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.