The Wrath of God

CH-BOLC is Finished

I didn’t post about the last few weeks. There really wasn’t much to post. We went to Capstone which included a five mile march out to the FOB they have set up on Fort Jackson. While there we had classes and practical exercises on the training which we had received up to that point. We also did a lot of field services while we were out there. Probably about thirty total. We didn’t stay overnight because of some logistical problems the school had with the range. I had no problem with that as they just bussed us back to the school each night, and I drove back to hotel to shower and sleep in a comfortable bed. After the third day we marched back to the school, and the Capstone was complete.The last two weeks were training on family wellness type stuff. Most of it was kind of boring, but we got certifications for everything we did. I am sure it will come in handy some day.

Rachel and the kids came down on Monday of graduation week. It was good to see them. Rachel attended the spouse’s seminar which the Chaplain school put on. She really enjoyed it, and met some good people. The kids stayed in child care off post. This was the first time they had ever stayed in a child care center, but they seemed to like it pretty well. On Wednesday night we left them with a chaplain’s wife and kids while we went to the chaplain banquet. It was a good experience, and Rachel really enjoyed the event. Graduation was on Friday and my mother and aunt came down for that. The graduation went well, and after a few pictures I said goodbye to Fort Jackson.

From there we went to Myrtle Beach for the weekend and enjoyed the beach and pools at the resort. The kids love the beach and they love to swim, and I was wore out by Tuesday when we left. I got back to my house around 9 p.m. on Friday and slept in my own bed for the first time since July 11th. It felt really good, but when I woke up the next morning I noticed that the grass hadn’t been cut since I left nearly 9 weeks earlier. It’s good to know how needed I am around the house.  I reported back to work on Friday, and I haven’t had a day off yet.

I am glad to have gotten CH-BOLC finished. I love the Army lifestyle and can’t wait to get back to it, but for now I have much to do here, and being with my family is where I am happiest.

CH-BOLC Phase 2, Week 3-4

Week 3 was pretty basic. We sat through many more classes, but they were not as bad as previous weeks. Most of the classes were done in platoons, instead of as a whole class. On Wednesday we went to Victory Ranch which is a civilian operated faith based resort for soldiers. It was a pretty good day of relaxation and eating good food. I played a 3 on 3 game of basketball, and sat and talked with other chaplains for most of the day. On Friday of that week I performed my Sacred Communications sermon which didn’t go as well I had hoped. This is where I preach a sermon to the other chaplains as if they were regular soldiers on a deployment. After the sermon they all critiqued me. Since they are all of different traditions I got all kinds of feedback. Some of them hated it, some liked it, and one said it was the best he had heard in the class. Unfortuneately, the chaplain instructor didn’t like it, and it seems I offended him. I couldn’t help it, I was assigned to preach from Romans 1. Now I must prepare to preach it again, only not so offensive.

Week 4 was another exciting week. On Monday we had a class on memorial ceremonies and services, and graveside services. On Tuesday – Thursday we had PREP training which was basically certification to do Army sponsored marriage retreats. On Friday morning we had the final PT test. I did the 2 mile run in only 15:13, which is my best time since I was 20. I was disappointed with my pushups, as I only did 54 and was expecting to do around 70. I did better than expected on the situps with 57.  On Friday we had a live demonstration of a graveside service, and then we each conducted a service of our own. I did the memorial service which is like a military funeral, but without the body being present. It is done for the unit of the lost soldier, and not necessarily the family.

Phase 2 is officially over, and we are now in Phase 3.

Rachel and the kids came down on Thursday. On Saturday we went to the zoo, and on Sunday we went to a park, and then to see G-Force, then out for frozen custard. They leave on Monday. It was great to get to see them for the first time in 4 weeks, and I hate that they must leave, but they will be back for graduation in only 2 more weeks.

CH-BOLC Phase 2 Week 2

This was a pretty boring week. We began the week with a day off from PT as the other three platoons had their PT test, which meant I got to sleep in and not show up until 8:20. The rest of the day consisted of boring classes. On Tuesday, my platoon took the PT test. I did better than expected, scoring 237 points, with 62 PUs, 51 SUs, and a 15:45 two mile run. Hopefully I can improve on that a little bit between now and the final PT test which is only two weeks away. Thursday we took a trip to Paris Island, which I felt was pretty pointless. We were given a tour of the depot by the Navy chaplains, but really didn’t get to see any actual training. I had been to Paris Island before so I wasn’t too impressed. We ate in a trainee Mess Hall. Marine Corp chow is about like Army chow when produced in mass quantities, edible but tasteless.  Friday was an easy day, as the class was split up by platoons. Sunday I attended three chapel services, which completes all my chapel visits except for the Muslim service.

First week of CH-BOLC Phase 2

Just finished my first week of CH-BOLC Phase 2 here at Ft. Jackson. It was a long and busy week. I arrived on Sunday at around 12:00 and went directly to the Clothing Sales to get some needed items. After that I went to the Chaplains School, where I spent the next several hours in-processing. After being released from the school at around 17:30, I headed back for the hotel. I hadn’t even gotten settled in before we had a platoon meeting in the hotel conference room, where I was assigned to a squad, and paired up with a battle buddy. The rest of the week was pretty much classes, with the exception of Tuesday which was a trip to Charleston, SC where we had classes on ramp ceremonies, and a ferry boat ride to Fort Sumter.

Next week will probably be more of the same, with a trip to Paris Island on Wednesday. I don’t know what we will actually be doing there, but I am sure it will beat sitting in the classroom. PT has been pretty good so far. Muscle development days really make you work, and on run days we have went between 2 and 3 miles. Nothing too bad. On Tuesday I will take my diagnostic PT test. I am still a little worried about the run, but I think I will be okay.

Looking forward to the rest of training, and can’t wait to get this part of the chaplaincy journey behind me