings

The whole becoming a Chaplain idea didn't really take hold until this week as I actually put on my uniform with the Ensign bars. This was a shock after seeing myself in photos as a Lieutenant Commander just slightly more than a year ago. Now I am starting it all over again at the bottom and learning a new specialty in the Navy. I know the submarine training will serve me well, but that warfare training will bring some frustration as well. I expect the Navy to operate in a certain way, the way I was trained, and it seems to not be that way in the Chaplain corps. The most frustrating aspect is the lack of any urgency in getting things accomplished, especially crucial paperwork for getting me ready for school. I got a call the day I left to come up here requesting certain things they discovered I needed to submit (again I might add) that day. Hard to do when you are on the road and frustrating knowing they have had a year to get the information. The second frustration comes from something I did once as a leader in the Navy, add time buffers to requirements. We have to report at 0715 tomorrow and the school is essentially across the street from where we are all staying. Simple enough, leave right at 0700 to get there on early and turn in the mound of paperwork they need before 0715. Well, I get a phone message today that we have to meet at 0630 to make the 2 minute walk together and make sure no one is late. Treat people with a lack of trust and that is what you tend to get, hence why I attempted time buffers only once in my career. Others tend to do that and there is never any need to take away personal responsibility from people. Enough of that rant. Regardless, I am excited about the next 7 weeks.

Dejavu

Last night as I iron uniforms for the first time in 18 months I had a strong sense of dejavu. The last time I got so many uniforms ready at the same time was almost 16 years ago when I was under severe time constraints to have uniforms inspection ready for a gunnery sergeant in NROTC. I chuckled frequently as I thought back to those days while ironing my uniforms. Secondly, the last time I put on a uniform for active duty I was a LCDR in the submarine force. Now, I am an ENS again back in the initial training phase for a Navy career. I am almost certain this set of schools will be less mentally challenging than the whole nuclear pipeline, but it will still be rewarding. I sat amazed at the whole loss of rank thing last night. All this just to follow God. I am not the only one to do this, I remind myself, and I know the end result is what is important.

On another note, a good friend that is out of the Navy but in the reserves was just recalled involuntarily for duty in Iraq. He is excited about the challenge of working plans at Camp Victory, but I still wish him success and safe travels over the next 400+ days. As more and more people I know are sent over there, the warrior mentality kicks in for me and I feel slighted that I am not over there using my skills. It is hard to see your brothers in arms go into harms way while you are stuck stateside. We always wanted to be on deployment and the pointy end of the spear while on the boat, and this is no different. Military personnel want to be with their brethren when they are in danger as we so often relied on each other.

Montreat Rocks

I finished two weeks of ministry during the first two weeks of the Montreat Youth Conferences in Montreat, NC. This is an amazing time during which hundreds of Presbyterian high school youth from around the country descend on the sleepy town. The conferences have a fairly set schedule with energizers, music and a keynote speech each morning followed by two small group sessions, I was there to lead one of those, worship every evening and then discussions with their home churches to close out the day. The youth are focused around a biblical theme that attempts to challenge them to live out their faith in the world. I have attended in many capacities over the years and am really grateful for the opportunity to continue my participation every year. It is a tiring and rewarding experience. They youth are phenomenal and are allowed to just be who they are and the staff are an amazing group of people as well. I am amazed at the number of close friendships forged every year in such a short time.

This year was especially interesting as I actually performed on stage for a portion of keynote both Tuesdays. I have not been on stage to act in almost 20 years, so it was quite a thrill to participate in that way this year. The experience has me wanting to come back sometime as a keynoter or even the preacher once I am out of seminary. I think it would be a powerful experience to deliver a message to a group of youth eager to make their mark on the world. The amazing thing about the audience is that by the end of the week, most of the youth have dropped all their walls and are ready and willing to listen to what people have to say. They see a glimpse of what the body of Christ means and maybe some of them go out and try to live that life outside the gates of Montreat.

Now that I am back from that mountain paradise, I have to deal with packing for my Chaplain training that I depart for on Thursday, get an AC unit fixed, get the car in the shop, complete some scholarship applications and try to get some sleep and relaxation before school starts. I plan to make entries every week from Newport, Rhode Island but we will see how that goes.

An Adventure Filled Year or so

It is really interesting and quite amazing for me to sit back and look at what all has happened over the last 15 months in my life. I started off 2007 as a department head on a submarine in Pearl Harbor and today I sit as a Navy Chaplain Candidate who just completed his first year of seminary. So a quick tour of this period:
Terminal Leave and a trip to Kauai (First time after over 6 years in Hawaii)
Learned to surf (The day before I left the island for good)
Traveled across country
Found out I got into Duke (I left Hawaii no knowing where I would eventually live)
Lived with the parents for a summer
Sold two houses and bought one
Spent two weeks at Montreat Youth conferences
Participated in the Duke Youth Academy for Christian Formation
Began Seminary
A year of Volunteering at the UNC Children's Hospital
Two trips to LA for ordination requirements
Re-commissioned as an ENS in the Chaplain Candidate Program (From an O-4 in the Sub force)
Ran a Marathon (My 5th)
Preached my first sermon ever
Taught a confirmation course for my internship
Participated as a Chaplain candidate in a commissioning ceremony
Visited my home church in Hawaii for ordination requirements

Now I know many people have much more happening in their lives, but for someone who had the Navy routine governing my life and really limiting everything to what happens on the ship that we can't discuss, this is a huge change in life. I am back off to Montreat again tomorrow to work with those amazing High School kids for two weeks starting the cycle again. I am amazed at what has happened in my life over the last year or so and can't wait to see what happens in year two of this journey of mine. I knew it would be something special and amazing to pull me away from the submarine force and it has not disappointed.

Travelling Adventures

What a long day. You know it is not going to be good when you arrive at the airport and your flight status shows a delay of 2 hours and that is only tentative. Apparently there was some problem with the plane while still on the mainland and the plane hadn't left two hours before my scheduled flight. When I got to the kiosk it said see the agent. I see her then get really worried. She complains about no available flights and disappears for at least 10 minutes. She comes back and says my two options are: 1) Fly out at 9:30 to Salt Lake City and then on to Cincinatti and then to Raleigh arriving 8 hours later than scheduled, or 2) Leave Honolulu at 3:42 the next morning arriving in Raleigh 10 hours later than scheduled. I chose option one as I had already checked out of my hotel and had turned in the car. Delta also waived the fee for the extra bag and gave me some money for dinner. Needless to say, it was a long day.

It was a great week seeing and talking to many old friends. It was odd going back to Hawaii as a visitor. I haven't done that since 1995 and my Midshipman cruises. I did get to play golf and acquire the obligatory sunburn due to my own stupidity as I am losing my hair and need a hat now. I got all the necessary things done while out there and now am one step closer to the goal of ordination in two years. Time to get some sleep.

Sunny Day

The VOG finally lifted for a day out here in Hawaii yesterday which was vital as I played golf with an old XO. This was the first day I have been out here that the VOG was gone. This is essentially smog due to the volcano on the Big Island that is 100 miles away. The normal trade winds shift from the East and we get light winds from the South that blows in all the smoke from the volcano. This makes the islands very hazy, humid and hot similar to a summer day in the South. As it was bright and sunny finally, of course I didn't put on enough sunscreen so I will suffer for a few days, but any day golfing is really worth it right?

All my meetings are done here and I just have to pick up some uniforms, pack and fly out this afternoon. It was a great trip that accomplished a lot but also allowed for some serious relaxation for the first time since August.

What a Difference a Year Makes

I landed in Hawaii yesterday afternoon to meet some ordination requirements at my home church here in Honolulu and noticed many differences in the last 14 months. I walked down into Waikiki and hardly recognized the area as almost every store has been torn down or remodeled. I couldn't believe the amount of construction in that short period of time. It seems that the culmination of a vow to clean up the tourist areas is almost complete. Additionally, I noticed a really encouraging trend in the larger number of street performers in Waikiki. They all seemed to not really harass the pedestrians as with other big city performers. I really enjoy these performers as they add life to the city and add some interesting diversions as you walk.

Another change was noticeable at my home church. Late last year most of the young adults left to plant another church near downtown. This was distinctly noticeable last night at the young adult gathering at my home church, there were only 15 people there as opposed to the 200 or so that met weekly before the church plant. Their leaving was not a wholly bad thing, just some thing noticeable as I only recognized three people from the previous group. I am curious to see what the makeup looks like at the worship services on Sunday.

All this has me thinking, what has changed in me over the last year(besides gaining weight). I am not even sure if I would notice the changes as I am constantly and slowly undergoing the changes. Really, most change is subtle and slow such that it can only be observed from a distance. Looking at the results of the changes in Waikiki from that distance and seeing what a bunch of little changes can do, imagine what could be done in our own lives and the community over time through small and meaningful changes. Just a thought.

That time of year

I am not real sure how this post will come out as it is the first one, but I'll give it the old college try. Now that I have finished school for the year and survived the first year of seminary I thought doing the blogging thing may help friends keep up with this crazy journey of mine that started a few years ago.

As for the meat of this posting, it is that time of year for commissioning all the new Navy Ensigns and Marine Corps 2nd LT's. This will go on for the next few weeks in rapid succession all across the country. I reminisce on this as today I had the honor of not just attending the Duke NROTC commissioning ceremony, but I actually was invited to participate in this momentous event for 8 young men and women. I delivered the invocation and the benediction at Duke Chapel of all places. The whole experience was truly humbling, especially when bringing up memories of my commissioning as a line officer 12 years ago next month.

There is something absolutely magical about sitting in Duke Chapel. The large and magnificent stained glass windows, the amazing architecture, etc. Though it was not used in the ceremony, I highly recommend sitting in Duke Chapel, or any large gothic chapel, and listening to the organ in the middle of the day outside of any service. So that was the scene, but the real powerful part came from being tasked to pray over men and women that will face combat within the next year. It provided a sense of necessity for making the prayers relevant and encouraging for these young adults that have chosen to serve something greater than themselves. I probably put a great deal more time into preparing the two short prayers than many others I have crafted at worship services over the past year. I think the prospect of actually being part of the "official party" and the fact that I would speak at Duke Chapel made me a slightly nervous even knowing that the words would most likely be forgotten in short order.

The whole experience really was affirming in that I know I am truly called to military chaplaincy. I have experienced many other small events such as this over the past few years confirming my call to ordained ministry, but this was the first time where I participated in a military function such as will become commonplace in my future. I just hope that I still get chills up my spine and slightly nervous in these occasions as I do every time I stand up to preach, pray or otherwise proclaim God's word to people.

To the Duke NROTC class of 2008: Fair Winds and Following Seas.