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.