A Bubblehead Chaplain

Uncomfortable with Vets

2012-02-19T13:14:00.005-08:00

I know it has been a long time since the last post, but I took some much needed time off work after the deployment and am now getting back into the swing of things. Work has returned with a vengeance, but is starting to settle down a bit and I hope to post at least every other week.

One thing I was asked to do at the end of last month was to speak to my Presbytery (they are the governing body of me as a minister) about what I do as a chaplain, how a chaplain ministers in combat and how churches can help out chaplains. I think this blog has covered the first two items over the last few months, mostly in order to provide a glimpse of life in Afghanistan to the families of 1/9, but I haven't really talked about the last item. Reflecting on the topic before the talk, I realized that chaplains really need to take the lead in speaking out on how to care for our service members who are deployed, combat or not. We have a unique inside angle on the spiritual needs of service members and sometimes we allow ourselves to stay fairly isolated from the larger faith community to which we belong. I realized that at times I also fall into this category and have forced myself to keep that from happening.

There is a distinct divide between those who serve and those who don't. I don't hold myself in greater esteem because I serve a unique congregation, but I think faith communities would do a better job supporting chaplains and their "flock" if they knew what we did and if we actually told them what support we needed. Sure, I could just rely on the military programs for helping my Marines and sailors, but I honestly believe that faith communities (regardless of their theology or beliefs) need to take a larger role in caring for those who have served.

Most congregations I have attended during my years on active duty talk about serving the military. But, they do so through care packages and prayer. I'm not discounting the need for these things. Personally, I am convinced the prayers of many people across the country played a role in my entire battalion making it home alive and with all their limbs. We had many close calls that I could never explain why those guys are still here with me today except through some divine plan I don't understand and probably never will. And care packages are vital for morale as they serve as tangible evidence they are not forgotten. Opening those boxes brings many smiles thousands of miles away. I would just ask churches to contact the receiving unit before sending something. When you send without knowing the needs, some stuff may end up in the burn pit.

In reflecting on the idea of what churches can do for those who serve in the military (and this would probably hold true for other groups who avoid church) is to allow themselves to feel uncomfortable. Uncomfortable sitting beside someone who may have killed in combat. Combat those in the congregation send into combat by the way. A congregation who is willing to sit with and come alongside that individual as they work out what they saw and did in combat. A congregation willing to enter into the murky and uncomfortable world of ethics in combat, what some have called "ethical warriors" or "noble warriors." A congregation that will listen in love and not judge them because they are in the military. Some may come seeking repentance for what they have seen and done. Some may say they have done nothing wrong. Both of them should be welcomed with open arms into our congregations. We say no sin is too large for God, we need to live that out. These conversations are messy, painful, uncomfortable, unruly. But they are beautiful, healing, at times joyful. I know as I have them on a regular basis and many of those conversations don't deal with combat related issues. I encounter more service members damaged from other aspects of society than their deployment to Afghanistan. Even an atheist in my battalion recognizes the need for somewhere for his young Marines to have these conversations.

Without a healthy and supportive environment to work through this discomfort, my Marines and sailors will seek unhealthy ways to navigate the issues. Chaplains are only in their lives for a short amount of time. I have only been in 1/9 for 16 months and almost half of them will be in other units by April. Churches, synagogues, mosques, etc can offer a stable long-term presence in the lives of my service members. Especially if a denomination embraces this call and no matter where they are stationed they can turn to a specific faith group for a loving community to be there if they are needed. If you are reading this and a member of a faith community I challenge you to go beyond prayer and care packages and invite your vets to discuss what needs they have.

I am more than willing to discuss this with anyone who wants to explore ways to provide such a community, regardless of your faith preference. Just drop me a line or discuss freely in the comments.

What I Will Miss About Afghanistan

2012-01-19T18:23:00.000-08:00

I originally planned to sit down and provide the list of things that made Afghanistan a place to visit and what won't ever leave my memory soon after the last post. However, work got busy and I haven't forced myself to sit down and provide the 2nd half of the first post. So here goes:

1) The People: The majority of Afghans I met are amazing people doing their best to survive and really just want people to leave them alone. They are resilient and will thrive if given the chance. It is my prayer that the sliver of freedom they glimpse through our work takes hold and they run with it and design a way of life that works for them while allowing their natural gifts to flourish. I have many memories of conversations over tea with smiles as well as meeting the children when out and about.

2) Children: Regardless of where you go, kids will always be kids. They are the same everywhere. It was so much easier to communicate with them despite the language differences because you just knew what they wanted. They were rarely shy about coming up and interacting with us and their presence really helped most of the guys realize why they were sent 7000 miles from home.

3) The Food: I ate some of the most amazing food I have tasted overseas. While the meals were always pretty much the same of chicken, rice, bread and fruit it was always sumptuous. The spice they use for the chicken is wonderful and the bread is highly sought after with many Marines buying that whenever they had the chance. And the fruit convinced me that local, organic produce is the way to live. The produce came from close by and was grown with natural fertilizer with a taste much better than what I usually obtain in a store.

4) The Marines: Serving as a chaplain in a combat zone is a special honor and I am glad to have been given that responsibility. It was a once in a lifetime chance to really be with the infantry. I can't fully describe the respect and love I have for my Marines and sailors and they will always hold a special place in my heart. They endured so much for each other and for people they didn't really know and I hope the experience changed them in a positive way as much as myself.

There are many other things I will miss, but I don't want to ramble on and on. Plus, I have to work on a presentation for my Presbytery for next weekend. I get to speak to church leaders about what chaplains do and how they can assist us as we minister to service members.

What I Won't Miss About Afghanistan

2011-12-27T17:42:00.000-08:00

So as I can now do some reflection on the last 7 months, I can say there are definitely things I won't miss about being in Afghanistan (in no particular order):

1) Gravel: The military puts this on almost every square inch of our positions and it makes walking difficult. I am so glad to walk on solid ground that doesn't move with each step I make. I never realized how much I appreciated walking on grass or concrete. This also makes running difficult and I had to reduce the frequency of my running outside due to the gravel and how it was tearing up my feet. It felt so good to run on the road the other day.

2) Military Plane Travel: It just sucks. Waiting at least 6 hours in a terminal for a crowded flight either on a C-17 or a run down charter plane. The wait is painful and for my flights in and out of the US on old charter planes where we had less room than a commercial airline made the wait even more depressing. Some guys get to fly back on commercial name brand carriers, but I didn't have that luxury this time. I think it will be a long time before I complain about commercial air travel as I now know just how bad a flight can get.

3) Dust: Not sand but dust as fine as baby powder. It is called "moon dust" by the military because of its consistency. A slight wind and it gets everywhere and then all travel shuts down. You just can't get and stay clean out there. I have a new idea of what dirty really is and missing a shower for a while doesn't bother me anymore.

4) The Military Industrial Complex: While I didn't reside on one of the large bases, it was completely disgusting to see what all our tax money pays for in country. Millions upon millions of dollars for gravel that isn't really necessary. Coffee shops at the large bases. In a combat zone. Thousands of civilians from odd countries to maintain all the larger positions and do things such as cleaning that the Marines and sailors can do on their own just like at the smaller positions. Chow halls that aren't necessary. We blow so much money on things that aren't necessary in combat. In a recession this is just unacceptable, especially when we could use that money for projects in the country. It takes so much pain and frustration to approve a road project, unless you want to pave some road at a large base. And I never went to the really large places such as Bagram, Leatherneck or Kabul. I can't imagine how my head would have spun there.

Just a few things I won't miss about Afghanistan. I'll post on what I miss and I guess that list might be a bit larger as it was a great experience overall.

Home Sweet Home

2011-12-27T17:36:00.001-08:00

We are all finally back in NC. I arrived at Cherry Point at 0230 on Christmas morning and then it took 5 hours to get the bags unloaded, drive to Camp Lejeune and then get all the weapons turned in before we met the families and everyone else waiting for us at 0730. It was a great Christmas present for us all and I am glad to be back.

I went into work today to drop some stuff off and check in. Tomorrow thing start back up with a regular schedule. I kind of like the Navy way of ending a deployment. You pull in and then go on leave as soon as everything is settled with the return. The Marines do it a bit differently. I got one day off and then some today as I didn't go in until the afternoon, but I still will have the rest of the week as work days and then after the new year we have more days of classes and stuff and the battalion doesn't get its leave block until January 11th. Makes it feel less like a deployment and more like a long field operation.

But, the most important thing about our return. EVERYONE MADE IT HOME! No KIA during the deployment and I find that impressive with all the fire fights and IEDs we encountered in 7 months. That speaks volumes to the Marines and their leaders over the deployment. We had many close calls but everyone made it back alive and no one lost any limbs. There are still some Marines in the hospital due to injuries, but again they all came back in one piece. Thanks to all who prayed for 1/9 the last few months.

Goodbye Geronimo

2011-12-15T03:49:00.000-08:00

So I am writing this from Camp Dwyer. I left FOB Geronimo late last night/early this morning when the helicopter came in from the darkness to take us away from our home for the last seven months. It was a bittersweet moment as I have really enjoyed my time deployed with an amazing group of Marines and sailors. I know that this will probably be the one and only time I get to deploy in combat with an infantry battalion and will truly miss the experience. It is one that has shaped me and my ministry for the rest of my life. I could fill many posts and pages reflecting on the deployment and the last 14 months with the Marines and sailors of 1/9.

Now I get to stay here at Camp Dwyer and give them their last required brief before leaving Afghanistan. It is nice to spend the last few minutes with them at the air terminal here as they are full of smiles at the prospect of hitching a ride to Manas (0n what they call a "Freedom Bird") and then onto the US when their next plane shows up. Today was the overwhelming majority of H&S company who are now at Manas. I look forward to seeing the others as they flow into and out of Dwyer and am personally starting to realize this is all ending in the rapid future (though I don't think it will fully hit me until I am in the line on the tarmac for the flight out of here).

Hopefully I will post some more before I leave as I have a lot of dead time right now, which is a new experience. By the time I finally get back to NC I will have been in the field for a total of right around 300 days this calendar year. I hope I find some hobbies to fill a the time I have coming up. I know there is some travel, including a trip to Whistler, in my future but it will seem odd to have 30+ days of a light work load.

For the 1/9 families, your Marines and sailors have done an amazing job out here and you have every right to beam with pride for their work. This deployment has affected each of them (in a positive way I hope) and I think they will be better for the experience. I do know they are eagerly looking forward to getting home and getting some much deserved rest.

A First Visit With the Press

2011-11-28T17:22:00.000-08:00

So, it was a busy week besides the whole Thanksgiving thing. For those that don't have access to my Facebook page, I got interviewed by a USMC Public Affairs Officer a few weeks ago and that video made it onto Armed Forces Network, Youtube, etc. And last Monday night I had an interview with the hometown paper of my parents. I'll include all the links in this post.

This first one is the initial raw video:

The next is the final product:

That led to this interview in the paper:
http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/16540107/article-Thanksgiving-in-Afghanistan-?instance=main_article

So, for those of you who have seen or read the above, I apologize but this is the first time I've been interviewed like this and am taking full advantage of showing off.

And for all the 1/9 families, the guys are really starting to get excited about coming home in the near future. They spend more time smiling than not right now as their excitement and happiness are rising exponentially.

Happy Birthday USMC

2011-11-10T17:56:00.000-08:00

As I write this, the birthday has passed but it is still November 10th back home. I have to say that it was an honor to spend a birthday with the USMC in Afghanistan (You can find it on Youtube). No other service puts so much into celebrating who and what they are. The video message produced by the Marine Corps was motivational and, while each of the three cake cutting ceremonies varied slightly each was special and full of motivation and meaning. Most people don't really care about their individual birthdays. I had one out here and let it pass unnoticed. Even most of the sister services don't really mark the day as special when they reach another year in the books. Marines show why Marines are special each day out here, but on November 10th every year regardless of where they are, they remember why they are America's elite service and force in readiness for the President.

I had a great time getting out to see most of the battalion today to wish them a happy birthday and was impressed with the ceremonies. For the families of 1/9 there is a new album on the Facebook page full of photos from today. And for all the veterans out there, Thank You for the proud legacy you have left for those of us who follow you and stand on your shoulders.

Continuing to Help Afghanistan

2011-10-28T18:54:00.000-07:00

I know many of you who occasionally stop by here to read have also been sending care packages to the guys of 1/9 or school supplies out for the Afghan children. And the response has been nothing short of amazing. As we approach our mail cutoff date on Tuesday (01 November), I ask that you consider continuing to send out school supplies. Just to a different address.

Out here in Afghanistan, the Marines have sent out small teams of females to base out of selected positions and go on patrols with the infantry Marines. These groups of women are called Female Engagement Teams or FET for short. We have two of these teams in our expansive area and there are many more throughout the larger area in which we work. These women have a natural ability for women and children to come up and talk with them. Women won't talk with the male Marines and the kids just naturally gravitate to the female Marines. One thing that allows is for them to carry school supplies and small stuffed animals with them on patrol and pass them out. We have given some supplies to the FET when we travel to help them in their mission.

The platoon commander for all of the larger area in which we work, contacted me the other day and asked if I could arrange for some school supplies, stuffed animals, etc to be sent to her as we are heading out soon. This is a great way to continue to help the Afghans as 1/9 begins to head back to the States and it will help the Marines that come after us and those with whom we have worked beside the last few months.

If you have any desire to continue to help the FET do their work, please send out some school supplies to the address below. I would ask that you only send pencils, colored pencils, crayons, erasers, rulers, notebooks, notebook paper, flash cards, coloring books, small stuffed animals, toys, etc. Please DO NOT send things such as markers, mechanical pencils, pens, glue sticks or bottles of glue. Those things have a chance of being turned into something harmful to the Marines out here. If you send something to Lt Hammond, include an email address or some way for her to contact you and she should be able to let you know what she is in more need of after sending a first package.

1st Lt Hammond
RCT-5 HQ Co, S-3 FET
Unit 40305
FPO AP 96427-0305

These women do great work out here and really help out the infantry Marines and it would be wonderful for all of you who have sent these supplies to 1/9 to continue to support another worthy group of Marines in the work they do.

Notes From Afghanistan Part 7

2011-10-10T19:05:00.001-07:00

It rained yesterday. Not a drizzle type of rain but a full on thunderstorm that continued for most of the morning and has returned again today. We had been told the rainy season begins in December, so the rain was a bit of a surprise, though a pleasant one. One Marine commented on how the rain made everything smell and feel clean around here. I kind of have to agree with him. It smelled and felt like a walk through some woods back home in the springtime. It has left a lot of mud to deal with over the next few days as well as showed us some leaks in the chapel and other buildings and tents. But, it was different and unexpected and it showed us we are close to leaving as the rainy season should signify our exit from Afghanistan.

It was also a means to break the monotony around here. At times it feels like groundhog day. We fall into the same routine day after day and the rain forced us to stay inside a bit more or change our routines in other ways for the day which was a refreshing way to snap us out of our current ruts. Something we could all benefit and learn from as we head back and will get into different ruts and routines back home.

The guys continue to do well out here and are looking forward to going home. That is the #1 topic of conversation during my visits with them. They are dreaming about their first meal upon return to the states and what they plan to do while on post-deployment leave (most have a plan to do nothing for a few days or weeks). I just wonder what they will remember about this deployment.

Final Care Package Request List

2011-10-05T18:58:00.000-07:00

First off thanks for all the support for the Marines and sailors of 1/9. We are quickly approaching the end of our time out here which means a mail cutoff date is looming. I am assuming that date will be on 01 November which means this is the last time I will post anything asking for care packages. We are sitting good on items right now but want to still get some in to set up the next unit once they arrive for about a month's worth of stuff so they are good until their mail begins to arrive. Again thanks for all you have done for 1/9 over the last 6 months. The stuff gets used quickly and is greatly appreciated.

Care Package Needs October 2011
The ones in bold are especially needed right now
Afghan Children: We received a huge amount of supplies and are doing a good job trying to get them out. We'll take any more that you send, but I think they will be good for a few months.
Marines:
Socks (Brown, Green, Black, White)
Foot Powder
Razors (We are especially low on these)
Bars of Soap
Single toothbrushes
Shampoo
Deodorant (Now that it won't completely melt during shipment)
Body Wash
Candy (Jolly Ranchers, Starburst, Werther’s, Twizzlers, BlowPops) This gets to the kids as well
Beef Jerky
Drink Mix (Single packets of Propel, Propel Zero, Crystal Light, Gatorade, Kool Aid, Coffee, Tea, etc)
Baby Wipes
Gum
Chex Mix, Trail Mix
Granola Bars
Sunscreen
Hand Lotion
Food spices, flavorings and condiments
Tuna Packages

Notes From Afghanistan Part 6

2011-09-16T18:58:00.000-07:00

Again, it has taken a bit of time to actually sit down and update this thing with what is going on out here. If they would only let me access this from a government computer I might actually get to do it more often. But that would take an excuse away from why I am slow at updating. Being stuck at an outlying position waiting for a flight or ride back has given me a decent amount of time so I figured I'd get on an MWR computer and post a quick update.

Since the last post Ramadan has ended and we saw September 11th come and go. Eid out here was interesting with people traveling all over the place and celebratory gunfire from the locals each of the three nights. It was an eye-opening experience to be in a Muslim country for both Ramadan and Eid. And apparently there is another Eid in November which is affectionately known as "Big Eid" from our linguists. I can't imagine how much of a party this one day will be.

RP and I continue to travel around seeing the guys and they are all doing well. We recently attended the "soft opening" of a school out here. I say soft because it seems that we always do some big event twice. The first time a few people show up almost to make sure we really planned on doing what we said when we said. That results in a true event a few days later after the local elder goes out and tells everyone that we mean what we say and will be there. At first I thought it was an issue of mistrust, but I actually think it is ingrained into the culture as often as it happens and as widespread it is across villages and districts out here.

We had another run at the FOB on September 11th in conjunction with the Chicago 1/2 Marathon and 5K. This time 123 people showed up to run a 5K (actually 3.4 miles) that morning and it was enjoyed by all. I am amazed that running in the morning would be such a hit out here and continues to be the thing I arrange that actually draws people out to participate. I think it has something to do with the fact that we get a chance to feel like we are back home for the few minutes that we are running with numbers attached to our chests. Hopefully we can get one more done before we head back home.

Both RP and I are approaching a milestone in that we have our Fleet Marine Force boards scheduled for this week (if we ever get back to the FOB). This is a qualification program to demonstrate we have grasped the many aspects of the USMC mission and its history. It takes quite a while and is a requirement for RP while stationed with a FMF unit and I wanted to get it done to do some in depth learning about what my Marines do, etc. All we need is to get back and make our scheduled boards. A few prayers that we can get back would be appreciated.

Care Package Request List for September 2011

2011-09-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

Being stuck at a remote post has a few benefits, one of which is updating the blog when I get a chance to hit an MWR computer center.

Care Package Needs September 2011
The ones in bold are especially needed right now
Afghan Children: We received a huge amount of supplies and are doing a good job trying to get them out. We'll take any more that you send, but I think they will be good for a few months.
Marines:
Socks (Brown, Green, Black, White)
Foot Powder
Razors (We are especially low on these)
Bars of Soap
Single toothbrushes
Shampoo
Deodorant (Now that it won't completely melt during shipment)
Body Wash
Candy (Jolly Ranchers, Starburst, Werther’s, Twizzlers, BlowPops) This gets to the kids as well
Beef Jerky
Drink Mix (Single packets of Propel, Propel Zero, Crystal Light, Gatorade, Kool Aid, Coffee, Tea, etc)
Baby Wipes
Gum
Chex Mix, Trail Mix
Granola Bars
Sunscreen
Hand Lotion
Food spices, flavorings and condiments
Tuna Packages

Chapel and Chaplain:

Letters from children to decorate the chapel and dining halls
Syrup
Chex Mix-Turtle and Honey Nut Flavors
Anything you want to send from the above lists. If I don’t use it, it will get put in the general pot.

I thank you ahead of time for anything you send and I am truly grateful for everyone who has already sent packages. RP and I try to reply to each group of packages you send, but if we forget to send an email once we get the packages I do apologize as we get pulled in many different directions. The packages are used and appreciated by the Marines and sailors we have in our area. And what we don't use during our deployment will be used to set up the incoming unit with an initial supply of stuff until their mail begins to arrive in country.

Mail Any packages to:
Chaplain Russ Ferguson
1/9 H Co S-1
Unit 74095
FPO AE 09510-4095

Notes From Afghanistan Part 5

2011-08-27T02:46:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a while since describing what is going on out here, but we have been busy and the powers that be blocked all the blogger sites on government computers so I had to find time to get to the MWR tent to post. I don't know what made them change their minds, but such is life out here.

Since the last update, RP and I have traveled extensively to the companies to see the guys. We have also hosted a few different chaplains in the area showing them around to show off the Marines and sailors and all the good work they are doing out here. One of the visitors was a Navy chaplain who happens to be Muslim. He was out here for Ramadan. While he was here we got to attend an Iftar meal where they break the fast in the evening. It was great watching a friend live out his faith in a country predominately of his faith. He led the Iftar meal and the prayers that evening. He also was provided the opportunity to talk with the local mullahs and elders about Islam and how he lives out his faith in a pluralistic environment. The local leaders were rapt with attention at what he said and seemed to appreciate him making the visit to Nawa. It was also great for me to catch up with an old friend and see Ramadan from his perspective. It should end in the next few days so I am excited about seeing the national party that will go for about a week out here.

With school coming up, we have been busy getting school supplies ready. RP and I just had a truckload of supplies picked up by the Afghan Army to give out during Eid. They were overwhelmed and surprised with the support from people back in the States to give so generously to the children out here. And, after we gave them all those supplies we got about 15 more boxes worth yesterday. I spent this morning getting those ready for distribution. We'll pass those out next month as we get out in the villages. We also received some soccer balls and stuffed animals for the kids as well.

Well, that is it for now. I have only a few minutes left here at the computer so I am looking forward to another busy month out here with more traveling and being out there with my guys. I can't believe it has already been 3 1/2 months since we left which means we are approaching our half way point. It seems like only yesterday that we got out here. I guess time really does fly when you are having fun. I am actually starting to realize how much I will miss being out here as well as my time deployed with an infantry battalion. I need to figure out how to swing another deployment before they transfer me in 2013.

Care Package Requests for August

2011-08-14T01:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry it is almost mid-month again before getting this out. We were busy getting out and about with the Marines, which I love doing as it gets me off the FOB. I have updated this based on what the guys are asking for and what we are running low on.

Care Package Needs July 2011

The ones in bold are especially needed right now

Afghan Children: School starts here in September, so we're trying to get the supplies early
Coloring Books—Culturally appropriate-Animals, etc
Shoes, Sandals, etc
Crayons
Colored Pencils(Solid Wood kind)
Pencils(Solid Wood kind)
Notebooks and Paper
Soccer Balls (Deflated)
Kick balls (Deflated)
Clothing (Winter type to hand out after Ramadan)

Marines:

Socks (Brown, Green, Black, White)
Foot Powder
Razors (We are especially low on these)
Bars of Soap
Single toothbrushes
Horseshoes
Shampoo
Deodorant (Now that it won't completely melt during shipment)
Body Wash
Candy (Jolly Ranchers, Starburst, Werther’s, Twizzlers, BlowPops) This gets to the kids as well
Beef Jerky
Drink Mix (Single packets of Propel, Propel Zero, Crystal Light, Gatorade, Kool Aid, Coffee, Tea, etc)
Baby Wipes
Gum
Chex Mix, Trail Mix
Granola Bars
Sunscreen
Hand Lotion
Food spices, flavorings and condiments
Tuna Packages

Chapel and Chaplain:

Letters from children to decorate the chapel and dining halls
Pancake Mix (Just add water kind only)—Will try to do pancake dinners in the field
Syrup
Chex Mix-Turtle and Honey Nut Flavors

Anything you want to send from the above lists. If I don’t use it, it will get put in the general pot

If anyone can spare the cost of shipping, the guys are really asking about horseshoes. I don't have that many sets and all they really need are the horseshoes, we have plenty of stakes and other items to create the pits for them to play with.

I thank you ahead of time for anything you send and I am truly grateful for everyone who has already sent packages. RP and I try to reply to each group of packages you send, but if we forget to send an email once we get the packages I do apologize as we get pulled in many different directions. The packages are used and appreciated by the Marines and sailors we have in our area.

Mail Any packages to:

Chaplain Russ Ferguson
1/9 H Co S-1
Unit 74095
FPO AE 09510-4095

Thank You

2011-08-09T04:40:00.000-07:00

Two thank yous need to be said:

(This is a good example of what we receive in care packages each and every week. Sometimes twice a week.)

First, I haven't said this in a large public manner yet. Many of you who send us care packages get emails expressing our gratitude as I get the information and time to sit down and write. We get anywhere from 15-50 packages a week and it keeps RP quite busy sorting through the packages so we can get the stuff out to the companies as well as keeping track of who is sending us stuff so we know who to write emails to. I mostly write emails back as it takes about 6 weeks for mail to make it back to the states. Some of you I don't have addresses for, so I wanted to take a moment and thank you for everything you provide the Marines and sailors of 1/9. They are never short of toiletries (though not always getting the brands they prefer) or snack food. While we rarely are there when the care package items arrive at the locations, we do know the stuff goes quickly as the large boxes we send (hold about 40-50 large flat rate boxes) are empty by the time we get to the company positions. Please keep the love coming and know that the guys and gals (we have some females attached to us at times) appreciate all you send.

The second thank you is another one to the USO. They do a great job bringing out people to entertain the Marines and sailors. While not every position can benefit from the visits, the fact they are aggressive in getting people out here speaks volumes to their dedication to those deployed out here. This is my fourth deployment (first in a combat zone) and I had not experienced the USO until this one. The first show wasn't really up my alley, but the second trip wasn't even a show. It was John Stewart, David Blaine and Karl Malone showing up to talk with the guys and sign autographs, etc. I was amazed at how attentive each of these individuals were in just sitting down and talking with the guys. Those conversations with people who just two days prior had been in the States made a huge positive impact on the morale of those they met. David Blaine even freaked everyone out with some card tricks and had John Stewart jumping up out of his chair a few times. I am forever grateful for those who support the USO and those celebrities that take of their time to fly out here and just talk with those who are deployed. A special thanks to John Stewart who flew out on a Thursday night/Friday morning, flew back to the States on Sunday and was back at work on Monday. And he gave FOB Geronimo a shout out on the show.

Notes From Afghanistan Part 4

2011-07-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

I don't realize just how busy my life is out here until I see how infrequently I am posting and updating people back home. I rarely get a block of time to sit at the computer and compose some thoughts and when I do get a good chunk of time I am usually on Facebook for the sole purpose of posting photos for the families of my Marines and sailors. And on the slow connections we have out here it takes about an hour for every 10-15 photos.

So, it seems I haven't posted in over a month about what is going on out here and the last time I posted while I was at Camp Dwyer for a conference. And as it would happen I am posting again not from Camp Dwyer, but back at Geronimo after the most recent conference I attended. It has been quite a busy month, especially seeing how we have had two other chaplains come out for a visit, one to check in on me and see how I am doing and the other was the Catholic priest to come out and provide mass for the Catholics in the battalion. He did a great job and I received nothing but positive feedback from the guys that attended his services. The priest held 5 services in one day amidst traveling all around the area to visit every company position so all would have a chance to take in a service if possible. It was during that trip, because I was focused on making sure a fellow chaplain could visit all my guys, that I realized just how much chaplains accomplish each day. Plus, I am looking at my calendar for this month and am amazed at the lack of white space due to the travel schedule for myself and the RP.

We finally got out to Alpha Company, who are working for another battalion, and spent a few days there to visit and check in on the guys. Hopefully the schedule allows for that to become a routine monthly occurrence. They, like all the other guys, are doing well and are doing good things in their area though they may not fully appreciate the good they accomplish each day. The companies around here also continue to impress and the other chaplains who visit remark on their spirits and their professionalism.

Part of my job lately has been to provide Ramadan awareness training for all the Marines and sailors, especially as I travel anyways it made sense for me to give that training. I am looking forward to seeing how the Afghans observe the upcoming holy month and am confident that I will learn a great deal about their culture from watching them observe Ramadan. I have already learned a great deal through providing the training and talking with Muslims about the holiday and what all that entails and how it affects them each year. It has been eye opening living so immersed in another culture, it makes me think that I am on less of a deployment and more of a long-term full immersion mission trip. Especially as my eyes have become wide open to the humanitarian need out here.

One thought before I go: I am amazed and humbled by the generosity of the American public. We are constantly receiving care packages in the mail. The last two mail drops have included about 45 packages each time for the general use of the battalion. I am doing all I can to get them out to the companies as soon as we can find space on the convoys because I will run out of room if we don't. For those who have sent stuff, thank you so much as what you send gets to us right as we need those items and it keeps the supply fresh and flowing out to the men.

Care Package Request List for July 2011

2011-07-10T22:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry it is almost mid-month before getting this out. We were busy sorting the love you have sent us already as well as getting out and about with the Marines and getting the Peachtree Road Race set up, etc. I have updated this based on what the guys are asking for and what we are running low on.

Care Package Needs July 2011

The ones in bold are especially needed right now

Afghan Children: School starts here in September, so we're trying to get the supplies early
Coloring Books—Culturally appropriate-Animals, etc
Text Books (English and Math)
Any kind of study aids
Shoes
Socks
Crayons
Colored Pencils(Solid Wood kind)
Pencils(Solid Wood kind)
Notebooks and Paper
Backpacks
Soccer Balls (Deflated)
Kick balls (Deflated)

Marines:

Socks (Brown, Green, Black)
Foot Powder
Razors (We are especially low on these)
Horseshoes
Shampoo
Body Wash
Candy (Jolly Ranchers, Starburst, Werther’s, Twizzlers, BlowPops) This gets to the kids as well
Beef Jerky
Drink Mix (Single packets of Propel, Propel Zero, Crystal Light, Gatorade, Kool Aid, Coffee, Tea, etc)
Baby Wipes
Gum
Chex Mix, Trail Mix
Granola Bars
Sunscreen
Hand Lotion
Food spices, flavorings and condiments
Tuna Packages

Chapel and Chaplain:

Letters from children to decorate the chapel and dining halls
Pancake Mix (Just add water kind only)—Will try to do pancake dinners in the field
Syrup
Chex Mix-Turtle and Honey Nut Flavors

Anything you want to send from the above lists. If I don’t use it, it will get put in the general pot

If anyone can spare the cost of shipping, the guys are really asking about horseshoes. I don't have that many sets and all they really need are the horseshoes, we have plenty of stakes and other items to create the pits for them to play with.

I thank you ahead of time for anything you send and I am truly grateful for everyone who has already sent packages. RP and I try to reply to each group of packages you send, but if we forget to send an email once we get the packages I do apologize as we get pulled in many different directions. The packages are used and appreciated by the Marines and sailors we have in our area.

Mail Any packages to:

Chaplain Russ Ferguson
1/9 H Co S-1
Unit 74095
FPO AE 09510-4095

Peachtree in Afghanistan

2011-07-05T07:53:00.000-07:00

Participants lined up at the start of the race (Photo taken by one of our civilian contractors)

In my short time here with the Marines and Sailors of 1/9 I have been looking for something that would really spark their interest. We planned a Superbowl party this past February with limited attendance, despite offering alcohol (and designated drivers and a duty van). We get little to no interest in other activities we plan to take their minds off the job and give them a bit of a break from the grind of being Marines. Until yesterday. There are about 400 or so Marines, Sailors and civilians on our FOB. We had 100 register to run the Peachtree Road Race yesterday morning. Who would have guessed that the best attended event of the chaplain would be a 6.8 mile (our loop didn’t permit the normal 10k distance) run, at 0530, in the heat of July, in Afghanistan. It amazes me that the guys turned out in such numbers for a race. I was completely surprised. It must have been the idea that for an hour or so they were able to get off the FOB and be in unison with people in Atlanta in running a 10K with 60,000 other people.

The race organizers at the Peachtree are simply amazing. I have run the event in Atlanta four times previously and enjoyed each one of them. I remembered a few years ago that they were honoring those serving overseas by allowing them the opportunity to run the race while deployed. So, in March I started doing some research to see if they still offered that deal to the guys. The website doesn’t advertise the program, so I was worried it was a one time deal at the beginning of our involvement over here. I decided to call the office and see if they still had that program. And boy do they still have the program. They mailed me 150 race numbers specially made for those serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait along with 150 shirts of varying sizes instead of one or two sizes (which the guys really appreciated), and a 14.5 foot banner (now hanging in our MWR tent) which was identical to the start banner with the addition of “Afghanistan Division” in the lower center portion.

All of that came in a few weeks ago and I was sworn to secrecy about the shirts and told we couldn’t post any photos until after the race had begun in Atlanta. This wasn’t hard as very few people have permission to post photos from over here. I started taking names earlier in the week and it was going slow at first and then the momentum built up to the 100 that ran it yesterday. We got placed some water on the course but I didn’t need to as some of the contractors that work in the chow hall took it upon themselves to pass out water to those running. And we had another group out there for the hour or so cheering guys along on the run. Two civilians stayed out on the course taking photos of the guys running. Marines that didn’t run were also poking their heads out of offices and tents talking with the runners and taking photos. One other highlight was that I called into the race start line at 0530 our time which was 2100 Atlanta time and they started the race for us on Peachtree Street. A retired Army officer gave me the countdown and they fired a starting gun and I heard some loud cheering in the background. They took some photos of that start and will email them to us. They also mentioned that CNN was filming the start as well. Everything that the people of the Peachtree did as well as the support from those not running gave this the feel of a major race and for an hour we were running the streets of Atlanta.

What I've Learnned About Freedom in Afghanistan

2011-07-03T01:21:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow being the 4th of July, I have done some reflecting on what it means to have freedom and what that really looks like. Living out here has shown me a great deal that I may never be able to fully articulate. One thing that has struck me while out here is the idea of freedom and how we may miss what it really means back home. Out here we are truly seeing it in action. I know that there may not be as much “action” as many had hoped for out here. Personally, I’m just fine with that. I don’t need a Combat Action Ribbon or a Purple Heart to prove this was a worthwhile deployment. I think the mission we have allows us to really see freedom start to take hold in a country that hasn’t known it for a long time. This is something that is hard to communicate to young Marines, but I am trying my best to open their eyes to the importance of looking for places to crack the door on freedom just a bit.

We tend to take our freedoms in America for granted because most of us have spent our entire lives in America and enjoy the freedoms that are guaranteed by the Constitution and defended by people such as the Walking Dead. Sometimes this allows us to overlook what freedom truly looks like. Out here our main job is to provide a bit of breathing room for people to experience freedom for the first time. And we see it in what we would consider simple and ordinary actions. But, those things are huge steps here in Afghanistan.

The individuals who don the uniforms of the Army or Police out here have taken a huge gamble that they and their families will remain safe. People target them specifically to make an example of what happens when you choose freedom over a regime of terror. They have made a choice in their new freedom to extend that freedom to their fellow Afghan citizens. The linguists that allow us to communicate on patrols and in shuras have made similar choices and want to see freedom of choice spread among this country. Some of these linguists may never be able to return home for fear of retribution. The religious leaders of the Afghan military are looking for ways to allow for a freedom of religion, something that the Muslim faith holds in high regard, to take hold in this country after 30 plus years of intolerance. Girls are going to school for the first time in a generation despite the possibility that their school may be destroyed because a minority of people feels they don’t deserve an education.

Most Marines would say this wasn’t their ideal adventure in Afghanistan, the adventure of helping a people discover and cultivate the freedoms we take for granted is an adventure that will provide stories for a lifetime. It will also provide mental images that will never leave them such as the smile on a child’s face going to school, when I saw a young girl clutching her school books and full of excitement coming home from another day at school. Members of the Afghan Army and Police force paying such minute attention to the Marines such as a younger brother does to the older, wiser siblings. As we celebrate July 4th and the courage of our nation’s founding fathers to make a difficult choice and pledge their sacred honor for freedom and liberty, look for the many signs of budding freedom in this country. You might have to look beyond the nightly news as I know that the stories of everyday Afghans gets set aside for the death counts. Help encourage people back home and those you know overseas to make more room for that freedom to grow and change this country into something amazing and unique.

I won’t lie, I had questions about what we are doing over here before we left, and to an extent I still do but on a different level. I want us to do so much more and we can to help a people who want freedom to make choices about them and their families. The people over here aren’t much different from us and have the same hopes and fears for their lives and the lives of those they love. It took time for freedom to take hold in America after the Declaration of Independence. And it took even longer for other countries to recognize the freedom that we offered. It took the US 13 years to draft a form of government that we all agreed on and we have been changing it for the last 235 years. It will take time over here as well. We have to look past our instant gratification culture and understand that something that will last over here will take many more years before there is a stable foundation. But I am convinced that it will be worth it and that the majority of Afghans long for a stable foundation to rebuild their lives and country on after 30+ years of war.

Notes from Afghanistan Part 3

2011-06-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

This past week was another busy chapter in our lives out here in Afghanistan. We spent most of the week at one of the remote company positions visiting with the Marines out there. While remote, they have some pretty good amenities and it was nice to spend a long block of time in one place. We then went to a shura (a meeting of local leaders) where they talked about religious tolerance and how to live as a more religiously tolerant country. I didn't have a translator near me, so I didn't understand much but at one point a local mullah (basically a preacher) got up and delivered a fire and brimstone style talk to the shura. I didn't get what he was saying, but that he was fired up and angry about something. You can recognize that style of preaching no matter what culture you are in. Apparently, he was giving a tongue lashing to the need to keep Pakistan out of the business of Afghanistan according to what I was told by those who had a translator nearby.

We then went to the main camp in the area, Camp Dwyer, where I am now for another shura this time between the chaplains in the area and our counterparts in the Afghan National Army. It has been a good time so far, but I am looking forward to when we leave and I get back with my Marines. I'm not a fan of doing things as a chaplain away from them. Though I am not looking forward to the drive back. The roads out here are horrible and it will be a long time before I complain about roads back in the US. The drives out here are mind jarring with no break in the rough terrain.

I am continually struck by the people as we drive around the countryside out here. They are for the most part friendly and want to talk with us and engage with the Marines as they patrol. RP and I got out to a medical outreach in one village this past week and it was nice to talk with the kids and a local doctor and learn about how they do medicine, etc. I think that if more people were to actually see Afghanistan on a day to day basis, we would pump more humanitarian aid into the country and the people back home would have a better understanding of what we are accomplishing out here and why it is important for us to still be in here large numbers. When given the space to live out their lives, Afghans are courageous and will do what it takes to make their country better for them and their families, not much different than the US.

Notes From Afghanistan Part 2

2011-06-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

Last week was a busy week for the RP and myself. We held our first service as the Religious Ministry team on Sunday the 5th and haven't really let off the gas since. I did the invocation for the Turnover of Authority ceremony on Tuesday and we immediately went out to visit one of the companies for a few nights. We got back on Thursday and then on Friday headed back out to visit another company coming back in on Saturday night, just in time to get ready for the meetings and services on Sunday. And now we are back out with another company for a few nights. Right now I am doing part of my duty as chaplain and posting photos on Facebook for the families to see their Marines and give them a small glimpse into what is going on out here.

We got our first batch of mail and care packages last Sunday, though I know there are many more still at Camp Dwyer. We are supposed to get another batch on Thursday so that means a bit of work for RP and I to get them all sorted this weekend so we can get the stuff organized and ready to ship out to the companies as soon as we get room on a convoy. And it seems that all we do is ride around on convoys from one place to another. I am keeping track of the number of convoys and am curious to see how many I will end up riding in by the end of our deployment.

Yesterday afternoon I got to see my first ever USO show. Four deployments later I finally get to see one. This is definitely one positive change from being on a submarine for deployments previously. It was a group of three female comedians who flew out to our FOB to do a show and then flew right back out to another location. They were pretty good and it was nice to have a bit of a live comedy routine to liven up the day.

Care Package Requests for June 2011

2011-06-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

I now have a better idea of what we have from the previous unit and what we need for not only the Marines but also for the Afghan people we are here to serve. Any of the regular readers who want to drop some stuff in the mail or pass this list and address along would be greatly appreciated.

Care Package Needs June 2011

The ones in bold are especially needed right now

Afghan Children: School starts here in September, so we're trying to get the supplies early
Coloring Books—Culturally appropriate-Animals, etc
Text Books (English and Math)
Any kind of study aids
Shoes
Socks
Crayons
Colored Pencils(Solid Wood kind)
Pencils(Solid Wood kind)
Notebooks and Paper
Backpacks
Soccer Balls (Deflated)
Kick balls (Deflated)

Marines:

Socks (Brown, Green, Black)
Foot Powder
Razors (We are especially low on these)
Shampoo
Body Wash
Candy (Jolly Ranchers, Starburst, Werther’s, Twizzlers, BlowPops) This gets to the kids as well
Beef Jerky
Drink Mix (Single packets of Propel, Propel Zero, Gatorade, Kool Aid, Coffee, Tea, etc)
Baby Wipes
Gum
Chex Mix, Trail Mix
Granola Bars
Sunscreen
Hand Lotion
Food spices, flavorings and condiments
Tuna Packages

Chapel and Chaplain:

Letters from children to decorate the chapel and dining halls
Pancake Mix (Just add water kind only)—Will try to do pancake dinners in the field
Syrup
Chex Mix-Turtle and Honey Nut Flavors

Anything you want to send from the above lists. If I don’t use it, it will get put in the general pot

I thank you ahead of time for anything you send.

Mail Any packages to:

Chaplain Russ Ferguson
1/9 H Co S-1
Unit 74095
FPO AE 09510-4095

If someone wants to send something bigger (like a small fridge :))contact me at bubbleheadchaps@gmail.com and I’ll give you a list of things that would make help my ministry in a big way.

Notes from Afghanistan

2011-06-04T10:39:00.000-07:00

We are safely in our new home for the next seven months. We got here a few weeks ago and are in the final stages of taking over from another unit that has started their journey home. They did some great things out here making this place better for the locals and we are looking to make it that much safer before we finally leave.

Based on my first impressions of the place, I wasn't too sure there was anything but open space and dirt (what they affectionately call moon dust out here because it is like baby powder). However, I got to get out with a convoy the other day and was surprised at how green this place can get near the major river that runs through our area. It was also nice to get near the district center and see what the hub of activity looks like in Afghanistan. One good thing about my job is I get to travel around frequently to see my Marines. This also allows me to see the area and meet some of the locals, both of which I am looking forward to doing.

My RP and I have assumed the duties of ministry in this area so tomorrow is the first day of preaching on the FOB and we are getting settled in. We are also expecting mail tomorrow and with that the first batch of care packages specifically for 1/9. We have been sorting the ones from the previous unit this last week and getting those out to the companies to make room for all the love people are sending specifically to 1/9. The next post after this one will be an updated request list. The American people are extremely generous to those deployed out here and we are very appreciative, even if most of the service members fail to tell people that back home. The care package items are quite the draw that gets people to stop by the chapel and we have plenty to give them thanks to all of you who send stuff our way.

It looks like there will be few if any photos to post on the blog over the next few months. The computer rules around here are pretty strict due to recent security leaks, etc. I am still trying to find a way to get them posted here and will do so as soon as I can figure a reliable method that stays within the rules.

Greetings From Afghanistan

2011-05-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

We arrived at Camp Dwyer in Afghanistan yesterday morning at about 9am. From there it was getting settled in and walking around getting a feel for the layout of this base. It is pretty impressive here as it is the larger base that we will report to and such. We are only here for a few days before we head out to our area of operations. We are scheduled for a good deal of training over the next few days to orient ourselves with the area, culture, specific procedures, etc. I am ready to get to our final destination, but it is nice to have a decent place in the rear to come back to. There are about 5 dining halls, an MWR tent from which I am typing this right now, a gym, a PX, laundry facilities, etc. I think I have to come back up here around once a month, so it will be a nice break. I know that my RP will like the break as well.

The only thing I really know about this place is that there is a lot of open desert around here and it is hot. I think it was 110 yesterday. Not all that bad, but the fact that at 6am we were in rain and 50 degree weather made the shock of that temperature that much worse. I hope to get some kind of decent internet access where we are going so that I can continue to update what it is like out here.

Today I will do some more walking around finding the chaplains and see what the worship schedule is like for tomorrow and the other days we are here as well as if I need to preach tomorrow. Plus, I might get an idea as to when I am heading out of here. I think it all depends on when the chaplain I am relieving is heading this way as there is a issue of rack (sleeping) space out there.

On Our Way to Afghanistan

2011-05-18T00:54:00.000-07:00

We arrived this morning in Manas, Kyrgyzstan which is a short stop on our way towards our final destination in Afghanistan. It is run by the Air Force, so we are living in relative luxury right now. The small chow hall had more than I had even thought possible while deployed and even the sleeping quarters are pretty plush. We get mattresses. Much better than what we had out in Twentynine Palms just last month. I have no idea how long we will stay here waiting for our next flight, but it is nice to actually get a bit of rest after the fight here. It was about 15 hours in the air with a two hour layover in Germany to refuel the plane and change the flight crew. The base here has plenty of things to do, but I sense it will get old fairly rapidly. We are ready to get to our final destination and do what we are trained for.

I have heard that we have already had care packages sent our way and now we get to see who can make it to our area first, the postal service or Transportation command and the Marines. Because we don't really know our schedule and when we are flying out, my money is on the USPS.

Care Package Needs May 2011

2011-05-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

So the time is drawing near that we will be heading out to Afghanistan. One thing I am using this space for is to relay care package needs from both the 1/9 Marines and the Afghan children that life in our area of operations to those out there who may be interested in sending some stuff our way while we are living in the desert. I have been told it will take about 3-6 weeks for things to get out to us so I wanted to start this list as soon as the mail address went active. Anything sent without a specific purpose will be distributed evenly among the companies and my RP and I will deliver the items as we get around the battle space visiting the Marines and Sailors. If you want the items to go to a specific person or group of people, please drop a note in the box indicating that. Also, if you know of any school teachers that want to send notes please do that as well. I intend to decorate our chapel with letters and cards from the kids.

Care Package Needs May 2011

Afghan Children:

Coloring Books—Culturally appropriate-Animals, etc

Crayons

Colored Pencils

Pencils

Pens

Notebooks and Paper

Backpacks

Soccer Balls (Deflated)

Kick balls (Deflated)

Marines:

Socks (Brown, Green, Black)

Foot Powder

Razors

Candy (Jolly Ranchers, Starburst, Werther’s, Twizzlers, BlowPops) This gets to the kids as well

Beef Jerky

Drink Mix (Single packets of Propel, Propel Zero, Gatorade, Kool Aid, Coffee, Tea, etc)

Bulk Drink Mix

Baby Wipes

Gum

Chex Mix, Trail Mix

Granola Bars
Sunscreen
Hand Lotion
Chapstick
Food spices, flavorings and condiments
Tuna Packages

Chapel and Chaplain:

Letters from children to decorate the chapel and dining halls

Pancake Mix (Just add water kind only)—Will try to do pancake dinners in the field

Syrup

Chex Mix-Turtle and Honey Nut Flavors

Anything you want to send from the above lists. If I don’t use it, it will get put in the general pot

I thank you ahead of time for anything you send.

Mail Any packages to:
Chaplain Russ Ferguson
1/9 H Co S-1
Unit 74095
FPO AE 09510-4095

If someone wants to send something bigger contact me at bubbleheadchaps@gmail.com and I’ll give you a list of things that would make help my ministry in a big way.

Way to Go USO

2011-05-01T03:55:00.000-07:00

So this isn't an update on anything in the last few days but a huge thank you to the men and women volunteers at the USO at John Wayne International Airport in Ontario, CA. They have done some amazing work the last few days. It started on Thursday night when we arrived at 11pm after a 2.5 hour bus ride from Twentynine Palms after EMV. I happened to be on the first bus at the front and was the first one inside the USO on Thursday night, the first of about 650+ Marines and sailors they would host that night alone, not counting the next two nights with the rest of 1/9 and all of 3/6 getting home.

When we got there, they had cold soft drinks in every part of the USO for us to have along some great snacks. Additionally, they had someone on the grill non stop cooking hot dogs for anyone who wanted them. I have been in a few USO locations and this by far was the largest I have ever seen. It looks like they took over an entire terminal that isn't used anymore and just spread all kinds of love and kindness to our servicemembers. The volunteers took time to talk with each person as they walked in the door and were extremely patient dealing with so many Marines cramped in a space designed for about 150 or so. They were there in shifts all through the night and it was amazing to see that kind of dedication to take care of some hungry and exhausted Marines.

I talked with many of the volunteers (the two Navy vets were glad to talk with a non-Marine for a few minutes). One lady had never seen a chaplain come through and had all kinds of questions and enjoyed talking with me about what I did each day. I am so grateful there are dedicated people that will come in and meet servicemembers regardless of the hour they come through.

Thank you and continued blessings to the USO on their ministry to those they serve.

Notes from California-EMV Part 4

2011-04-28T16:14:00.000-07:00

This is the last post from California as I am hopping onto a bus in a few hours to make it to the airport and wait 6 hours for our 0500 flight back home. I have really enjoyed my time out here with my Marines and have learned quite a bit more about the USMC and what to expect in Afghanistan. The desert environment has been quite the challenge on me and my equipment and I learned tricks to overcome that. One thing I would improve is to have some dedicated training/mentoring for the Religious Ministry Teams (Chaplain and RP) that come out here for a month. It is a mentality of go figure out how to operate under a schedule and training environment that is nothing like deployment. So, RP and I had to figure out ways to make the training effective for us.

We did five foot patrols with the guys in a mock town in two days this week to get our teamwork and communication down. We have some more work to do, but there has been a good start and we can build on that next week and during our in country training period.

I got to participate in a few key leader engagements with Afghan role players. I was just there to engage with their religious leader if needed. It was great to learn the culture in an intense setting and to eat Afghan food. I did get to say a prayer at one of the meetings. It was odd saying a prayer as a Christian in a room of Muslims. I gather I did a good job as it was well received and I heard a comment of how our prayers are very similar.

Easter was great, despite preaching in 30+ mph winds. 80 people showed up across all three services throughout the afternoon. We couldn't do a sunrise service due to the training schedule, but I was pleased with the turnout. We'll see how many show up once we get into country. I am predicting a pretty good turnout, but that depends on how things are going.

It was a good experience for RP and I to bond and get a good feel for how we work together and what the stressors are for each of us. We also learned what happens to each of us as we get tired and exhausted. I am really looking forward to heading out in a few weeks and ministering where there is a distinct and great need.

Easter Sermon from EMV

2011-04-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

I know this is posting things a bit early, but I am not sure I will have time to post this tomorrow due to the crazy schedule and lack of computer access after I finish preaching the three services to all the positions of the companies in the field. While in the field I don't typically use a manuscript instead just relying on notes. But as this is my first major Christian holiday in the field I wanted to post the full text, well minus any ad libbing I do tomorrow, to test out something I want to do in country. I want to post sermon notes and texts so my lay leaders can use them as discussions so when I visit the Marines they are connected with any kind of series or recurring themes while I have been unable to visit. Plus, it gives a small window into how I reach my Marines. Unfortunately, you won't be there with them at the Forward Operating Bases in the desert and haven't been with them the last month, but I hope you get a feel for what they are going through and what they need as I have discerned.

Easter 2011

Psalm 113:1-2, 14-24 (Opening Prayer)

Colossians 3:1-4

Matthew 28:1-10

“Who Jesus Is”

24 April 2011 Field Services

Have you ever experienced a moment that you will never forget. One that is etched in your mind for all eternity. 9/11, for us old folks, the Challenger explosion, your first kiss, when you proposed, the birth of a child, the death of a loved one. This is one of those moments for the two women named Mary in the text. Normally, those moments have significance to just us, but this moment changed history and affected everyone for the last two thousand years.
I have been trying to picture this whole scene at the tomb in my mind the last week. Let’s all put ourselves in the women’s shoes here. What would this whole thing look like?
A man we trusted and followed despite ridicule and banishment from our religion that defined our lives was brutally executed this past Friday. He didn’t go quickly either. He hung there dying for hours undergoing torture at the hands of people who couldn’t care who he was or what he meant to us let alone the world. All his other close friends essentially abandoned the last three years of following him and went back to their old jobs and lives the next day. Who can really blame them though? They needed to live and this Jesus guy wasn’t really who he said he was right? He promised to save Israel and had open arms for everyone. He did heal people, but so did other. So maybe he was just a fad like all the others.
If I’m honest with myself, I’d probably do the same thing. I put most of my chips betting on Jesus, but hold some back in case I’m wrong. The disciples did the same thing, it seems like human nature. But, these women don’t run away from Jesus, they are slower to go back to their old lives. Despite their world crashing down on them and essentially losing everything in his death, they go to the tomb after the Sabbath. They are following their customs when things get back to normal in Israel and want to anoint the body and help keep the stench down. They want Jesus to have respect and dignity in death, even if he did let them down.

When they get there though, the world changes again in a dramatic manner. According to Matthew, the earth shook, the stone rolled away and an angel was sitting on the stone. Imagine that scene for a second. You are grieving the loss of a dear friend and then bam, an angel is sitting on the stone at an open tomb that was sealed last time you looked a second ago. I’d run far and fast. The women pause and the angel says, “Do not be afraid.” Yeah, right! That would make me want to run even more. The angel says that the one we are looking for isn’t here, he is risen. Every scary legend I learned about graveyards is coming true before my eyes. These women know about Lazarus and how he walked out of a tomb, so this scene isn’t exactly new to them, but no one was there to raise Jesus. Did he do this himself? Before they can ask a question, the angel say to go and tell the disciples that Jesus will meet them in Galilee. They leave still afraid but are doing what the angel instructed.

On the way there, they see Jesus who greets them saying, “Hi!” like nothing has happened. Don’t be afraid and tell those scared men to meet me in Galilee. It seems like Jesus expected this and it isn’t all that amazing that he is talking to people a few days after his death. But, Jesus is not exactly like us. He looks like us, talks like us, walks like us, feels like us, but there is something distinctly different and this event has brought that into clear focus. And he needs people to tell the world who he is and what he is here for.

We misunderstand him all the time. We tend to lose focus on what Jesus came for and why he went through all he went through the last week of his life. On Sunday, he entered Jerusalem as a hero and then went and turned over tables at the temple. Monday he curses a tree as an object lesson and tells some parables about what is going to happen. Tuesday he seals his fate with the religious leaders. Wednesday his arrest is arranged. Thursday he has his last meal and is betrayed during his prayer with God. Friday he is beaten and executed after a trumped up trial in a kangaroo court. But, despite all this he came back. For us, each and every one of us here today. For this world so broken that creation moans for renewal. That is the gospel. That is the grace of Christ. That made everything he taught took a different meaning. Everything he said has eternal consequences and shapes how we live out our calling to bless to world.

In the passage from Colossians, Paul says we must seek things of Christ because he is part of us and we part of him. Christ has participated in everything we undergo in life and rose above it all. So doing the things of Christ are what brings his glory here on earth. So what exactly are the things we, those of us called Christians who proclaim the glory of the day we remember today, are called to do?

We have to go back to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry to see what today means. Jesus laid out the kingdom and what he was here for in the Sermon on the Mount. It also defined who Jesus is. The sermons in Lent have revolved around “Who is Jesus?” Today the answer is proven. We heard it from Jesus’ mouth earlier in Matthew so lets look again at how wide, wonderful and glorious this kingdom is.

It is humble, full of broken people doing what they can to help others as much or more than they help themselves. It is people who are looking to make peace with the world and others. People who care for creation as gardeners and not just consumers. People who love even their enemies as much as friends. People just like us who know they need Jesus to live into that kingdom. It is inclusive and waiting for anyone to come into the kingdom at any time.

The kingdom is Christ’s death, our sins, forgiveness, thankfulness, community, hospitality, inspiration, equality and our calling to be a blessing to the world. The kingdom is here for those of us who are broken and know the world is broken and know that is not what the world should be.

This kingdom turns our culture and what we value on its head. It doesn’t matter why you are here today, this kingdom is for you. You may only worship today and Christmas, you may only come when you need strength, you may come every Sunday because it is the only way you make it through the week. Jesus is alive and on the move for you.

This kingdom is for losers like me, where the least of these become the greatest in the kingdom and are the focus of Jesus’ ministry and who we losers are called to minister to as well. And what is amazing is that the king of this heavenly kingdom loves losers like me so much that he defeated death for me.

And this king is more than just someone who died to save us. I have to admit that sometimes I cannot adequately put into words who Jesus is and what it means to have him as my king. Those raised in an African-American faith can articulate that better than I ever will so I will take excerpts from a description of King Jesus by the Rev S.M. Lockridge from 35 years ago that is still powerful and relevant on a day like today.

"My King is: The king of the Jews-that’s a racial king. The King of Israel-that’s a national king; the King of glory; the king of kings and the Lord of Lords.

My king is a sovereign king. No means of measure can define his limitless love! No barrier can hinder him from pouring out his blessing!

He’s enduringly strong! He’s entirely sincere! He’s imperially powerful! He’s impartially merciful! He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world!

He’s God’s son! The sinner’s savior! The centerpiece of civilization! He stands in the solitude of Himself! He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology!

He sympathizes and saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and guides. He heals the sick. He cleansed the lepers. He forgives sinners. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate.

I wish I could describe him for you, but he’s indescribable! He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible! He’s irresistible!

You can’t get him out of your mind or off your hands! You can’t outlive him and you can’t live without him! The Pharisees couldn’t stand him, but they found out they couldn’t stop him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in him. Death couldn’t handle him and the tomb couldn’t hold him.

That’s my King, that’s my king, that my king and he’s the kingdom and the power and the glory Forever. AMEN!"

Notes from California-EMV Part 3

2011-04-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

It has been a good two weeks out here. The battalion seems to be performing well. I'm not a ground combat tactician so I'm basing that on what I am hearing, etc. The Marines are in good spirits and are eager to get this last week done and get back to NC. I can say I am there with them.

I have had a good time out there watching artillery do their job in the combined arms portion of this long training. It is weird being out in the field with weapons flying overhead. You definitely hear them coming before you see them land about a mile away. My RP and I have yet to spend more than two nights in any one location. We are getting tired by all the traveling, but it is rewarding and I am there to serve my Marines so that is what we get to do. We did get the last two nights back at Camp Wilson for some rest and refit. We are heading back out in two hours for the last event here that will last until Thursday and then on Friday we are off to the airport for the flight back to NC.

I would have some great photos from the last week or so, but the cell phone literally cooked in the heat and isn't working at all. And my camera didn't make it past the first week.

Next up is getting ready for the Easter preaching extravaganza tomorrow as I plan to do 4 services so I can be at every company position for Easter. That is why the rest over the last few days has been well timed. Last week I got to do something pretty special and participated in a Passover Seder out in the field. I had to order the meals for everyone three months ago due to the special order nature of the event, but it was great to participate in such a setting for a special meal. I even got a thank you email from one of the moms for making sure to think about the Jewish Marines out here. That was one of the emails that makes the job worthwhile.

Notes from California-EMV Part 2

2011-04-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

So I just got back to the main base out here, Camp Wilson, sort of unexpectedly due to some training I have to give to all the companies before we leave here and two of them are back here for the next two days so I get to give them the training tomorrow. It will be nice to get a shower and do some laundry. The soda I just finished was amazing after not having anything cold to drink for the last two weeks. What a great time out in the field though. I was able to get out with each of the companies for a few nights over that time and held some field services with good attendance numbers of about 10% of the companies. I also got to get out and walk alongside the Marines as they performed on some live fire ranges, one of which I have heard them talk about since the day I arrived 6 months ago. Range 400 out here is a sort of coming of age type experience for the infantry types and I must say it was quite impressive. I walked along with the Battalion Commander who provided some great insight into what I was seeing. There were times where machine guns were firing overhead and I was 100 yds from explosions of all kinds. Pretty surreal to say the least.

We have endured all kinds of weather out here in the desert. From 100 degree days to 30 degree nights to even some rain and 50 mph winds. It is truly looking like a great place to get that final training in before we head out and deploy. I'll leave now so I can go and finish some other work, relax and get some sleep before getting up late tomorrow (6 am instead of 4am like the past few days.)

Notes from California-EMV Part 1

2011-04-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

So I am now out at Twentynine Palms, CA for Enhanced Mojave Viper training, our last hurdle before deployment. We have been at the main training camp called Camp Wilson all week and will push out to the remote training areas today. It has been an interesting week out here. It all started with a charter flight from Cherry Point on Sunday afternoon/evening to Ontario, CA. We had to arrive on base 10 hours before the flight to draw weapons and pack up, etc. We loaded the buses and headed down the road to Cherry Point and the bus I was on got lost twice on the way there. Not to worry because we were at the terminal for hours before the flight left. For military flights they weigh you in before you get on which was a new experience for me. The flight left about 90 minutes late for various reasons so we didn't land until about 11pm California time, got on buses for another two hours and finally had our gear here in the desert at about 4am. Back up at 8am for the normal day to begin.

Most of the week was training for the Marines so RP and I got some good PT in and basically worked out of the chapel on Camp Wilson. Many classes and meetings throughout the week. I also got the honor of getting my smallpox vaccine on Wednesday. Man it is itching right now. The other infantry battalion chaplain and I got to do some visioning of our plans for deployment as he will be in an area close to ours on deployment and it was nice to have deep theological discussions like in seminary again. We are both from different backgrounds and had some great discussions on a wide range of topics and how we do worship, etc. One of my Chaplain School classmates is stationed out here and he stopped by for a few hours on Thursday to catch up and offer some tips on deployment, etc. All in all a good and productive week with some good counseling and lay leader training as well.

We held a Bible study on Wednesday night and had a movie night on Thursday for anyone interested. Not much turnout, but the guys have typically been exhausted each night after training. Other than yesterday the temperatures have been quite comfortable and makes me glad we are here training because it is dry and there is usually a breeze to cool you off. I'll get one final run in and hopefully have time for a shower before we push out for 4 weeks. I have decided that if I were to deploy to a place like this, I'd probably go crazy. I'm too much of a personality that needs to get out and do stuff to be stuck at an established base with restaurants and such for a long period of time. This week has been long enough and I am ready to get out there with the Marines and get this show on the road.

Hopefully I'll be able to get some updates as we are out there training. If not, I'll provide the select few of you who read this an update when I get back to this bastion of civilization in a few weeks.

Week In Review (21 March- 27 March)

2011-03-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

This week was interesting to say the least. Pretty steady business as we get ready for a long training out at Twentynine Palms, CA. This is the last hurdle before deployment. I showed up Monday morning thinking we were flying out on Wednesday, but that got moved to tomorrow which actually worked out best for me because I had a ton to get done around the house. I felt like I was in meetings for most of the week. The first one started at 7am each morning and I usually wouldn't get a breath until around lunch. Had a few more guys stopping by thinking about getting married before deployment, but not as much as a few weeks ago when it was pretty much all I did that week.

The weekly visit to the brig was interesting because as soon as I sat down to wait for the first Marine I came to see, they called away a fire drill. So twenty minutes later I finally got back in to see my guys. None of them will be there when we get back, so I hope that that was my last visit for a while provided no one else does something to get put in there.

We got issued a bunch more gear for deployment but aren't allowed enough bags to carry it all to CA, so I just picked what looked most needed and will pack the rest when we deploy. I can't believe how much gear we are required to take with us everywhere we go. Supposedly, the people in charge of our embarkation are pretty picky about how much gear we take and such so that has been fun playing within the rules to pack all this stuff. Hopefully, I've gotten everything within the limits.

The Passover Seder meals also arrived this week. Of course they would arrive after we had shipped everything to CA on trucks so it has taken some favors to get the 8 meals loaded on the plane. I'm really looking forward to leading the Seder in a few weeks, though some of the food items aren't looking too appetizing, especially as they are MRE type foods.

It has become quite apparent that deployment is right around the corner. I am finally in contact with the chaplain for the battalion we are relieving and getting as good a lay of the land as possible and beginning the turnover process. I am sure we are both excited but for opposite reasons.

The weather was nice and I got to run along the river after work a couple of times this week. I will miss this time of year where the weather is pleasant, though a bit schizophrenic. Hopefully it's not too hot in CA during the day and we can get some workouts in during any free time that may arise. I am trying to get some approval from the network people for access to the blog while on USMC computers so that I can post updates from the field, especially care package needs once we are deployed.

Week In Review (07 March--20 March)

2011-03-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

OK, it's actually two weeks, but I was visiting my family last weekend and didn't really feel like posting then. Plus, March Madness has started and I was more focused on that in my free time than writing stuff for a blog not many people read. It has been easy to find time tonight with one of the games being a huge blowout (I didn't think VCU would win the first game much less have Purdue down by 20).

The last two weeks have been absolutely crazy. Our deployment schedule has been accelerated so we are leaving for Afghanistan earlier than expected. And we still have to plan for and head out to California for some training later this week. Needless to say I feel like I'm back on a submarine again with the hours I am pulling right now. 11 hour days are short ones and are much appreciated. At least I don't have to stand duty every third night and get the weekends off for the most part.

We got back from Virginia late afternoon on the 6th and I had to be back in to work on the 7th at the regular time because of a training on the repeal of DADT. That took all afternoon and pretty much frustrated me the whole time. You would think chaplains would be more of the attitude that it didn't really matter who came into their office and would care for them equally, but I guess there are some with serious issues surrounding the repeal. That afternoon the CO gave me a heads up that we might be leaving early when I talked to him about going to a future presbytery meeting in Los Angeles and he said not to buy tickets just yet. Apparently the junior Marines were a step ahead of the CO as the next day I had 7 people come in for pre-marital counseling (every Marine is supposed to see me before they get married as part of our marriage check in sheet). I have been averaging 6 per MONTH. I think I am now up to 12 this month already. I also had to prep an Ash Wednesday service, but with the craziness and freaking out about the deployment date, no one showed up. I have to say, I think it was a good service planned, but oh well such is the life of an infantry chaplain. We did get Thurs and Friday off because it was planned that way for a while, so I headed home on Friday to visit the parents and friends.

And when I got back to work on Monday it was just as crazy every day. I have been on CACO watch again until tomorrow, and the whole turnover on Monday was pretty bizarre, but I'll save that one for later. I confirmed with the people at the Peachtree Road Race that we are going to run a satellite version of the race in Afghanistan on the 4th of July and am looking forward to coordinating that. RP got everything lined up for United Through Reading while on deployment so the Marines and sailors can read books to their kids via DVD each night. I also got the Easter liturgy printed out so it could go in the stuff that needed to get sent to California this week.

Tuesday was Operational Stress Control and Response (OSCAR) training for about 125 members of the battalion, including me and the RP. It was a good training and should help us help the Marines better during the deployment. I also got some recreational equipment (kickball, wiffleball, etc) ordered for the battalion for deployment. I am taking the approach of getting them some childhood games to play while on deployment to break the routine as I know they will bring electronic means of recreation on their own.

Wednesday was pre-deployment brief day. I had to attend both because I spoke at both and also was required to attend the brief for the single personnel. We also had our readiness inspection that occurs before we are allowed to head out for deployment. The RP and I passed with only one deficiency and we knew about that one and it was self-reported. No big deal and it won't keep us from heading out. We also got the two mount out boxes with all we need for worship, our office supplies, candy to give out, devotionals, bibles, rosaries, etc packed and ready to go.

Thursday was a meeting with some other chaplains in the morning, it took about two hours, as none of us had really scheduled anything as our RP's were all taking advancement exams so the schedules were wide open and we took the time for fellowship and venting to each other, good self care was had by all. RP and I also got out and visited all the remote battalion shops for the week in the afternoon and got the offices cleaned up and ready for us to go away for a month.

Friday was Jane Wayne day when the families get to come in and go on a range and shoot and get to play on the obstacle course. We all get together for lunch and get to meet some of the families as well. We had some good hot dogs for lunch. We had to load our stuff onto the container that is taking them to California tomorrow morning. I also got the newsletter article done and submitted. I also got the Power of Attorney for my mom done in the morning as part of the deployment preps. And got the semi-annual report to my endorser completed and off before we went to California so I don't have to worry about the report while in the field.

Busy two weeks and this one looks to be just as busy.

Enough Already

2011-03-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

I usually don't delve into theological debates here as the main focus is to try and provide a glimpse into the everyday life of a Navy chaplain. Those stories alone, many of which can't be told due to confidentiality, could take up many hours relating on a blog. However, this whole Rob Bell/Universalism/Is Hell Real debate is getting old, especially now that the collateral damage is hitting close to home.

For those that don't regularly follow theological debates that rage on the Internet all around you, I'll provide a bit of background. Rob Bell has written a book titled Love Wins that delves into the topic of hell. I haven't personally read the book yet and hadn't really intended to until it came out in paperback. But, picked up a copy today using a gift card so I wouldn't feel too bad about paying for a hard cover book (I stopped buying hard cover new releases while in seminary to cut back costs while I didn't have a steady job). Even before the book hit the shelves this past week people were blowing up the Internet with reviews of the book they hadn't yet read calling him a heretic and all kinds of other nice names we save for the people who rankle our theological leanings. Those who saw him as a spokesman for their theological positions disowned him, etc. Granted, I haven't yet read the book and even once I do I won't bother to post a review, as most people probably could care less what I think of the book.

What bothers me is the reaction. I hadn't really paid much attention to the lead up as I was out in the field serving my Marines and had more important things to worry about. And frankly, you could probably say I still have more pressing problems: an accelerated predeployment schedule, leaving for deployment training this week, getting Easter services prepped before we leave, working out the rough memorial service outline for deployment, counseling Marines until well after dark each day, cleaning the house and car, etc. However, a friend of mine got caught up in this whole hysteria and has paid a pretty steep price. He was a student pastor at a church in NC while attending seminary at Duke. He is in his last semester and was on track to get interviewed for provisional ordination in the Methodist church this month. Sometime during the lead up to the book's release, he wrote a piece for Emergent Village about what he lost and gained when he lost hell. His view of hell and mine are not the same, but that doesn't matter.

After he wrote that piece, he was released from his position as a student pastor. This isn't something that is done by the congregation alone. It takes the work of a senior clergy member, one who is supposed to mentor student pastors as well as provide assignments. I don't doubt that other factors came into play (my friend acknowledges as much). He was going to get a new congregation in less than three months anyways and will graduate from seminary in two months. I am a firm believer in firing pastors when they violate the trust and confidence we place in them as leaders, much the same as why military members suffer dearly when they break the rules. Maybe, it is the wide theological range of beliefs found in my own denomination that makes this so confusing to me. It does make me glad that my denomination allows some wiggle room in our "orthodoxy" to allow theological discussion and growth on a variety of issues. Where was the grace in this process? What about some serious discussions about beliefs before summarily dismissing someone who was leaving anyways? What lesson does that teach the congregation if their beliefs aren't "orthodox?" Now you have a congregation, and apparently a denomination that is afraid to discuss theological issues. I for one am crying out loud, enough already.

Notes From the Field (Ft. Pickett, VA Edition)

2011-03-07T03:21:00.000-08:00

So I am finally back at Camp Lejeune after three weeks at Ft. Pickett, VA for some pre-deployment training. It was an exciting and exhausting period with something going on 24/7. The battalion stood up a Forward Operating Base (FOB) which is where I coordinated all of my activities from. The FOB also held the Battalion Aid Station (BAS) which is where the corpsmen handle all major care and also became my sleeping quarters because the tent for officers ran out of room and I lost my spot the first time I left the FOB to visit the companies. This happened the first night of training, but wasn't too bad as I wasn't on the FOB often or for very long. I got off the FOB for half of the training nights and really enjoyed being out and about with the Marines during this complex training environment. It was also nice to not have as much counseling regarding guys not wanting to be in the Marines now that they are out doing the job for which they signed up and trained for many years.

I got to see my RP (assistant and bodyguard) shoot for the first time and was quite impressed. 4 shots, 4 kills at 400 yards on the range. I know that I am well protected while in country, which is good news to both myself and my mom. It also gave me a chance to see the RP in action and I have lucked out with a great assistant who does well keeping me on schedule and also works well with me to keep me from forgetting things I need for worship, etc. He can also hang with my hectic nature in the field of getting out as often and for as long as possible outside the FOB, something we plan to continue while in country.

I had the opportunity to perform a number of services while out there and got some good feedback that those who showed up left filled with God's word and presence. I even had one say he came not expecting anything worth returning for, but found himself looking forward to coming back again. I also worked with a Catholic priest to facilitate services for the Catholics in the battalion. He was well received and held their attention during the services. He really enjoys serving Marines when they come up there and even enjoyed eating a MRE.

The other major thing I was tasked to do while up there was to introduce an "ethical warrior" training program. I basically trained the Non Commissioned Officers on the history of ethics, just war theory, military ethics, how to run case studies and introduced the concept of ethics of care so that they can go back to their squads and start talking ethics on a regular basis with their Marines. The goal being that the Marines discuss ethical issues now before so they know their ethical core before issues come up both here in garrison as well as when they are operating in country. Unknown to me before designing the program, there is high level interest in programs such as this and I was filmed and photographed giving one of the trainings followed by an interview with a public affairs officer who is incorporating the training into an article on innovations the battalion is implementing. I will update that if anything comes of it.

I also got to be a bit of a battalion photographer and PAO as I was tasked with updating the battalion's facebook page each week with photos from the field. I guess that comes with being one of the few guys who gets outside the FOB regularly to visit all the companies. It was fun taking a ton of photos and some videos to give the families a taste of what the guys were going through. Though it blows up my email account with people requesting to tag photos and making comments.

Overall it was a great time and I am fortunate to have a job that allows me such a great way to connect with others in a unique way. I am back here for a little over two weeks and then off again for more training. This time to the Mojave Desert for our final deployment certification. Deployment will be here before I know it. I just need to figure out a way to keep the posts coming from overseas so I can make sure care package requests are available for those few who read this.

Now it is back to the weekly grind of meetings in garrison. At least I get a break from meetings and get to hold an Ash Wednesday service this week that I still need to plan.

Week in Review (07 Feb - 12 Feb)

2011-02-12T19:34:00.000-08:00

As we are heading out to the field again tomorrow, I figured I'd post an update before we leave as I have no idea how the connectivity will be at Ft. Pickett in Virginia. I'm looking forward to having an op that is away from Lejeune so we can get away from some of the admin that comes in each day from above. I know that I don't have to worry about fielding many calls from other agencies, etc while we are away from base.

Last week was mostly focusing on getting ready for the next few weeks and was hectic because the battalion leadership was participating in a virtual exercise for most of the week. Monday was full of meetings again and packing the mount out boxes as well as packing the office since RP and I will be returning from the field to new offices. Tuesday was some work on the FMF qualification requirements. I am finally getting into a groove of making progress each week so it should start to feel like I am making steady progress after the field op. I also did some checking in with senior chaplains before heading out to get last minute tasking and suggestions to make the field op run a bit smoother. Thursday was a good day as the base was closed due to snow that didn't arrive so we got some great admin done. Unfortunately, the corpsmen decided I needed both a yellow fever and anthrax vaccination this week. I think I have had 4 shots in the last two weeks and am starting to feel like a human pin cushion.

Off to the field.

Week in Review (31 Jan - 06 Feb)

2011-02-07T17:33:00.000-08:00

This week wasn't too hectic as we are getting ready for the upcoming field exercise in Virginia. RP and I are getting everything ready and packed up for the trip. We spent almost three hours on Wednesday going through our stuff in the cage that was left over from the last deployment and discovered that we don't really need to order many religious supplies for the upcoming deployment. I think there are enough materials that anyone can get what they need for any religion or denomination. Plus we also found some good relationship counseling materials.

It was also a good week as the CO and I began to discuss the ministry plan for deployment and how best to get me around to all the companies on a routine basis while deployed. It is pretty amazing at how close the deployment is and at the same time how far away some of the guys think it is. The RP and I also did a good amount of work in prepping our coverage plan for the trip to VA next week.

A quick glance at how consuming the job can be, I didn't even realize that one of the races I ran every year while in seminary, the Krispy Kreme Challenge, occurred this weekend. Had I known and planned better I might have gone to my parent's house on Friday to participate yet again. Maybe next year.

Notes From the Field

2011-01-31T16:22:00.000-08:00

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.

Week in Review (10 Jan - 16 Jan 11)

2011-01-17T16:51:00.000-08:00

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.

Week In Review (04 Jan - 09 Jan 2011)

2011-01-09T19:16:00.000-08:00

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.

Short Week in Review (28-29 December 2010)

2011-01-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

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.

Week In Review (Dec 20th-26th 2010)

2010-12-26T19:55:00.000-08:00

Short week is the best way to describe the past week. That just means that we did 5 days worth of work in 3.

Monday was filled with briefs and other office work as is becoming the routine. Went to dental for a checkup in the morning. Of course they scheduled my cleaning on my day off. Had an intel brief and overview of the upcoming deployment. It gave me some framework with which to start planning our ministry plan for when we finally get in country. I also did my first PRT since coming back on active duty. I wanted to get one on the upcoming fitrep and to get on the cycle with the rest of the Navy personnel in the battalion. I should have pushed the sit-ups a bit more and maxed those out. I was remembering the old scoring system where your weakest area governed your overall score. I figured I would run about 11min so didn't worry about the other areas too much. I ran a 9:55 and should have maxed the sit-ups like I did the push ups then the overall would have been much higher. Oh well, lesson learned for the spring cycle.

Tuesday was more meetings in the morning getting some predeployment presentations ready and then the afternoon was a cultural brief for the deployment. That was pretty interesting and I got some good book recommendations from the presenter. I also learned I can get some one-on-one tutoring on the local language before we deploy and will set up a schedule this coming week. I think knowing the language, however limited, will help break the ice and open doors with the locals when we are deployed.

Wednesday was a medical stand down which meant I had to have my record checked for a few things. Seeing how I just checked in nothing was a surprise and I had to get a typhoid vaccination (its my 3rd one since joining) because the record didn't transfer. I need to find that yellow card soon to update everything. I get to endure the yellow fever one again once they have enough people to open a vial. And I am sure there are more shots coming before the deployment. We then put everyone on their 96 hour liberty and had our holiday party. They moved the schedule up 30 minutes from what was published so I literally walked in to the party right as the CO was calling for me to do the blessing. Divine intervention got me there in time to do the blessing and not miss my one job for the evening.

Spent the weekend at home for Christmas and got to see some snow finally. I kept hearing all the people back in Durham talk about snow repeatedly this winter and was getting a little jealous.

The above picture is my parent's neighborhood right before I left this afternoon. I was grateful that the NC DOT did a wonderful job clearing the roads this morning and that allowed me a smooth ride back. There was one wreck on I-40 and I still can't figure out how it happened. The road was completely dry where it occurred and there were 5 cars involved.

Next week is another short week as the 96 hour ends tomorrow afternoon and then we get another one starting Thursday at noon. I can't go anywhere as I have CACO watch for the next 10 days starting tomorrow.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T06:35:00.000-08:00

I guess since everyone else is posting related to today being Christmas Eve, I'll join in the party. I'm headed home for the holiday and will be back down to Lejeune on Sunday night as I have to take over CACO watch starting Monday morning and have it through the new year. No parties for me I guess. Seeing how I'll be deployed next year doing ministry to those who stand the watch I figured I borrow some poems I found over at Blackfive that sum up why I find it important to be doing what I do in taking care of the Marines and Sailors with whom I serve.

The first one is pretty well known among the military circles:

‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all  alone,
In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had  come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in  this home did live.

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no  presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled  with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought  soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I’d  seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I’d heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down  the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent,  alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S.  Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in  his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon  understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families  that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were  willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups  would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom,  each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas  Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to  my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
“Santa, don’t cry,  this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more.
My  life is my God, my country, my Corps.”

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn’t  control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he  shivered from the cold night’s chill.
So I took off my jacket, the  one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.
Then  I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and  anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to  swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep  inside.

I didn’t want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of  honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a  voice clean and pure,
said “Carry on, Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all  secure.”
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry  Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

©Copyright circa 1991 by James M. Schmidt
(As printers in the December 1991 issue of the USMC magazine, Leatherneck)

The second I just saw for the first time today and wanted to post it as well as it is a good thing for those who don't have the best of feelings for the military to read to get an insight into why those in the service volunteer to stand watch this time of year:

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,

I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,

transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,

completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,

a lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,

standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,

Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light.

Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,

That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"

Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,'

And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,

The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,

Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,

I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,

Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,

To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,

Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?"

It seems all too little for all that you've done,

For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,

To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

H/T Subsunk at Blackfive

My prayer for this night is for the safe return of those who are standing the watch tonight. I have good friends all around the world tonight and I remember the days I was out there at Christmas. We treated it like any other day knowing that we'd get a chance to celebrate it when we got back. And I also use this night to pray for everyone to finally lay down arms and see beyond our nature to see God's good plan for us. But until then, I'll continue to serve those who are on watch as long as God sees fit.

Merry Christmas!

Week In Review (Dec 13th-19th 2010)

2010-12-19T18:27:00.000-08:00

Another week in the life of an infantry chaplain. Life is getting busier and will continue to do so until after we return from deployment seeing how we start the intense workups after the holidays.

Monday held my first day on Casualty Assistance Call Officer (CACO) watch. We have a chaplain standing by each day to go with the CACO for any notifications. Quiet day and that is a good thing.

Tuesday was my day to attend Combat Life Saver (CLS). This course is essentially first aid that I learned in Boy Scouts many years ago. Tourniquets, pressure bandages, splints, treating for shock and hypothermia. I got to learn what is in the CLS bag that I will most likely carry seeing how I don't have a weapon or ammo to carry and when things get dicey it is something I can do to help keep the Marines safe. There will be other lifesaving/first aid courses before we deploy and I hope to catch a bunch of them. We are blessed to have some great corpsmen that know their stuff. I also went out in the field for a few hours in the late afternoon as a few companies were out there. I didn't stay the night and that was fortunate as it was colder than the previous week when I slept outside.

Wednesday was my second trip to the brig. We have a few guys in there and I go out to visit them each week to see how they are doing, etc. Until I come here I haven't done much visitation in a prison, other than some visits to CCU at Pearl for one of my Weapons Department guys, so it is a bit disconcerting and I hope I never get used to visiting the brig. Good ministry, but still a bit weird ministering through bars. Also did some viewing of possible Bible studies to start during the predeployment cycle.

Thursday included some planning of the adopt-a-school program for not only the battalion, but also the regiment. Our parent regiment is deploying forward soon so they are placing the program in our hands until we leave. Then we'll turn the regimental program over to another battalion until the regiment returns. Luckily the RP is the battalion coordinator and is willing to step up with regimental program. Unfortunately, we also learned that the RP is heading to a different regiment and I'll be getting a new RP. I really like the one I have now, so it will be a bit of a transition and there is some anxiety on my part regarding the new RP. Just like with the one I have now, as long as he can shoot well and run around my pace, everything else is icing on the cake.

Friday was my PRT weigh in. I am doing one just to make sure we don't have to explain it away on the Fitrep next month. The PRT is tomorrow and I am not worried at all about passing. In fact, I've lost a bit of weight the last few months which means I'll lose some more in the next few months as the PT picks up. I also missed my own Hail and Farewell (or at least the Hail portion) as someone came to see me right as I was getting ready to leave for the party. Oh well, these things happen.

I went back home to Durham this weekend for a family dinner with my mom's family which is always a highlight of the Christmas season as I get to play with the little ones in the family. Nothing like having three small children hanging all over you trying to keep you from moving. I also got to visit my grandfather for his 87th birthday which is tomorrow.

Looking forward to the short week and another trip back home for Christmas. Plus, I might actually get some unpacking done and make some room to start cleaning the house.

Week In Review (Dec 6th-12th 2010)

2010-12-12T18:36:00.000-08:00

This week was highlighted by my first trip out in the field with the Marines.

Monday was a typical Monday for me fraught with meetings all day. While I'm not the biggest fan of scheduling meetings all day, it does free up the rest of the week for getting out of the office to be with the Marines I serve. We also had a chaplain and RP training that focused on the gear we carry and how to put it all together so that training had some great value. Plus, we were shown some of the new gear coming out next year that may lighten the load a bit.

Tuesday was spent in the field all day. I got out there around 1000 with one company to see them do some training on a variety of topics focusing on their squad level leadership. At about 1600 I went to visit a second company which is the one I stayed overnight with. It was extremely cold that night with a low around 15 without the wind chill. I'm grateful for an effective sleeping bag they issued me as that was the warmest I was all day once I got in the bag for the night. I now know what gear I need to buy to stay warmer when we do the Battalion wide Field Exercise next month.

Wednesday was fairly light as I was recovering/warming up from the previous night. I did get to PT with the Navy Corpsmen for the first time and of course I decide to go on the day they get in trouble with the HMC so he decides to make PT memorable for them. I felt that one for a day or so.

Thursday included a visit to the barracks to talk with the Marines on duty, something I try to make time for each week. Got some great conversations in and really enjoyed those visits. I think I ended up out there for about 2 hours.

Friday was a day full of counseling and checking in 65 new Marines that just graduated from the School of Infantry. After that was done I had to take off to the lawyer's office to close on the house and then went back to work for a few minutes to check on any last minute issues that might have come up. Then I got to enjoy the first weekend here since I moved and got a good run in on Saturday and visited a local church today as well as getting things unpacked at bit and getting a new washer and dryer then doing three weeks worth of laundry.

Week In Review (Week of Nov 29th, 2010)

2010-12-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

So one of the ways I want to take this blog is to provide people back home some sort of feel for what I do on a daily basis. Seeing how I can't relay all of the conversations I have with my Marines for a number of reasons, I'll just provide some highlights of where I go each week with the Marines to give a small glimpse into the wonderful world of a Chaplain to an infantry battalion.

Monday was a day off for the most part as we were getting back from the Thanksgiving liberty period. We reported in at 1800 just to make sure we were all still alive and doing well ready to start the week. Being new to the USMC way of extended liberty periods, I assumed that the civilian organizations on base would be open on Monday. I was wrong and spent a few hours driving around trying to do errands to no avail. I'll just take the time off and relax next time.

Tuesday was a long day, it started at 0445 with a muster at the barracks for a 9 mile hike with all of my gear. It was only one company doing the hike, but they invited me and I need to get back into shape seeing how we have a battalion wide 18 mile hike coming up in a few months. I survived and didn't fall out. Unfortunately the 10 or so Marines that did fall out got some ribbing about how the chaplain kept up. Perhaps the funniest moment came when I saw the Marine variety of inter service rivalry. While we were doing the hump, some Marines from the logistics group were doing a run of some sort and one of them couldn't keep breakfast down. From our ranks came one unrelenting voice harassing him for his inability to keep up with the rest of his PT group. Infantry making their dominance known. Later that day I had lunch with a senior chaplain of my same denomination and got some great advice on how to be an effective chaplain.

Wednesday was moving day for me as my stuff arrived. Still haven't had time to open more than 5 boxes. Had a meeting with the family readiness team later that afternoon and learned a great deal about how to best connect with the families when we deploy.

Friday I flew out to San Luis Obispo to officiate a wedding for a former Junior Officer of mine back in the submarine days. It was a beautiful town and a great time for myself. I got to meet some great people and had some great food and laughs as well. I have an airline I would rather not fly again on my list, but other than that it was a great weekend. Got in late last night and still made it to work and through the whole day without much problems.

Those are just a few highlights of why I love my job so much. Good laughs and ministry with my "congregation" at an intimate level. This week will be my first night out in the field and of course I picked the coldest night of the year to head out there. We'll see how warm the gear they issue really is.

Settling In

2010-11-30T18:29:00.000-08:00

So for the very few of you that drop by from time to time, you have noticed light to non-existent posting lately. It has been quite the whirlwind over the last month as I have checked in, done some house hunting and begun my ministry as a Chaplain to a Marine Infantry unit at Camp Lejeune. I am now sitting in a mostly empty house waiting for the movers to bring stuff in the morning so I can at least get the stuff here before leaving this weekend for a trip to California to perform a wedding for one of my former Junior Officers. Two weddings, two different coastal destinations. Pretty good gig if I say so myself.

I'll probably keep some light posting until I get settled in and then will try and do something weekly, depending on Internet access as NMCI blocks blogger sites so I won't be able to post while away on training. My RP and I are trying to figure out ways to connect with our Marines through technology while out in the field so if you have any suggestions send them our way. Especially if they are ways that can incorporate some of the restrictions imposed by the military. We're looking for ways to keep the families connected with their Marines in an indirect way that is useful and connective.

I'm loving the job and getting adjusted to the physical demands of the job. Luckily, the Marines are pretty forgiving and are responsive to my eagerness to be out there with them. I think that by the end of the year I'll have connected with enough of them to really determine what the needs are and tailor my pastoral care around those needs. Now to get off here and help my body recover from today's early morning hike.

Orders At Last

2010-10-25T18:28:00.000-07:00

I finally received my official orders last Wednesday to Camp Lejeune with the 2nd Marine Division (I've had verbal orders for almost 2 months. Got to love Congress not passing budgets). That means that I'll be the chaplain for an infantry battalion for the next few years. I'm hoping that my arrival times out such that I'll get two deployments during my tour. What has been crazy is the short fuse from orders to reporting. I'm used to getting a few months between receiving orders and the report date, but after a few crazy days it has calmed down a bit and it will be nice to check in and start earning some pay for a change. I report on Friday, but the command has been gracious in allowing me to focus on getting the house in Durham packed and ready for sale as well as finding a place near Lejeune over the next few weeks so I can hit the ground running in mid-November. Luckily there are a number of houses for sale down that way that look promising and are empty meaning I can get a quick closing.

Missing Those Kids

2010-10-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

I have been traveling a bit the last few weeks and haven't really thought of posting during that time. Taking in some Georgia Tech football and a Presbytery meeting along with getting the honor of re-enlisting my little brother a few weeks ago. That was a special moment that I will never forget. Each time I get asked to serve as the re-enlisting officer is an honor and privilege, but to do that for a family member is truly amazing.

But none of these excursions are the reason for this post. The trips were all scheduled with the impression that my official orders would be here by now, but budget issues still keep them held on a computer in Millington away from me. I had hoped the movers would have been here this week, but everything stays on hold while politicians get to take a vacation and tell me they are fighting for me. Oh well. Having to at least plan on the possibility that things would have been rolling by now, I had to quit volunteering at a special place right before I headed on three weeks of traveling around and hence the impetus for this post.

For the entire time I was in seminary I volunteered at the UNC Children's Hospital working in the playroom (with the exception of my time there as a pediatric chaplain intern for dual hat issues). I have to admit I probably learned more about theology and being a pastor in those two hours each Monday morning than during the rest of my time in class each week. I never thought I would enjoy the experience as much as I did. I started there to see if I could handle working with suffering children and their parents. I figured if I could handle those situations and seeing seriously ill children I could probably handle anything. And I did see some horrific physical and emotional situations, but after about a month it was less about me and those situations that just being with those kids. I have vivid memories of those kids, their families, my fellow volunteers, the therapists and nurses that I will never forget. It is my hope and prayer that I keep the lessons from all these people with me throughout my life and ministry and use them to guide my theology when I'm not with them each week.

I had the opportunity to look suffering and despair in the eye on a level that many people will never see. We tend to let people suffer in hospitals isolated and alone, especially those who don't have normal support systems in place. I learned just how important it is to just be there. Those kids didn't care who I was or what I looked like or what I did for a living. They just wanted someone there who wasn't going to talk about the illness or injury unless they wanted to. Maybe they needed someone to yell at or take out their frustrations with through Wii boxing. I learned to see beyond the illness and see the person, which was a lot easier than I expected.

They taught me how to suffer with dignity. They made me translate all the theological language I heard throughout the week into the vernacular. They shaped me as a pastor and person without knowing that is what they were doing. I learned how to be present in horrible circumstances. I learned how to listen. I learned how to share. I saw true wisdom first hand. I learned how to laugh. I learned how to play. I learned how to love. I learned how to smile from deep inside. I learned I dominate in air hockey (two losses in three years). I learned resiliency. I learned how to suffer. I learned how to cry. I learned to open my eyes and see the world around me. I learned what the world looks like from 2ft instead of 6ft. I learned how to use a Wii. I learned that nurses are amazing people that don't get enough recognition. I learned more than I can articulate and will continue to glean lessons from people much younger and wiser than I'll ever be. Perhaps most importantly, I learned who I was.

Man, I miss those kids.

Commissioning (For a 4th Time)

2010-09-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday, September 1st, I was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Navy with a designator of 4100 which means that I am now officially a Chaplain. All that I am awaiting are some official orders and then things can really start to roll and get me to my first duty station. I have a verbal confirmation of my next duty station, but will wait until after I see something on paper before I start getting ready to leave and start the next chapter. So until I report to the duty station, I guess that I am on unpaid leave or something like that. I plan to do a bit of traveling late this month and early next month (LA, Seattle, three GT football games in the ATL and a conference here in Durham) so I have enough to keep me busy besides getting the house ready for an attempt at selling it.

It is really weird to be a LT again, but I guess not as weird as it was being an ENS again. It will be nice going back in as a LT as people expect chaplains at that level to have a bit of experience and thus get afforded a bit more respect, though there will be a smaller margin for the typical mistakes when settling into a new job. The other odd thing is that I may have been commissioned more than any other person I know. First was as a line officer in 1996, then as a 1125 O-4 in the IRR in 2007, then as a Chaplain Candidate ENS in 2007 and now as a Chaplain. Hence the reason for the pictures below not being in whites because I didn't feel that the commissioning needed a big ceremony with it being the 4th time. Plus, staying true to my roots all 4 times the commissioning officer has been a submarine officer, hence the name of the blog.

Apostolic Succession

2010-08-28T19:48:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday I was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). It was a wonderful service in which many different people who have been a big part of my theological training and ordination process were able to participate. What a great honor and privilege to have the service at the congregation that I interned with my first year of seminary, St. Giles Presbyterian in Raleigh, NC. They are such a wonderful congregation that gently taught me how to live into this calling and they really drew out my gifts in ministry. I also stood in awe of the number of people who traveled great distances to be there, some I hadn't seen in over 5 years. Looking back it is pretty humbling as the journey started 6 years ago when I discerned a call to ordained ministry and began in earnest about 4 1/2 years ago when I came under care of FPC Honolulu as an inquirer. After many interviews, cross country trips and exams I now am ordained and awaiting official orders to begin the next chapter of my life as a Navy Chaplain. Next step is the formal commissioning that will occur next week.

The photos below are from the ordination prayer and laying on of hands and a shot of me after the service greeting members of the congregation.

Unsung Heroes

2010-08-18T19:02:00.000-07:00

I was directed to a post today on Blackfive about a song project that involves a group we seldom hear about or even recognize the importance of their work. It is a song called Angel Flight that honors the men and women who fly fallen servicemembers back to the States from combat zones. I first heard about it a few months back and was taken aback by how I really didn't know about them and had taken their mission for granted. I have posted the final video and a behind the scenes segment here as well.

You can purchase the song on iTunes with the proceeds going to support families of the fallen. Seeing this post reminded me that not only do we tend to place the whole idea of combat outside of our daily thoughts, but that there are many groups of unsung heroes across all walks of our lives. And I hope to highlight some of those in future posts. But a number military specific unsung groups came to mind first.

In the process of ordination with an ordaining body on the other side of the country I have personally ridden on flights with fallen Marines and Soldiers as they made their way back home for the final time. And typically forgotten in that trek is the individual(s) that accompanied them along for that journey. Luckily, for a time, they were brought into our national vision through the movie Taking Chance which I highly recommend.

A second group that I was reminded of was that of the Chaplains and Casualty Assistance Officers that are called on to make the initial notification of the death or serious injury of a service member. These individuals take the full force of grief that a family experiences and even must endure anger directed at them as representatives of the government. There was a great book written about one CACO officer in the West titled Final Salute that I also highly recommend for a look into a fairly thankless and time consuming duty that is in addition to one's regular full time job.

I am sure there are many other groups that deserve similar recognition and welcome suggestions for further posts and exploration not just within the military community. But seeing how a majority of my life has been associated with the military, I naturally am drawn to those type of stories.

Worth a Thousand Words

2010-08-12T16:39:00.000-07:00

Official Navy Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Dunlap

This picture conveys much more than I could ever describe to my fellow classmates over the last three years of seminary. I went to a school with a strong current of pacifism running through a large majority of the student body. That's fine and it really broadened my theological perspective and had made me a better thinker on many lines. But for the life of me, I could never really get my point across that a nation as prosperous as ours and with the immense resources that we possess in material and drive needs a strong military. It was difficult to demonstrate how the military does a great deal more than just send people into harms way. The US Military is also one of if not the largest humanitarian aid organization on this planet. Many pacifists I encounter fail to acknowledge that simple fact and don't even want to discuss the non-military benefits of a strong military.

As a submarine officer, I never had the opportunity to participate in a humanitarian relief mission, but I know of several that occurred during my initial time of service Indonesia after the tsunami and Katrina to name a few. But even in bringing those up it was hard to establish with certain classmates the amazing ability of the military to turn on a dime and switch from military missions to humanitarian ones. I am keeping this photo on my computer to help illustrate the point in as clear a vision as I can. This official Navy photo was taken onboard USS Peleliu as two of 19 helos lifted off for Pakistan to help with the relief efforts following the destruction of catastrophic flooding in that country (reports are saying 15+% of the country is under significant levels of water.)

When you think about what this photo is saying, it is truly amazing. We are diverting valuable resources from a military asset in an area in which the US Military is engaged in two separate countries simultaneously to help another nation. A nation with which we are effectively fighting against as they are offering aid to our enemies in Afghanistan. Pakistan is doing a good job playing both sides of the issue and yet we still send our resources to help the citizens of that nation. Resources that could possibly save American lives in theater are being sent to help civilians of a nation that we don't really know is friend or foe. Only a nation with a strong military can accomplish that type of operation. What is truly amazing is that some in this country have derided us for taking too long to divert these resources.

A strong military is the only way we can rapidly get humanitarian aid where it needs to go, regardless of our other commitments, in a rapid manner. This is especially true in remote areas as seen in the Pakistan floods. The military presence across the globe allows us to do just this. And our servicemen and women gladly do this mission in addition to the other requirements they must still meet as this is additional mission requirements. A peacekeeping force can't react this quick (I haven't heard much about a UN response to the catastrophe.) The US military is the only agency that has been able to respond in a fast manner to help those in need. I just hope that in the future I remember this photo and bring it out to tell the story of why we need a strong military in order to help those in need in every part of the world, even the most remote and desperate areas.

This photo is one of the many reasons I am proud to serve and am looking forward to getting back out there soon.

Sermon 8/8/10: Our Hall of Fame Induction

2010-08-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

I got invited to preach today at a congregation where I was an intern my first year of seminary and where I will also get ordained in two weeks. It was great seeing that congregation again, getting back is not something I do very often as they routinely have interns there and I don't want to distract an attention away from the current interns during the year. This was something all the previous interns have done as well and it is great having the freedom to learn who you are without the shadow of previous interns (of whom the congregation all love) around you all the time. The text was Hebrews 11 and I didn't realize until after I had worked through the idea and completed a draft of the sermon that yesterday was the NFL Hall of Fame Induction. Funny how scripture can intertwine with life in interesting ways.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Well that about sums it up. I guess I’ll just stop right here now that we all have a firm grasp on the tough subject of faith. Is faith really that simple? I couldn’t find any other example of a biblical writer attempting to explicitly define faith with the phrase faith is… What makes the writer of this passage so bold as to attempt such an explicit definition of faith? Does he know something that we don’t? It could just be my own weakness but it doesn’t seem quite as simple as hoping for things I can’t see. Luckily, the passage doesn’t just end with the first verse. The writer of Hebrews knew a little about the human condition and it seems that Hebrews 11 is an attempt to define faith through example. Not the writer’s own example but through those who came before.

So let’s take a closer look at who are lifted up as the exemplars of faith that we should follow. We only heard a partial list in today’s Scripture reading so I’ll read the entire list so we can visualize what some call the international faith hall of fame. Pay close attention to the list and see if any names jump out at you. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the Israelites that passed through the Red Sea, the soldiers around Jericho, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, all the prophets, women and martyrs. Were there any names that you didn’t recognize or know from your Bible stories? Any names you perhaps thought unworthy to be in this faith hall of fame?

I understand why we hear the name Abel. The younger brother who offered a beautiful sacrifice that was pleasing to God. He provided the choice lamb of his flock and God noticed and beamed with pride at this beautiful child of God, a reaction that prompted his older brother Cain to murder him. Abel, the first to lose a life because of his faith. Noah’s inclusion is a given. If you’ve seen the recent adaptation of his life, Evan Almighty, you probably have few doubts about his worthiness. Despite year upon year of everyone mocking him for building an unusually large boat in the middle of a dry spell, he kept going and somehow convinced his family to come aboard and lock themselves in with all those filthy and smelly animals for a really long time. Noah, included for following God against the insults of the world.

Abraham makes perfect sense. Here was a simple guy with a family just minding his own business when all of the sudden he hears a voice tell him to leave his country, his kin and his father’s house for a land yet to be determined. He leaves his previous life behind based on a voice that promised to make him a great nation and a blessing for all the earth. Abraham is listed because he turned around for God. Moses is a no brainer for inclusion. He was destined for greatness from birth. God had an eye on this one. He gets set adrift in a river to hide him from death and is found by pharaoh’s daughter and raised as royalty. Then, in a stunning turn of events, Moses remembers his birth heritage and stands up to his adoptive family and brings down plagues to convince pharaoh to “let my people go!” As if this wasn’t enough to warrant inclusion on this list, he then leads an entire nation, is given the Ten Commandments and even gets to feel God’s presence. Moses’ inclusion is for delivering an entire nation from slavery and leading them in following God.

Rahab put her life on the line to protect two Israelite spies in Jericho. She even admitted to housing them to the King of Jericho and then when it was dark she let them out of the city behind those who were pursuing them. Somehow she knew they were from the Lord and that Jericho didn’t have much longer to stand so she asked them to spare her and her family. Rahab welcomed mysterious strangers of the Lord and now stands as a hero of faith. Gideon went and destroyed the altar of Baal. What is amazing about this is that Baal was the god of the Midianites, a powerful nation that was harassing and destroying the economy of the Israelites. This starts a bit of a fight so Gideon set out with 32,000 for the battle but God had other plans. God keeps telling him to leave soldiers behind finally leaving Gideon with 300 with which to defeat the Midianites. And he actually goes forward with God’s plan!

Samson was gifted with extraordinary strength and used it to pull down a building full of Philistines. Unfortunately, this act also entailed the taking of his own life as he was chained to the pillars that he demolished to accomplish the feat. David is the man of God’s own heart. We tend to lift him up as the ultimate leader and the quintessential role model. He reformed Israel as the king. He patiently endured death threats from Saul trying to prevent him from taking his place as the anointed king of Israel. He penned many of the prayers we now know as the Psalms. Samuel was a young boy that could hear God’s voice. In fact, when he first heard God speak, he was the only one who could hear God. Not even Eli, the head priest could hear God.

That leave three individuals that gave me pause when I read the list: Enoch, Barak and Jephthah. I recognized the name Barak for what it means in Hebrew: blessing, but didn’t quite remember what he had done to warrant inclusion in this list. And, maybe because I was sleeping in both Sunday school and my Old Testament class when the names Enoch and Jephthah were mentioned, I had no clue who those two individuals were much less why there were on such a prestigious list. I guess they deserve to be here, don’t they? The writer of Hebrews wouldn’t induct any questionable names or those of little faith into this hall of fame would he? This made me dig around in the Bible for these individuals to learn what great acts they accomplished.

Barak led 10 thousand Israelites into a potential battle based on the words of Deborah, one of the judges of ancient Israel. As we would expect this results in a major victory for Israel and Barak gets recognition on this list for following the commands of God as relayed by someone who heard God’s voice. I can live with his inclusion in the hall of fame; the other two leave me a bit puzzled.

Enoch is reported to have never died, though I’m not so sure of this. In Genesis it just says that he walked with God and after 365 years was no more because God took him. We don’t know what he did to warrant the honor of walking with God, something only really mentioned in relation to Adam and Eve. We do know that he was father to Methuselah, you know Old Methuselah who lived to be 965 years old and he was Noah’s great-grandfather. I guess including Enoch is like including Emily Putich or Alfred Smith in the College Basketball Hall of Fame. Don’t know who they are? Coach K’s mom and Dean Smith’s father. Definitely an induction based on potential.

Jephthah is the most shocking of the list. When I reread his story in Judges I remembered who he was and couldn’t believe that he was included in this list of honor. He was disowned by Israel because of his lineage but in a time of need they called upon him to lead their army. He just kept defeating army after army and gets a little confident of himself or something. He decides to make a vow that if the Lord would hand over Israel’s greatest enemy, the Ammonites, then he would sacrifice the first thing to come out of his house to meet him as a burnt offering. Now nothing in Israel’s belief system would have prompted this brash deal. Well, he won and when he returns home a conquering hero who is the first to come out and greet him? His daughter. His only child. He kept his vow. Later he goes and kills 42 thousand fellow Israelites because they were unable to pronounce a certain word. This guy gets included in this list? Why lift up people like Enoch and Jephthah as examples of good faith?

But, what if that is the point? What if they are as deserving of recognition and the future in Christ as those we see as our heroes of faith? What if they are equals to Abraham, Noah and Moses? I think the writer of Hebrews is making that exact point. In our modern mindset we tend to venerate people, including those on this list, based on their accomplishments. But if we take a closer look at these individuals a different picture of their lives and faith may appear. Abel may not be the innocent child that we picture in our minds. Anyone with a younger brother knows they can be the most annoying and cunning individuals. Believe it or not sometimes they just keep pushing our buttons until we snap. There were times my younger brother did just that and got the reaction he wanted so I would get in trouble. This typical brotherly “love” is captured by an ancient Hebrew midrash depicting Abel as gloating over God’s love incessantly such that Cain just snaps and didn’t realize he had killed the brother he loved. While the fights with my brother didn’t have disastrous consequences, the emotions were similar.

Abraham lied about his wife Sarah, saying she was his sister, to save his own life, committed adultery and cast out his first born son. Ham, one of Noah’s sons embarrassed Noah when Noah was drunk so Noah cursed Ham’s son, who did nothing, to punish Ham. Moses murdered an Egyptian in a fit of rage. Also, while leading Israel in the wilderness he got mad with God and threw a temper tantrum that kept him from entering the Promised Land with the people he led for 40 years. Rahab was a prostitute. Gideon tested God with a fleece. Twice because the first time God demonstrated nature was under God’s command, Gideon felt he needed more proof. Samson used his gifts for all the wrong reasons and purposely married a woman that was forbidden and lived a life of excess and debauchery. David committed adultery and then conspired to kill a man so he could marry his wife. Samuel eventually fell into the ways of Eli and abdicated his authority as judge and prophet in Israel to his sons. In return, his sons performed poorly and were a disgrace leading Israel to loudly demand a king. Samuel’s actions led to a distinct distrust of the people in God’s ability to rule over the land in a fair and just manner.

This is the inaugural class of our faith hall of fame. We have added many more in the last few centuries: Paul, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Bonhoeffer, MLK, Mother Teresa. While we focus on their accomplishments and the fruits of their faith we need to remember that each of these individuals are as flawed as those in the inaugural class and as us. So what do all of these individuals have in common with each other? What do we have in common with those on this list? Just like with most children’s sermons the answer is Jesus. His work on earth and the cross cleared the way for grace to be the dominating factor in our induction into this faith hall of fame. Jesus did what was necessary for all of us to walk around knowing we are inductees into this faith hall of fame also called a priesthood of all believers or even a cloud of witnesses. But we also have to do something. By faith, we have to follow God’s call. It may not be as drastic as Abraham’s dropping everything to travel to a new land, it may be a little more complicated than just living your life like little known Enoch. I don’t think we’ll need to go into battle like Barak or build an ark like Noah. All we have to do is be receptive to God’s working in our lives and God’s speaking to us in many different ways, including through the voices of those sitting in this room.

But, regardless of how God calls us to fulfill God’s purpose on earth, the one thing we do to get inducted into this hall of fame is having the faith to say yes to God. When Jesus walked the earth he put it in one of the most powerful two word phrases ever uttered: “Follow Me!” He didn’t promise anything in this life, in fact he warned of the danger in obeying that command. Many have heard the command and turned the other way because they can’t comprehend not receiving something for following or because the near term consequences overshadow the glorious reward of “an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” Once we agree to follow God and put God at the top of our mind, we are inducted into the faith hall of fame the benefits of which are eternal life and indescribable and incomprehensible rewards at the fulfillment of time. Now that I think about it the writer of Hebrews had it correct by saying that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. By faith, it really is that simple.

Youth In the Church

2010-07-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

While I don't put myself forward as any type of expert in youth and young adult ministry, I have been involved in those types of ministries for a number of years. Frequently, despite the ministry model in which I have worked, participated or watched leaders state that the youth aren't the future of the church but they are, in fact, the present church. While I agree with this sentiment in its pure form it has bothered me over the years, but I just couldn't put my finger on why a statement that I wholeheartedly agree with bothered me. While I was at the Montreat youth conferences again this summer working with as the Work Crew Coordinator (I got to work with college aged young adults in helping do many of the small unseen tasks that make the conference a success as well as lead them in a small group discussion every morning) I again heard that phrase from the leaders of the conference. And then it hit me why that phrase bothers me. From my perspective (and that of the young adults I was working with this summer), those words ring hollow and the youth and young adults from my denomination know it.

The PC(USA) talks a good game about their youth ministry, and to their credit they make great efforts to demonstrate that the youth are an important part of the church right now. We have the Montreat youth conferences for high school aged youth, conferences for middle school aged youth, an impressive college conference that brings in big named speakers, a young adult volunteer program that sends young adults to year long mission experiences and we even include young adults in our General Assembly as advisory delegates, we even ordain some youth and young adults as elders in local congregations (there are many more ways, but I think you get the point). And as I look over that last sentence that I just typed, at first glance it may seem like that is enough. However, we fail in two major ways. First, we tend to have the attitude that after they graduate high school we set them out in the world to find their way and wait for them to return to the denomination (if they don't lose total faith) when they are grown and have children. Secondly, we don't really back up all these programs with any force in how we include youth in our daily lives as congregations. (I know that some congregations are doing phenomenal work but I will take the liberty of making a sweeping generalization based on my wide geographic base of church attendance over the years due to the military and discussion with youth from areas I haven't lived in yet).

We need congregations near college campuses to reach out and embrace every single college student that grew up in the PC(USA). This isn't just supporting campus ministries though they need a great deal of financial support and volunteer leaders and mentors. We need congregations to live into that connectional system we like to brag about and talk with each other as we send youth to new congregations. We also need to do this with all members, but I am focusing on youth and young adults. In fact, the Book of Order outlines how the session should contact the receiving session to help members that move connect with a local worshiping congregation. In all my moves I don't recall that ever happening or even having one session provide a list of congregations in the area. Congregations could work with the campus minister and come in and introduce themselves to the students and offer a Sunday School class or a small group for them outside of their school. They could also volunteer to provide congregation members to serve as mentors or "adoptive parents." I still am in contact with families from congregations that reached out to me as a young adult and made sure I had a church home in every way. In fact, two of those families pitched in together to purchase my robe for my ordination service and beyond. The possibilities are endless and I am confident that if we put the issue before our congregations the need would be filled in a rapid and enthusiastic manner.

The second issue revolves around how we bring youth and young adults into "leadership" positions and then don't treat them in the same manner. This struck me when I looked at the disparity between the number of youth elders at Montreat

Pardon me while I step down from my soapbox.

The End is Near

2010-07-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I cleared the final hurdle in getting ordained as a Navy Chaplain (besides waiting for the Navy paperwork trail to catch up to me) when I went before my presbytery for final verbal examination. I have to admit I was slightly nervous as they can ask any question they feel so moved to do regarding my theology, call, etc. I only received three questions before someone had heard enough and moved to arrest the exam, but I was pleased with the types of questions they asked and how they directly related to my call. One was how I would implement the theology of my statement of faith as a Navy Chaplain (not too bad as my being a Chaplain was a basis for the statement of faith), one on how I would handle a conscientious objector and the other as to how I would handle baptisms with military members in regards to the Presbyterian belief regarding baptism. Apparently they were satisfied with my answers and now I am cleared to get ordained on August 22nd and will then be waiting for all the paper work to clear so I can get back on active duty.

General Assembly and Congress

2010-07-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

So, one other benefit of sitting around waiting to fleet up is that I was actually able to watch most of the PC(USA) General Assembly online last week. As someone who will have both voice and vote in my presbytery in the near future I figured it would be best for me to watch the debate to get a feel of how decisions were made last week when the overtures come to my presbytery next year and I have to vote on approval or disapproval of the issues. I was actually really interested in the debates and had a fairly good time watching it online. I found it amazing that I knew some of the people arguing their cases or leading worship, etc. It proved that the Presbyterian world is a small, small world.

While watching something struck me. What if Congress actually operated in the spirit of the General Assembly? I think things would be more transparent, efficient and even civil. First off I really like the idea of the committee having to defend their decision to accept or deny a certain item coming out of committee. The committee moderator had to stand up and answer questions (with subject matter expert assistance) coming from the assembled delegates. Open and honest in dealing with the work of a committee before coming to the whole body. Can you imagine our elected representatives actually engaging in a true question and answer session on the floor of Congress instead of grandstanding? Imagine the amount of work that can get done. Also contributing to the transparency is that all overtures from individual presbyteries are due by a certain date and every commissioner gets to read the initial overture prior to the convening of the assembly. There aren't many surprises in the agenda. In the outcome and amendments that come out of committee perhaps but not in the general topics.

The General Assembly process is extremely efficient. The moderator of the assembly allows a fairly even distribution of debate on the issue alternating between supporters and detractors of the committee's stance. Each person is given a definite time limit and is promptly cut off when time expires. This forces you to make your point or ask your question in a succinct manner and not waste valuable time. Good debate occurs and many matters are covered. Additionally, there is no hope of extending the session beyond the number of days allotted so everyone stays until the work is done each night. There are no press junkets during the voting sessions so things keep moving with committees reporting in a continuous manner consistent with the schedule. By having to read so much and expecting that every overture must be read by a large number of people, overtures are generally short and everyone is prepared to debate the issue which smooths the process.

Civility is the operative word at General Assembly. Even when people disagree, and this they do well, personal attacks rarely if ever occur. I don't recall any personal attack in the hours of debate on contentious topics that I watched online. Seeing that occur made me proud to belong to a denomination that values civil debate, especially in light of the venom coming from all political sides when watching a debate in Washington or on a show giving voice to political pundits.

How do we get people to believe that a debate can be transparent, efficient and civil? Maybe that is the question we need to ask before we dive in to important debates in our larger society.

Good News and More Waiting

2010-07-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

I found out last week that I will be going back on active duty as a Navy Chaplain, but with a twist. I have to wait until at least October until I get back out in the fleet. So, while I know that I have a job in the future I have to do a bunch more waiting. And it is getting quite tedious and frustrating. But while I have to sit around unemployed for a bit longer (well at least not getting a pay check), it does offer some opportunities. I get to head back to Montreat another week which is something new for me. Usually I only get to go in one block but now I am going back at two separate times doing a job I found I really enjoy. I will get to travel and visit friends a bit more before going back on active duty so that if I get sent overseas I will have been able to see people before that happens. And I get to make sure everything I want to do on the house gets completed as I now have plenty of time for that to happen. Of course, I get to do some serious PT to get ready (once a pulled back muscle heals). I would say I could do some more blogging, but it has never really been a priority of mine so I won't make promises I can't keep. But I will get to tinker with the blog and figure out how to best utilize the internet in general once I get some orders. I want to employ all tools and technology to reach the sailors and Marines that I will serve in a manner that helps them and puts resources at their fingertips. I plan to post my personal sermons in this space and use this as an outlet to minister to those of my faith group. I also envision a blog for the command to which I will arrive that will have resources for all faiths and is accessible from the field and afar so everyone can sustain their faith in a substantial way. If the few who read this have suggestions feel free to offer them here.

Reflecting on Seminary (or Learning How To Wait)

2010-06-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

So, the Navy delayed the board that decides my entry into Active Duty or the Reserves leaving me with two more weeks of waiting on where the next chapter of my life takes me. This has provided me with an opportunity to do some things I probably wouldn't have been able to do over the last few weeks. I got to travel to Hawaii to see a good friend get married. The time has allowed me to put quite a dent in the stack of books sitting on my desk that seminary did not afford me the time to read (fiction and military history being the largest categories I am tackling.) I have been working on the house, finally getting to some home improvements I was putting off and also dealing with a bunch of things that happened to break in the last week. Next I head to DC to visit some old roommates and then off to Montreat again this summer but this time I will get to work with college students that are helping out the conference. But more than anything else I have been able to reflect on the last three years and what this time meant for me and my future ministry.

One major thing I have realized in this period of reflection is what seminary taught me and what the three years taught me. Seminary, for the most part, was not where I learned how to articulate my theology or how to engage the world in a theological manner. This is not to say the time was wasted or to discourage others from the process. Seminary provided a great venue for me to learn how to think and write in a completely different manner than I had learned during my engineering studies and my role in the submarine force. I didn't realize I could read or write that much in a week. Not only did I learn how to write in a manner that would fit an academic context, but I also learned in my preaching classes how to write and speak to the context in which I would find myself whatever that would eventually look like. I also learned that there is not singular theology to which we should all follow. I think we all come out of seminary, or even from a particular congregation, with slightly different ways of speaking of God and our encounters with God. The wide variety of reading in seminary showed me that in a stark way as they all have a slightly different take on the subject. But none of these things really helped me to articulate my theology in a way others would understand.

I have to admit that I learned theology outside the confines of classes. There were times in which my fellow students debated what I believed and I learned how to articulate theology to those fluent in the lingo. But I had to work in congregations to learn how to articulate theological themes, which can get quite complex, to those without the vocabulary. Children taught me how to explain those complex themes in powerful ways that we can all understand. My experience with kids shows they understand theology in a deeper and more powerful way than those of us "educated" folks. The way they describe things cuts away the fluff we like to put on those themes. But perhaps the place I really learned about theology was working at a children's hospital for the last three years as a volunteer. They didn't care why I was there, only that I was there with them in that moment. I entered into extreme suffering and extreme joy and learned how to feel comfortable in both emotions and that God is definitely in both of those spaces. I learned that every interaction with another person is a sacred moment and that God is there in all of the relationships that I made with the children and their families. I learned theology in the extremes and in the uncomfortable places of life not in the comfortable place I found myself in the sub force. Now I have to wait and reflect some more before God sends me out to the extremes of life again to learn more theology in a different context and to pass on the lessons I learned over the last three years.

Where's The Grace

2010-05-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

There was a small blip in the news last Wednesday that caught my attention. A group of 40 retired military chaplains sent a letter to the President regarding repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. They are decidedly against the change in policy saying that it would "threaten the religious liberty of chaplains and Service members." As someone who is planning to become a military chaplain in the near future, and like the writers of the letters is not prohibited from speaking on the subject, I don't quite get what they mean. Allowing someone of a sexual orientation you don't agree with doesn't affect your liberty in anyway. To support this claim they use end of the world scenarios that would occur if we follow a steep and slippery slope. There are homosexuals serving in the military right now and chaplains minister to them in a caring and compassionate manner right now and keep the information, like all conversations with the chaplain, privileged.

They make an argument that repeal of DADT would water down their faith. Last time I checked the message of grace was central to the Christian faith. Plus, we all sin and are in desperate need of the grace provided through Christ. That's kind of what Easter is about. Each of these chaplains that signed the letter are sinners and probably acknowledge that every time they perform a worship service in a prayer of confession. As one who is of the Reformed tradition, which many of the signers are as well, it is pretty much a staple of the worship service. The chaplaincy allows us to conduct a worship service in a manner consistent with our own religious beliefs and thus prevents any watering down of our faith through services we conduct. Granted, public services have a different standard, but that is to be expected based on the pluarlistic nature of the military. Plus, don't these chaplains have to sit through services not in their own tradition when someone else is at the pulpit or they are monitoring the quality of service provided by their lay leaders.

What really worries me about this letter is that many of the signers are endorsers for their faith groups. What this means is that if they so choose, they can pull endorsements of their chaplains leaving a large number of gaps in the manning, thus removing chaplain support and causing the problem of service members lacking ministry support, something they claim will occur if DADT is repealed. I suggest they just let their chaplains serve and navigate the murky waters of this issue like every other aspect of our lives. It will take prayer, relationships with other chaplains and lay persons and most of all a lot of grace. The focus should be on providing ministry to the best of our ability, according to our gifts, to every Sailor and Marine that crosses our path regardless of their situation, faith or sexuality.

That Was Loud

2010-04-07T02:32:00.000-07:00

So I got to watch the national championship game on Monday night in Cameron Indoor with about 5,000 other Duke students. Needless to say it was pretty amazing and the loudest I have ever heard Cameron. The ability to watch big time college athletics while in seminary was a reason to attend Duke in the first place and I really haven't been disappointed at all in that aspect, especially because I could drive down to Atlanta and watch Georgia Tech in football to get the full fix of sports as Duke hasn't quite gotten there for football yet. The crowd just doesn't get into it yet, but that will come.

It was nice to be on campus when the school I attended competed for and then won a national championship in a major division 1 sport. It was a nice way to go out this year by having an experience that not many people get to witness and participate in. I think maybe they need to kick the alumni out of Cameron a few times a year and fill it with students to completely overwhelm opponents with the crowd noise. At times it was deafening and made me wonder why alumni don't feel the need to cheer and get into the games. Oh well, I guess that happens as we get older.

Congrats Duke and I hope you get there again next year.

One Step Closer

2010-04-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

Seeing how school work has been keeping me quite busy lately, I figured during my night off from school to focus on the Final Four would be a good time for a quick post to update the ordination status. A few weeks ago, I was deemed certified ready for a call. This basically means I have met all the requirements to officially look for a job and to have my resume for the denomination posted online. I still need to find a job in order to get ordained, so there is still more waiting. I have an endorsement from my denomination to enter as an active duty chaplain upon graduation and pending my ordination, so right now I am really just waiting to graduate (4 weeks and 4 papers away) and have the Navy board approve my application. Once that happens, I get to go back to the presbytery and get final approval for ordination, then it is off to wherever the Navy sends me.

Now if I can just find some motivation for school in these last few weeks it will make the wait less frustrating.

Finally!

2010-03-07T18:37:00.000-08:00

I have been fortunate to attend the Duke-UNC basketball game at Cameron Indoor stadium the last three years. One of the benefits of going to grad school at Duke. I can still remember the sheer joy of actually being able to be there the first time two years ago. It was something I had always wanted to see and experience. However, the first two years ended up with Duke on the losing end. This year things pointed to us having a win with Carolina being in a major down year and Duke playing great as of late. Luckily it all worked out the way I had intended and the last game I will probably attend at Cameron, cause I don't think a Chaplain is ever going to wind up with the cash to attend the UNC game. We won 82-50 and here are some photos from the evening.

First, Dickie V crowd surfing before the game

Singler making some of his 25 points

The bonfire afterwards on the main quad

The Future Looks Bright

2010-01-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

And I am not just talking about my future though I am excited as I begin my last semester of seminary this week. The last three years have flown by, but I digress. I am talking about the future in general. As someone who is specializing in ministry to youth and young adults, the prime age of most in the military, I tend to work with those who will be shaping the policies and daily things in our lives over the next few decades. What I have found interesting is how many people as they get to my age, but mostly those a few decades older seem to think that the younger generation will not live up to their own accomplishments. I haven't been able to see much of a difference on a macro scale that others with more wisdom and age claim. On the micro and individual scale I do meet many younger people that leave a lot to be desired. I have also come to realize that my views may be a bit skewed due to my extensive work with youth and young adults that is long term in nature. But it still doesn't prevent me from defending those who are coming into their own right now. They have changed my life and will soon have that effect on others as they go forth in the world. This weekend showed me that there are many bright spots out there beyond just my own circle of youth and young adults that I work with.

I had the privilege of interviewing a number of high school seniors this weekend for a highly selective scholarship at Georgia Tech. I have never met or heard of any of these students before so they were definitely outside of my circle of youth. And from what I heard from these students, the world is definitely in some pretty good hands. They will not all go to Tech nor will they all get a scholarship there but they each have some great enthusiasm and energy to make their mark on the world and each in a different field and for different reasons. There were a few that humbled me in what they have already accomplished at a young age and just how amazing they are compared to me now, much less when I was back in high school. It was a pleasure to have a vivid reminder of just how amazing the youth that we run into truly are. Sometimes I get used to the wonderful students that I work with and think that I get to work with all the good ones when in fact they are just a sample of the talent in the youth and young adults all around us. Now if I can just figure out a way to make the church understand and tap that talent, I think things would be better not just for the church but for the world in general.

Time Flies By

2009-12-26T17:28:00.000-08:00

It kind of hit me today that I only have one more semester left before finishing this whole seminary thing and I can't believe how fast the last two and a half years have flown by. This also reminded me of how much work towards ordination I need to complete in the next few weeks. I have to fill out the necessary paperwork for three bureaucracies so I can get interviews for them all. And it has to be done in a certain sequence so that it all fits together nicely. Hopefully, by the end of July it will all be done and I will just be waiting for orders of where to start the next phase of my military career.

I am also excited about the future chapter and that makes the necessary pain of all this work easier to bear. I can't wait to get it all done and then get out there as a full Chaplain and see fruits of the last few years of work and lack of income. It is also going to be nice as I get a four day weekend each week because I am only in class Monday-Wednesday next semester. Don't know how I got that lucky, but I won't complain too much. What is even more exciting is that I won't have an internship next semester, so I might actually have a lot of free time to work on this stuff and also to get out and see some of the more out of the way places of NC and also to go visit friends in neighboring states.

It Finally Hit Me

2009-11-16T17:33:00.000-08:00

It took a few days to finally realize that a mentor and friend in this seminary journey to becoming a Chaplain passed away on Saturday morning. David was my Hebrew instructor my first year here and he was only 38. He was jogging like he was wont to do, he lived in my neighborhood before he left to be a missionary Old Testament professor in Brazil, and had a heart attack. He was having issues getting a visa so was in Atlanta preparing and waiting. We had planned to go to a football game on Nov 7th with his two oldest sons, but he and the family went out of town that weekend. I got the call while out at dinner with non-seminary friends and it didn't fully register until tonight.

I really didn't like David the first few weeks of class. He was dead panned and seemed to have no care for us or any sense of humor. I thought about dropping the class or switching sections. Something told me to stick it out. Our class of 20 dwindled to 8. It seemed ominous. Then we got to know him. He was one of the most caring and able teachers I have ever had. He never gave up on me learning Hebrew. I know that had it not been for David I would have thrown in the towel. I literally remember throwing my books and notes a few times that first semester. He loved teaching, loved Hebrew, loved the Old Testament and it showed. He taught me a new way to read the Bible and a new way to preach what I was reading. He stuck with me and kept helping me out, despite all my frustration and complaining. He saw what I didn't. I came to love Hebrew. After that first semester, I made great grades in Hebrew. I even chose to exegete Psalms for my ordination exams and did fairly well. I never would have had the confidence to tackle Hebrew if not for him.

But it wasn't just the Hebrew class that got my respect. He really, deeply cared for each of us and always wanted to make sure we were doing well. I was glad to live down the road from him. I got to know him and his family, he had a wife and 4 wonderful kids. They would occasionally stop by when walking the neighborhood and always would take time to talk with me when we passed each other running in the area. Great people. It makes you realize how fragile this whole life thing really is. I knew that from working in the hospital, but when someone close dies it hits a bit harder.

David, you will be missed and the world is groaning a little without you here. However, you are now talking with the Biblical characters you so loved.

On The 11th Day of the 11th Month

2009-11-11T16:25:00.000-08:00

I think this photo from the WWII memorial sums it up better than I can. A veteran paying respects to his fallen brothers in arms. Thank you to all who have served.

"Sir you are the craziest Chaplain I have ever met"

2009-06-23T16:27:00.000-07:00

So said a Gunnery Sergeant yesterday as I was getting ready to run a 5 mile run with the candidates at 0530. I asked him why he said that and he told me he had never encountered a Chaplain that routinely ran and hiked with his unit. I thanked him for the compliment, but when I got back home yesterday that comment really bothered me. I really enjoyed the compliment and am thankful that the Gunnery Sergeant at Chaplain School was adamant about the need to PT with your unit in order to get the street cred to minister to Marines. I took that advice to heart and it is paying great dividends this summer. The more I PT and hang with the unit, the more they feel comfortable talking with me. The respect I get from these runs and hikes allows me to do my ministry in a more effective manner.

The real rub of the conversation was the fact that this senior enlisted Marine doesn't remember his Chaplain walking alongside the unit. That really began to bother me and the more I think about it the more it pains me that some Chaplains let down their units and decide to minister on their terms and schedule not that of their congregation. This may work when one is with a standard parish, but the congregation for a Chaplain just doesn't work that way. They have to see the Chaplain as one of them who is not there only when things go bad. I had another experience along the same lines last week when visiting a candidate at medical. A group of Marines made the joke that their quarantine watch was no longer necessary because if I was there it was a dire situation.

I now know that part of my goal when I finally get back to active duty is to change these stereotypes. We should minister in a way that it is normal to see the Chaplain at every PT session and hike. The Chaplain should be present in all aspects of the life of the unit, just as a normal parish pastor is present in the joys and sorrows of the congregation. At dinner with a friend on Sunday she commented on how similar my experience this summer was to the manner in which Jesus ministered, walking with people in their lives regardless of their situation. I have to admit, her comment really made sense and convicted me to work with my colleagues to limit the number of senior Marines that have limited interaction with their Chaplains.

The last two weeks have been amazing and I am learning a great deal from my Marines. I see such dedication from both staff and student and it drives me during some tough PT sessions. I have seen people in tears pushing through the frustration and pain to complete tasks. I have seen acts of selflessness that show me ways that I fail in that area. Lessons and images that I will carry with me forever. And as one would expect, I have learned new ways of exercising that will keep me fit without the need for a gym. These few weeks are definitely a highlight of my Naval career and I can't wait to get out there full time with the Marines.

OCS Week 1

2009-06-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

No I am not a candidate at OCS here in Quantico, I am actually on staff for the next few weeks for some summer training as a Chaplain. I have been assigned to two companies of officer candidates to serve as a semi-Chaplain since I can't do everything a Chaplain does, but it has been a great first week. I can really see myself doing this job for the rest of my working life.

I was able to see the candidates on their first day when the DI's picked them up from the orientation leaders and have been alongside them in many evolutions since then. I have been doing some heavy PT that I have to arrive at around 0510 in the morning to get the brief and get ready to run, etc. I will be going out in the field with the companies, doing the hikes and such with them. I have been sitting in on their classes and of course helping out with worship here on base for the candidates. Today was great seeing about 700 people at worship, even if some of them were just there to catch a few moments of shut eye.

Catching Up

2009-05-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been a while since the last post. It was a busy semester that is now done and I am officially 2/3 of the way done with seminary. I am so ready to get back to doing work everyday. I have learned that I am better off doing things than talking about them. At least next semester I get to do Clinical Pastoral Education at a local hospital and that should be a good balance to the talking of the classes. A weird thing happened this semester however. It was my busiest and most difficult semester but I got the best grades so far. I guess that was the submarine training in me coming out as I played up to the competition.

In other things, I am now officially a candidate for ordination as my presbytery approved me last week. Now I just need to actually buckle down and study for the ordination exams coming up in August. If I pass those I am just some paperwork and interviews away from ordination. Oh yeah and I have to find a job, but the Navy paperwork shouldn't be too difficult. I get to head to Quantico at the end of the month for 6 weeks of training by working as a Chaplain U/I with a company of officer candidates at USMC OCS. I am extremely excited about that and actually know a few of the DI's heading there and my dad knows a few of the candidates heading up that way.

But before all that I get to spend time cheering on Georgia Tech at the ACC Baseball tourney that is here in Durham for the next five days. Plus, Duke made the tourney and is in the opposite group so I can cheer for them both. The fun all starts tomorrow at noon. I think we are heading to two games a day including each 8pm game for all 4 days. It is nice getting a 1/2 off discount because of being a student. It is nice to actually get a significant amount of relaxation time this summer that I didn't get last year.

More Evidence that I haven't really left the Navy

2009-04-06T19:49:00.000-07:00

When I was in the Navy there were little books floating around full of quotes and other stupid and silly things done by various members of the crew. The wardroom had on as did the Nukes and the forward guys also kept one floating around. My first ship had one in the wardroom that was started upon commissioning and was still around. The second ship needed some coaxing to find and start one upon leaving the shipyard. These things were vital in crew morale as they provided a great outlet for us to immortalize the humorous and to attack the powers that be. As technology developed, so did the format of these logs. Some are now online with the names changed to protect the guilty. Unfortunately, these blogs get shut down from time to time for one reason or another.

As I have postulated before, there are times when I think that seminary is more like the Navy than the Navy, yet again something smacks of Dejavu. A blog has arisen from the life of Duke Divinity School that is absolutely hilarious. This blog is a satire of things that go on in the life of our community and is a necessary outlet for our frustrations. I think the administration is none too happy with the blog. I just hope they understand the power of satire and don't get too heavy handed and try to ferret out the authors. The student body, for the most part, recognizes the benefit of this and it has really got the ear of us all. I leave the link here for you to peruse at your convenience. Like much satire, you may not get it all, but the letter to Coach K should make you laugh regardless.

Alternative Spring Break

2009-03-17T19:48:00.000-07:00

So I did my first ever mission trip over spring break last week. I had the opportunity to take a group of local college students from my internship to Houma, LA to do some work with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. I have to admit, the PDA people seem to have the whole operation down to a science. You pay about $20 day for food and lodging in what they call a pod. That is short for laminated corrugated cardboard tents. They did have hot water showers and a dining facility. It was extremely comfortable and was kind of like upscale camping. There were other students at the camp from California, New Jersey, Tennessee and New York. It was great getting to know people from all over the country and that provided a great experience for all of the students from our group.

The work was a bit different. Usually the groups go and do heavy demolition or construction for homeowners that have pretty much exhausted all FEMA options and didn't have any insurance. PDA provides labor and some materials and most importantly sitting with the owners and providing someone to talk with developing a relationship. We didn't do any of the construction work. We helped move elderly individuals back into their apartments at Bayou Towers in Houma.

This building is section 8 housing and the roof blew off during Ike and Gustav and had been closed for the last 7 months. We were busy cleaning with the residents and preparing other rooms for them to return back to. They hadn't seen their rooms until last week so we were there when they returned and that in itself was pretty powerful. Many stories and relationships with the residents came from the experience and I can truly say it was life forming for all involved on a multitude of levels. As for the management and the conditions that we saw in the buildings, I am still trying to wrap my mind around how poorly run the whole building was and the way in which the residents were treated was appalling, but don't quite yet know how to put those things into words.

Now back to studying. Hopefully it won't be a month between posts but it is a crazy semester.

At Least I Was There

2009-02-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

I know this is a few days late, but I had a lot of work to make up after the Duke UNC basketball game on Wednesday. Unfortunately we lost, but it was a good game and I was in Cameron so that is all that really mattered. Hopefully we will win next year. Anyways, here are a few photos from the game:

Carolina entering Cameron from the locker rooms:

A shot of the action:

Starting Lineups:

Dickie V arriving and hanging with a few of the Grad students in line for the game:

The remnants of K Ville, the Duke student refugee camp for tickets:

Exercise + Donuts = Insanity

2009-02-08T17:25:00.001-08:00

So I took a small study break yesterday morning and headed over to the NC State campus for the craziest running event I have ever seen. The Krispy Kreme Challenge. I did this last year as well and really enjoyed the idea and watching everything in action. Plus, all the proceeds go to the UNC Children's Hospital ($35K to be exact). As a disclaimer, I didn't attempt the full challenge, I just go to watch and get a little exercise.

So for those brave enough to give it a go:

Run 2 miles from the NC State Belltower (a local landmark) to the Krispy Kreme
Eat a dozen Krispy Kremes (cold ones)
Run 2 miles back
Do it in less than 60 minutes

You can just imagine what happens to most of the participants and there was plenty of evidence on the street. I have put a few photos from the event below. I must say, it is nice to go to a race that the overwhelming majority don't really care about the time. There are always creative costumes and team names and everyone I met was friendly and joking around the entire run. I even met some USNA types that had gotten liberty just to come and run the race. I plan to run again next year to watch and help out the kids.

Festivities at the Krispy Kreme

People eating their donuts, notice the guy with the duct tape, he taped speakers and an iPod to his body to provide tunes for everyone on the race course.

5200 runners lining up. You can see some of the costumes in the crowd.

This is just plain funny

2009-02-04T19:35:00.001-08:00

A friend told me about this segment on Ellen and it is just too funny to not attempt to spread around the internet. I laughed so hard and Ellen's reaction to the comment "I love Jesus but I drink a little" is priceless.

Presbytery Fun

2009-02-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

So I got back from LA and the Presbytery meeting late Sunday night. Then I spent all day yesterday and today playing catch up from the trip. I now feel back on track. Amazing what a short weekend trip can do to the study habits. I did get to see some great friends, two of whom are leaving in a few months that I will really miss when I travel out there next school year. I did get to satisfy my Jamba Juice addiction, there aren't any out here, and really enjoyed the 70 degree weather. Especially seeing how it is in the teens tonight with a good chance of snow.

Some observations on the meeting. It confirms my suspicion that the PCUSA is just spinning it's wheels around the wrong issue. I posted about it already on this blog. I just think that we are focusing on the symptoms and not the root cause of the denomination losing its focus. There was a meeting here in Durham about an upcoming amendment regarding ordination standards and the wording was so weak that it would pass the lawyer test, but doesn't really change anything or say anything. I guess, it is just more ambiguity for pastors to navigate in explaining what it means to be Presbyterian.

On a positive note, I got a good feel for what it will be like going for candidacy later this year and ordination next year. We had a number of individuals hit those marks on Saturday and I am confident in my ability to navigate the landmines in the process. Now just to pass the exams in August. I was also very impressed by the theological care and debate around the ecumenical statements that the church proposed. It was nice to see something honestly debated and voted on and then everyone going about their business after the vote. Hopefully that trend continues when they vote on the ordination standards later this year.

Perhaps the most amusing thing occurred on Friday night when there was a high speed chase on the 91 in LA. It started at 2217, but the TV stations didn't go live until 2300 and then kept it live until the arrest at 2332, just in time for Leno and Letterman. It was riveting TV with the commentator in the helicopter narrating and getting everyone excited for the pit maneuver that never happened. The driver hit the wall on his own and then slowed down to a stop and got arrested. Got to love LA in January. Last year, I got to watch the Griffith Park fire on TV all night. Come to think of it, I haven't seen a full news cast at night out there in a while due to crazy events.

Well, time to relax a bit before getting some shut eye and try to catch up on lost sleep.

Submarine Community

2009-01-29T19:45:00.001-08:00

Last semester I wrote a paper on how the sub force really displayed the basics of discipline that many churches will never have the guts to seek. As I wrote that paper, I started to develop a mental list of other areas that the military could inform the church on. Granted many of the ideas will be based on my Submarine experience, but as I get into the Chaplain community, I am pretty sure that these ideas will encompass most of the other warfare communities and service branches I work with/in.

I was browsing a submarine blog yesterday and ran across a post that discussed the basis for respect and authority in the submarine world. I knew that only one's ability to perform was the basis for true authority and respect in that world and I am pretty sure that if the church focused on granting the same criteron, who knows how things would turn out. I am thinking there is a very large paper in this somewhere. Maybe later when I have time, if that ever happens again.

I needed this....

2009-01-23T18:30:00.001-08:00

A friend posted this on his facebook account yesterday and it couldn't have come at a more opportune time. On Wednesday I had to endure a dedicated pacifist hold court in a small group discussion of our ethics class. Now, in all honesty, I appreciate and want pacifists in the world. They provide a great check on some of the horrors of war and violence. What really torqued me about this guy was his close-mindedness and how he was spouting off about how if you aren't of his belief you aren't really Christian. Talk like that does wonders to further your argument. Luckily, we will have more opportunities to discuss items and hopefully he will start to let others talk. But, this photo really summed up my feelings and gave me quite a laugh yesterday. Maybe I will email it to him at the end of the course. He needs to know that he can mouth off and be close minded because of a number of people laying it all on the line for his rights.

Let It Snow

2009-01-19T14:04:00.000-08:00

After freezing here in Durham for the last week, we might actually catch a break and enjoy some snow overnight. They are predicting from 2-5" for this area and I can't wait. Even if school doesn't get canceled, it doesn't matter. I just want to throw a few snowballs and see some snow finally. I lived in Hawaii for so long I have only seen substantial snow when driving across country or on ski slopes since I joined the Navy in 1996. I hear it snows during the winter, but have forgotten since my childhood. I think the last snow over 1" that I saw was in 2003 at Snowshoe and other than that it was in 1993 in Atlanta. So I say bring it.

Update 29 January

So I had serious camera issues but here are photos from last week.

This Could Get Interesting for Some Chaplains

2009-01-16T15:15:00.000-08:00

Today while listening to the news, I heard that Obama's Press Secretary told a Youtube Q&A session that he would repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for the US Military. That made me think back to a conversation I had with an Active Duty Chaplain after the election in November.

First: I personally don't care about anyone's sexual orientation whom I serve with or have served with in the past. When I was on the boat, the only thing I cared about was if a certain individual would be able to back me up when needed and not do anything to endanger my life or the lives of the others on board. For me it was that simple. During qualification boards, the only question I asked to determine their worthiness to wear fish was, "Is this guy going to keep all of us safe in any situation no matter how dire?" If I felt he would, he got my vote. If not, back to studying.

Second: This post is not about discussing the pros and cons of the present policy or for the repeal of that policy. I am only discussing the ramifications for an already significant shortage of Navy Chaplains (other services have them too, but out of my lane).

After the election, I was discussing how I was certain that Obama would repeal the policy within the first 100 days of his administration. I never expected the announcement to come before the inauguration. I just assumed it would be buried in some obscure bill and would just happen overnight. When my fellow member of the Chaplain Corps and I were discussing this, we pondered the effect of repealing that policy and allowing openly gay individuals to serve would have on certain denominations. Many denominations still have issues with ordained women, something I witnessed at Chaplain School. Mostly they behave in a passive aggressive mode or just completely ignore the women. The women in my class were understandably frustrated at this kind of behavior.

So, we discussed some possibilities for Chaplains of denominations that are openly hostile to the idea of homosexuality, much less allowing gays to serve openly.

1) They just resign over the issue, or at least leave the military after their commitment is over.

2) Their denomination pulls all of their endorsements over the issue. This would result in losing a certain number of Chaplains overnight as when you lose your endorsement, you are done as a Chaplain. Doubt this would happen, but it is not unforeseeable.

3) They stay in the military and try to convert people back to being straight. The military does have policy in place to deal with this behavior, so if it happens would bring swift punishment.

4) They stay in and refuse to even minister to openly gay members. They would have policy behind them:

SECNAVINST 1730.7B

Chaplains shall not be assigned collateral duties which violate the religious practices of the chaplain’s faith group, require services as director, solicitor, or treasurer of funds other than administrator of a Religious Offering Fund, serve on a court-martial or stand watches other than that of duty chaplain.

OPNAVINST 1730.1D
Chaplains shall not be assigned duties that violate noncombatant status or the religious practices of the chaplain’s religious organization, undermine privileged communication, as defined in reference (m), or involve the management of funds other than the ROF.

or,

5) The best option in my opinion: They continue to do their jobs and minister to every individual in their care.

It is my prayer that #5 proves to be the option all individuals with a theological stance against gays utilize. This defines ministry and it is what all Chaplains are called to do.

The second interesting thing about all this is what happens to the force if a large number of Chaplains leave over this issue? The mainline denominations have done a good job keeping people out of military ministry through their explicit or implicit behavior towards the military on either theological, or more recently political views. The mainline denominations have let this important ministry opportunity pass them by and that has significantly changed the demographics of the military and the church. So, when a large number of Chaplains jump ship, there is no one around from other denominations ready to fill the gap because they misunderstand what military ministry is all about.

Just my thoughts. It should be interesting to watch it play out over the next few months.

A Decisive Victory, Finally!

2009-01-13T18:54:00.000-08:00

Finally, in our 4th season over two years of outdoor and indoor soccer, my divinity school team achieved an overwhelming victory in soccer (11-3). The scores are much higher in indoor as the momentum can change instantly and a rash of goals can erase any kind of lead. For reference, we only scored 6 goals all season last year. I even scored 2 and haven't scored a goal in over 5 years because I normally play defense. We are still only 1-1 in this season and have had a few times around .500 in other seasons, so I am cautiously optimistic about our chances to finally earn a playoff spot. I find this amazing because we never load the team with ringers and people outside our program like many of our competitors seem to feel the need to do all to win a simple and cheap T-shirt.

One Reason Why Seminary at Duke is Great

2009-01-07T19:18:00.001-08:00

Great Basketball and the ability to have some great seats in which to watch said sport. It is nice to see Duke at #2 right now. Hopefully that will continue this season (At least until Georgia Tech). I know Tech probably is a long shot at a win, but one can dream.

Way to Go Buffy!

2009-01-06T12:38:00.000-08:00

Congrats to my old ship, USS Buffalo on winning the Submarine Squadron 15 Battle "E" for 2008. For those not familiar, it is presented to one ship in each squadron every year for overall excellence in doing the job we get paid to do. Unfortunately, I don't get to share in this award as I transferred a year too early. It seems that I leave ships the year before they win the award. For a list of all other winners in the force and the individual category winners a blogger named Blunoz has both lists for everyone to view. Again, good job to my old shipmates and keep up the good work. You have deserved this for a few years now.

Jack of All Trades, Master of None

2009-01-05T19:42:00.000-08:00

For all the submarine type readers, I have to disappoint you in this post as the title actually describes my estimation of the PCUSA denomination. There are many similarities between the two behemoth organizations and I will mention a few of them here. I spent the last few days at the Montreat College Conference and got to hear an amazing keynote by Congressman John Lewis. His book just doesn't do justice to hearing his powerful story in person. What an amazing man with a phenomenal story that evokes confidence and hope in humanity.

I don't want to focus on his story, because I could never do it justice, but a common thread I noticed in listening to two leaders of my denomination. One was the moderator and the other the head staffer of the church for Campus ministry. Many people think the denomination will fracture and split over issues that are in the press for all denominations. However, after following the discussion for a few years and applying some good old submarine thinking of root causes. I think the root cause is a lack of denominational identity.

Whenever a proposal or issue rises to the top of the denomination at the General Assembly, it seems the PCUSA decides to take it on and study the issue. They then release a report and say it is on their radar. There are a myriad of issues which follow this pattern. What happens is that precious resources of time, talent and money are thrown at all sorts of issues and all of them important to some group of people. I appreciate acknowledging everyone's worth in the body. However, with so many issues to grapple with everyone suffers.

Take campus ministry for example. I think they said there were 64 universities affiliated with the denomination and another significant number that have campus ministers. However, as the resources have dwindled, the church as significantly reduced their support for nurturing the members who are in college. The conference is a start, but really a band aid and political gesture so show the denomination cares as no real support stems from the conference. Kind of like a steinke hood. There is no real movement or support for college ministry because there are too many things to occupy the denominational offices.

This is similar to one complaint many submariners make about the sub force, myself included. The sub force, around the same time of the Greeneville collision, decided to make everyone experts in every single mission area a submarine could possibly encounter. When I was a Junior Officer out in Pearl, each squadron focused on one or two mission areas and everyone knew what the squadron's main mission was. We learned basic competency in each area, but became experts in a few areas. We felt confident in our ability and overall mission impact and accomplishment. This new focus puts a great strain on the entire force to excel in so many areas that the overall performance seemed to suffer. There is no way to be the best in everything imaginable, humans are designed that way.

Thinking about the church, a denomination can't do it all and shouldn't try. We are told the church is a body with every person having a distinct function. Congregations and denominations are no different. This doesn't mean that my function is more important or vital to the overall body. If I am the hand, I can't be the eyes but I do appreciate what the eyes accomplish. Each denomination seems to be wanting to be the sole expert in every possible function of the universal church and that just seems absurd. This all got me to thinking what would be a good model for a denomination.

Well, maybe the PCUSA needs to spend the time at General Assembly prayerfully discerning what the denomination is called to act upon for the next two years until the next meeting. The church should make a statement of what their vision is and actively work toward that vision. I think they should take a stand and stake a claim to a certain number of issues/movements and put all of their effort into that. This is not to say that individual congregations can't work on their own. They should as each congregation needs to discern their place in the world. But if an outsider can't determine what issues are truly important to the denomination, they will leave it aside. In my experience, churches that succeed, and by extension denominations, are those that you know what they stand for. If you don't agree with their views you respect them and move on, if you agree you stand with them. There is an old saying, if you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.

That being said, the other issue is that if a congregation wants to leave let them. Sign over the property recognizing they are our Christian brothers and sisters. Just because people are in different places theologically doesn't mean we can treat them as enemies. Let them go in love and make sure the path back to the denomination is just as loving if the priorities align once again. I just think that all sides on these denominational issues are looking for the complicated answers when the simple answer is usually the correct one. This idea, while still rough keeps the ability to be a theologically diverse organization, but still allows for a graceful exit for those who don't agree. People on the outside look at our behavior and turn away for good. We need to set the example and put aside our pride and take a stand on living a life of love for everyone.

My two cents.

One Benefit of Being a Student Again

2009-01-01T19:07:00.000-08:00

Traveling!

I am home for a short 24 hour break in travels. I have been able to accomplish a great deal over the last 18 months, especially the last semester now that I don't have a church I work in right now. I was down in Atlanta yesterday for the Peach Bowl where my Yellow Jackets were soundly thumped by LSU. Special teams and a lack of defense contributed to the embarrassment. However, I can deal with the loss. I had a great time visiting friends and just being at the bowl game. We did not get to a single bowl game in my time at Tech, even going 1-10 one season, so I am glad to attend any game. What I like about this photo is the Chick-Fil-A cows that were parachuting from the ceiling before the game started.

In the second half, the engineering side of the home crowd took over as the game was quite boring by that time. So, the Tech students began to make paper airplanes out of the sheets of paper placed in every seat at the Dome. There was one that went from the upper level in the end zone out to the 30 yard line. It took a little while, then the LSU fans got into the act, with less spectacular results. Then the PA announcer decided to threaten the crowd with prosecution for throwing paper airplanes. Though, after a paper airplane almost hit a thrown ball in play I can understand why they were a little upset. However the impromptu contest of engineering prowess was the most exciting part of the game after the first quarter. LSU put up 28 points in the 2nd quarter alone. Here is a photo of some of the aftermath of the paper airplanes. There were probably 500 along each sideline at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Now it is a night of watching football and off to Montreat for the College Conference tomorrow.

Half Way There

2008-12-15T18:27:00.001-08:00

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

2008-12-07T16:15:00.001-08:00

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

2008-12-06T11:46:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-03T20:05:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-30T19:31:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-18T03:48:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-13T16:18:00.000-08:00

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...

2008-11-11T20:51:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-04T20:38:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-10-20T20:12:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-31T19:47:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-18T19:14:00.000-07:00

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.