Monday, January 31, 2011

Notes From the Field

I can't really remember a day by day blow of the past two weeks as we went out for a Field Exercise (FEX) on the 19th and came back out of the field on the 27th. I have to admit I had a great time despite the cold temperatures (less than 32 every night, one night it got to 15 before the wind chill). It was great to get out there with the Marines and have a first hand view of what they do regarding their training for the upcoming deployment. From a professional point of view, I have a greater understanding of what they do every day and because I was out there in the cold, rain and snow with them I now have a stronger bond with them and they trust me more than anytime in the last two months.

I got to perform three worship services out in the field and learned that weekday services during training may not work. I'll try one more time when we are in Ft. Pickett next month so we'll see how that works out but it still won't keep me from traveling around to where the Marines are to be present for them as much as possible. The first time I served communion to them was in a tent where the only light was a kerosene heater and green chem lights. Talk about a new way to worship. Two hours later I was in a church looking building in a fake town serving communion to a much larger crowd because three companies were all located within about 100 yards of the church. It was a truly amazing experience and I look forward to the future services with them.

I would post the sermons but I used notes instead of a manuscript because it didn't seem appropriate to use a manuscript in the setting we had. The weekday sermon was based on Psalm 100 and focused on why we worship using the imperative commands in the passage as the reasons why we gather as a community to worship. The Sunday service used the words of institution from 1 Corinthians 11 as the text and explored why we celebrate communion, specifically what we are remembering when we come to the Lord's table.

Some highlights and fond memories from the FEX. Seeing the guys smile and perform at a high level in miserable conditions, especially the day it snowed. Watching them interact with the role players and deal with the scenarios given in mock towns that looked and sounded like those in the Middle East. Marines taking over the job of the RP when he was gone qualifying at the rifle range; guys were making sure everything was taken care of and that I wasn't getting into trouble and staying safe. Watching one company do some machine gun training. Getting to know my RP better. Staying the night in CONEX boxes and bombed out buildings. Sitting down under a tree having dinner with one of the corpsmen.

                                              Company preparing to move in the snow
                                           The church building in which we held one service.
                                              Some weapons training in the late afternoon.

Now it is time to get ready for going with the battalion off base for the next exercise and starting to figure out our ministry rotation while we are deployed.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Week in Review (10 Jan - 16 Jan 11)

So we had a short week due to snow down here by the coast.  Never thought I'd see three inches fall in three hours this far east in NC.

Monday was the first snow day.  The base had put everyone on a 2 hour delay.  I woke up and saw no snow so headed on in along with most of the officers in the battalion.  It started to sleet when I got to base but nothing was sticking, etc.  By 8:15 the snow had begun to stick and by 9am there was a good inch or so on the ground with a good amount coming down.  By then the based had closed for the day and the highway patrol was actually turning people away before they got to the gate.  Traffic to leave was backed up for at least 2 miles so I waited until the snow let up a bit and finally left around 1 before anybody got the idea to keep us on base for the night.  I did get some good admin done that day and we had some important battalion meetings as some of the senior people were headed out to do a site survey for deployment.

Tuesday was a snow day and we didn't have to go in.

Wednesday was a day of catching up and craziness with turning over the RP's (my assistant).  I got a new one who will work out well, we just need some time together to start working together well.  That should happen this week with our time in the field and getting the services ready.  Had a meeting with the acting division chaplain about a training I have created for teaching ethics in the battalion at the NCO level.  He likes what I have done and I will present it later this month to the rest of the division chaplains as one model for teaching ethics in our battalions.  I make no claims it will work in other divisions, but I know it is what my guys will take to.  I have confidence it will translate to any setting, but it also depends heavily on command buy in as well as the NCO buy in as the whole point is to put the ball in the hands of the NCO's because they have the biggest influence on the day to day life and routine of Marines.  I also had a guy request conscientious objector status.  Didn't expect that one in an infantry battalion.  After some discussion later in the day, he didn't want to make the formal application, but the request did force me to get to rapidly become an expert on the long process to declare one a CO.  It was quite the learning experience for me and the rest of the command. 

Thursday was another day of catching up and getting things ready for the field.  Me and the RP also had a lunch with the Marine Forces Command chaplain who wanted to talk with all the deploying chaplains and RP's to offer some advice.  It was good first hand experience from where we are going and got us out of the office for a time. That afternoon we went on liberty for the weekend until Tuesday morning.  They shifted the 96 hour liberty to the left a day so we would have a day to get final field preps done once we came back. 

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Week In Review (04 Jan - 09 Jan 2011)

So we finally got back after our holiday breaks and man did the pace pick up.  I knew it would, as we officially started the predeployment window of 6 months out last month, but with the holiday season, a lot of it had to start now. 

Monday was a day off as the break ended that evening so Tuesday began the first full day back.  That was a day full of briefs and meetings typical of a Monday for me.  It was really just a confirmation that the week would be busy and we needed to pile 11 pounds into a 5 pound sack.  We got the annual substance abuse training, but I have to admit that it wasn't too boring.  The drug reduction guy on base is extremely entertaining and as I saw later in the week, he has a way of connecting with junior Marines. 

Wednesday had two big meetings, etc.  The first was a combat policing training.  A retired LAPD officer who now works with the military in teaching gang policing techniques to Marines and soldiers provided the brief.  It was interesting to see the concept of reducing gang activity overlaid onto the situation in counterinsurgency operations.  The Marines really enjoyed the training and I even heard a few of the NCO's tell their junior Marines it was the best training they have ever been to in their careers.  The second meeting was our predeployment training cycle in brief.  Basically we met with the division and told them where we were in the process and how we plan to get to the deployment on time with all requirements completed and what help we need in getting there.

Thursday was a day full of annual training.  I like the way they try to get all the general military training requirements completed in one day instead of spacing it out over the year like I typically saw in the Navy.  This way you only use the man hours on one day instead of wasting it in scheduling throughout the year. 

Friday I made a introductory visit to our sister battalion whose main body is deployed.  We are responsible for their remain behind element so their OIC wanted me to make an introduction so they could see who the chaplain was that is covering them while their chaplain is forward with the battalion.  I also got called for a CACO drill that took a few hours to exercise the plan and it went well.  And then we had our normal officer training that afternoon at 1600 and then it was time to head out and get on the weekend so I could get in a long run and do some unpacking and cleaning around the house. 

Monday, January 3, 2011

Short Week in Review (28-29 December 2010)

So I only had to work two days last week in between the two 96 hour liberty periods that we got for the holidays.  They delayed going into base for two hours on Tuesday, but I wasn't sure it was real and went in anyways as well as my RP.  A few others were in early with most getting the message and coming in at 1000.  With most of the Marines on leave, the RP and I got a ton of admin completed in two days.  I had already scheduled some time to make myself available for dinner at the chow hall those days so there was a bit of extra time for me to get things done.  We got most of the planning for the next few months completed (as well as the paperwork to track said planning), RP's end of tour award is done and his eval is in routing.  I got an ethics seminar outline and a train the trainer outline completed as well as the liturgies for the January Field Exercise done.  We also got the kosher meals requests completed and made a visit to the school the battalion has adopted.  I finally got my office cleaned up and situated with the time to make that happen.  An important thing was done as I got my tactical vest put together and ready for use.  I still don't know why they give you a used vest that is taken apart and chance the fact we'd put it together wrong.  I don't think I'll get that much admin done in such a short time again, especially with required annual training happening this week, another shortened week as we don't have to be back to work until tomorrow.