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.