Here we are, day 4 of 270 here in VERY SUNNY Kuwait. Today's temps topped out at 115 with plenty of summer yet to come. I learned an interesting fact today; last summer temps soared to a staggering 150+ breaking previous records in Kuwait! Um...I didn't know it could get that hot on planet earth! I have melted a good pair of boots on a tarmac in Dijibouti, Africa, but it was a mere 130 that day.
So last time I posted we were just about to leave Ft Jackson, SC. The USO and several local vets showed up at the airport to see us off in true patriotic fashion. We were given everything from toothbrush to toilet paper to girl scout cookies...which reminds me, I have some melted Samoa's that need eating in my tent:) Anyways, it was incredibly humbling to have vets there who were amputee's just waiting to send us off. It's true what they say about the bond that develops among service members. After a while, it doesn't matter which branch you served in, what your job was, or what war you did or didn't participate in, there is a very special and unique comaraderie that develops when you serve in uniform.
This past week has been quite a whirlwind, let me try to briefly explain. We began loading buses at Ft Jackson around 0500 on Friday. From there we went straight to the airport where we left around 1100. After a brief layover in Maine, we hopped the pond and landed in Germany where we took on more fuel and hung out for a few hours. We landed in Kuwait around 2pm and by the time we get to our base and got turned loose it was around 630pm. After it was all over we had flown for over 12 hours, traveled by bus another 4 and had another 20 hours of layover, waiting, loading, unloading, and trying to catch some kind of sleep throughout. Yeah, I was jacked up for the first 72hrs in Kuwait.
The base I'm at now, Camp Arifjan, is pretty sweet. You should Google it. We have a Subway, Baskin Robins, KFC, a stinkin Harley Dealer, and OF COURSE my favorite- the Starbizz that I'm sitting in right now as I post this blog! Yeah, deployments have changed quite a bit since I was here in 2003. I definitely had visions of fasting in the wilderness, or at least some elaborate deployment weight loss program, but I was forced to rethink things after my second bag of heavily buttered popcorn which I thoroughly enjoyed during tonights showing of Pirates of the Carribean at the local base theatre. I can do this for 9 months.
This week I'm supposed to start working. As I type, we are receiving folks from both Iraq and Afghanistan who are on their way home from deployment. We'll take them through a series of briefs, workshops, and decompression techniques before they leave for the States. It sounds like a good opportunity to just love on some service members who have been through God knows what, and send them off with their heads held high. I'll definitely have to post this weekend and let you know how it all goes, so stay tuned.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Saying Goodbye
I meant to create this post earlier in the week, but have been busy as we wrap up our IA training here in Fort Jackson. Over this past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit with my wife and precious 4mo old daughter. She made the long drive down from Norfolk, VA to stay one night in a hotel with me, AND IT WAS AWESOME!!! Lot's of guys say that it's easier to just "rip the band-aid off," say your goodbye's and don't look back. I understand where they are coming from. This is my fifth deployment, second as a husband and first as a father, but every time I leave my loved ones, and especially my sweet wife, my heart breaks again. Nevertheless, if I ever get the chance to spend even a moment with the love of my life, I will take it every time. So that's what this past weekend was. We had sort of said our goodbye's in VA before I left for training, but we had heard that we would have some liberty time during the last week, so we took full advantage of it, no regrets.
As I'm writing this, I'm holding back a few tears thinking about those last moments I spent hugging my wife late Sunday night as she dropped me off back at my training barracks. If you've been there before, you may be holding back a few tears too as you remember those intensely emotional moments. If you're married and in the military, just stand by, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
During my first two weeks of training, I was looking forward to seeing my wife just around the corner, now as I sit here typing in my barracks, that truth is settling in that I'm about to leave this country and not see my wife for close to a year. So forgive me if this is a "sappy" post, but I'm definitely feeling that separation.
This deployment brings a new and unique set of emotional "baggage" as I now have a daughter who I love to pieces. She is such a treasure to my wife and I, and it hurts so bad to think that I am missing so much of this first year of her life. I thank God for my amazing wife who has been doing such a good job of posting daily video's and pics of them for me to see (highly recommend this for deployed service members).
If there is one thing I have learned in my relatively brief military experience as a husband and father, its that this is a team effort for the whole family. Without me working, my wife could not stay home with our baby, and without my wife staying home with our baby, I could never have the peace of mind to work. She helps me in more ways than I can say, and through the years, she has become my greatest source of comfort, love, and support. It's sounds cleche, I know, but she is my best friend! Sure, I believe that God is my Comforter, He is my friend, and He is my Shepherd, but I believe He works primarily through the mate he has given me in this life. Julie, if you read this, I LOVE YOU;)
Being separated from my family this year will be tough, for both myself and them. However, God will be there to fill in those voids left by our significant others, and I am confident that at the end of this deployment our love for each other, and our love for God, will have grown in ways that we can only imagine.
As I'm writing this, I'm holding back a few tears thinking about those last moments I spent hugging my wife late Sunday night as she dropped me off back at my training barracks. If you've been there before, you may be holding back a few tears too as you remember those intensely emotional moments. If you're married and in the military, just stand by, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
During my first two weeks of training, I was looking forward to seeing my wife just around the corner, now as I sit here typing in my barracks, that truth is settling in that I'm about to leave this country and not see my wife for close to a year. So forgive me if this is a "sappy" post, but I'm definitely feeling that separation.
This deployment brings a new and unique set of emotional "baggage" as I now have a daughter who I love to pieces. She is such a treasure to my wife and I, and it hurts so bad to think that I am missing so much of this first year of her life. I thank God for my amazing wife who has been doing such a good job of posting daily video's and pics of them for me to see (highly recommend this for deployed service members).
If there is one thing I have learned in my relatively brief military experience as a husband and father, its that this is a team effort for the whole family. Without me working, my wife could not stay home with our baby, and without my wife staying home with our baby, I could never have the peace of mind to work. She helps me in more ways than I can say, and through the years, she has become my greatest source of comfort, love, and support. It's sounds cleche, I know, but she is my best friend! Sure, I believe that God is my Comforter, He is my friend, and He is my Shepherd, but I believe He works primarily through the mate he has given me in this life. Julie, if you read this, I LOVE YOU;)
Being separated from my family this year will be tough, for both myself and them. However, God will be there to fill in those voids left by our significant others, and I am confident that at the end of this deployment our love for each other, and our love for God, will have grown in ways that we can only imagine.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Ministry Opportunities
As a Chaplain, you are a full-time missionary, in my case a missionary to the US Military. Some missionaries are sent to China, some to the jungles of South America, but wherever a missionary goes he, or she must learn the culture. The military chaplaincy is no different. In this politically correct-any religion goes environment, being an evangelical missionary can certainly have its unique set of challenges.
Can you pray in Jesus' name? Do you have to do Catholic, Muslim, or Wicken services? These are common questions that I get on a near daily basis. My answer is simple, at least on the surface. As a military chaplain, I am expected to facilitate for the free practice of any and every faith, as long as it is within good order and decency. What does that mean? Part of my job is to make sure that each service member has the opportunity to practice constitutional freedom of religion. At the same time, I am not expected, nor am I required to provide religious service which might contradict the dictates of my own faith. If that sounds a little blurry its probably because it really can be (blurry) when it comes to daily ministry practice.
I am ordained as a Southern Baptist, rarely do I meet someone who's doctrinal views line up with mine 100%. Nevertheless, as I encounter Sailors, Soldiers, and Marines from various faith groups I have a unique opportunity to learn about their religion, and even share something of my own. I wanted to create this post to share about two such encounters that I had yesterday, and perhaps ask you to pray with me for these two individuals. The first was an Army Drill Sergeant who is stationed here at this training command in Fort Jackson. He shaired with me that he goes to church and that he is a good person, but that who doesn't consider himself to be "born again." I took the opportunity to share with him, from Scripture, what that term means, and how the Bible teaches that we can be saved. As is the case many times the conversation gets too "deep," he soon changed topics. Nevertheless a good seed was planted in this man's heart.
The second encounter I had was with a young 3rd Class Petty Officer in the Navy who joined my table for evening chow. She had a few surface questions for me about the Chaplain Corps, then began to ask about "questions she had always had." I could tell that she did not have a clear understanding of the Gospel according to Scripture, so I took several minutes to give a concise Gospel presentation. This time, the subject didn't change. In fact, this young sailor asked me for a Bible and said that she wanted to begin reading it. She expressed a desire to explore Christianity more as she is facing a year long deployment.
I share these two encounters with you for the a few simple reasons. I want to make the point that although this is a "PC" environment, Christians and Christian Chaplains have the freedom to openly share the Gospel in Jesus' name and according to Scripture. We need only keep watch for such opportunities and sieze them as they come. Secondly, I want to give glory to God for softening the soil of the heart. We plant the seed and water, but He alone can do the heart-work necessary for genuine spiritual growth. Finally, I share these encounters so that you might join me and thousands of other Christians in lifting up military service members, and their families in prayer, that God would continue to work in their hearts and minds, and that they might come to know Him as their eternal Lord and Savior.
Thanks for listening. I have another 10 days here in Fort Jackson before deploying to Kuwait and Afghanistan. I'll keep you posted...
Can you pray in Jesus' name? Do you have to do Catholic, Muslim, or Wicken services? These are common questions that I get on a near daily basis. My answer is simple, at least on the surface. As a military chaplain, I am expected to facilitate for the free practice of any and every faith, as long as it is within good order and decency. What does that mean? Part of my job is to make sure that each service member has the opportunity to practice constitutional freedom of religion. At the same time, I am not expected, nor am I required to provide religious service which might contradict the dictates of my own faith. If that sounds a little blurry its probably because it really can be (blurry) when it comes to daily ministry practice.
I am ordained as a Southern Baptist, rarely do I meet someone who's doctrinal views line up with mine 100%. Nevertheless, as I encounter Sailors, Soldiers, and Marines from various faith groups I have a unique opportunity to learn about their religion, and even share something of my own. I wanted to create this post to share about two such encounters that I had yesterday, and perhaps ask you to pray with me for these two individuals. The first was an Army Drill Sergeant who is stationed here at this training command in Fort Jackson. He shaired with me that he goes to church and that he is a good person, but that who doesn't consider himself to be "born again." I took the opportunity to share with him, from Scripture, what that term means, and how the Bible teaches that we can be saved. As is the case many times the conversation gets too "deep," he soon changed topics. Nevertheless a good seed was planted in this man's heart.
The second encounter I had was with a young 3rd Class Petty Officer in the Navy who joined my table for evening chow. She had a few surface questions for me about the Chaplain Corps, then began to ask about "questions she had always had." I could tell that she did not have a clear understanding of the Gospel according to Scripture, so I took several minutes to give a concise Gospel presentation. This time, the subject didn't change. In fact, this young sailor asked me for a Bible and said that she wanted to begin reading it. She expressed a desire to explore Christianity more as she is facing a year long deployment.
I share these two encounters with you for the a few simple reasons. I want to make the point that although this is a "PC" environment, Christians and Christian Chaplains have the freedom to openly share the Gospel in Jesus' name and according to Scripture. We need only keep watch for such opportunities and sieze them as they come. Secondly, I want to give glory to God for softening the soil of the heart. We plant the seed and water, but He alone can do the heart-work necessary for genuine spiritual growth. Finally, I share these encounters so that you might join me and thousands of other Christians in lifting up military service members, and their families in prayer, that God would continue to work in their hearts and minds, and that they might come to know Him as their eternal Lord and Savior.
Thanks for listening. I have another 10 days here in Fort Jackson before deploying to Kuwait and Afghanistan. I'll keep you posted...
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Chaplain on the Firing Range
Today was our fifth day of NIACT (Navy Individual Augmentee Combat Training) here in sunny Fort Jackson. As a Chaplain, I am not permitted to carry a weapon, so as my company headed to the range to train on the M-4 and M-9 I had to decide wether or not I wanted to go with them. I decided that it would be a good opportunity for ministry and a much better option than the alternative, which would have been to sit by myself in the barracks and watch Netflix.
Before I give off the "Holy'er than thou" vibe, let me tell you that this decision was actually pretty tough. I was told by the training command that Chaplains normally "sit this one out" or take the time to work on personal whatever, so I was definitely tempted to take this opportunity to entertain and ammuse myself all day. I decided that the right thing for me to do was to dawn my 50lbs of combat gear and join the company on the range.
Having been enlisted in the Marine Corps, I know what a day at the range entails. It's hot, it's draining, and there is a lot of the "hurry up and wait" which is so prevalent in the military culture. While each of those expectations were met in full, I was pleasantly surprised and thankful to the Lord for the ministry opportunities which availed themselves throughout the day.
I enjoyed several side-bar conversations with sailors about religion and home-life, I talked with them about their experience in the Navy, where they've been and where they're going, and of course I came equipped with about 80 Jolly Ranchers which I passed out between firing exercises. Never underestimate the power of a piece of candy and an encouraging word, distributed at just the right moment they can do a lot for morale.
I'm thankful for the opportunity I had today to just be a Navy Chaplain.
Before I give off the "Holy'er than thou" vibe, let me tell you that this decision was actually pretty tough. I was told by the training command that Chaplains normally "sit this one out" or take the time to work on personal whatever, so I was definitely tempted to take this opportunity to entertain and ammuse myself all day. I decided that the right thing for me to do was to dawn my 50lbs of combat gear and join the company on the range.
Having been enlisted in the Marine Corps, I know what a day at the range entails. It's hot, it's draining, and there is a lot of the "hurry up and wait" which is so prevalent in the military culture. While each of those expectations were met in full, I was pleasantly surprised and thankful to the Lord for the ministry opportunities which availed themselves throughout the day.
I enjoyed several side-bar conversations with sailors about religion and home-life, I talked with them about their experience in the Navy, where they've been and where they're going, and of course I came equipped with about 80 Jolly Ranchers which I passed out between firing exercises. Never underestimate the power of a piece of candy and an encouraging word, distributed at just the right moment they can do a lot for morale.
I'm thankful for the opportunity I had today to just be a Navy Chaplain.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Still In Training
Well, here I am in day 2 of official IA (Individual Augmentee) training, South Carolina. So far so good. The only thing that has made it tough for me so far is the fact that as a Chaplain, I cant carry a weapon and 75% of the training here is weapons related. I have made some good friends already and of course, as is the case with any military unit, I have met some rather interesting characters.
This training is a far cry from my Marine Corps basic training at Paris Island, of course, I suppose it makes a bit of a difference when you outrank the drill instructors. I actually sat down to lunch with my platoon drill instructor today. Definitely a first. This young man is actually an Army reservist and is considering the chaplaincy, with the Army of course.
What's next, well, the rest of this first week will be filled with weapons familiarization, predominantly the M-4 and the M-9. The command chaplain here has arranged for me to go to the other side of the base to visit the Chaplains School where I graduated from last year. I'll get to hang out with a couple Chaplain instructors who were there when I went through, so that will be pretty cool.
I certainly don't want to be isolated from the rest of the Sailors going through this training, so Im trying to look for and even pray for opportunities to minister to and encourage the men and women that are here with me. Which reminds me, I need to head to the store to buy some candy to pass out, always a good conversation starter and ice-breaker.
In case you were wondering how my wife and I are doing, we are holding up. This is our second deployment as a married couple, so we know a little of deployment whoa's. We were also corresponding during my final deployment when I was still in the Marine Corps, so we are used to keeping up a long distant relationship, but make no mistake, it NEVER gets easier. I'm thankful that we are going to get one last opportunity to see each other the weekend before I fly out from Fort Jackson. We'll see how it goes from there.
Thanks for listening/reading, I'll let you know how the rest of the week goes.
This training is a far cry from my Marine Corps basic training at Paris Island, of course, I suppose it makes a bit of a difference when you outrank the drill instructors. I actually sat down to lunch with my platoon drill instructor today. Definitely a first. This young man is actually an Army reservist and is considering the chaplaincy, with the Army of course.
What's next, well, the rest of this first week will be filled with weapons familiarization, predominantly the M-4 and the M-9. The command chaplain here has arranged for me to go to the other side of the base to visit the Chaplains School where I graduated from last year. I'll get to hang out with a couple Chaplain instructors who were there when I went through, so that will be pretty cool.
I certainly don't want to be isolated from the rest of the Sailors going through this training, so Im trying to look for and even pray for opportunities to minister to and encourage the men and women that are here with me. Which reminds me, I need to head to the store to buy some candy to pass out, always a good conversation starter and ice-breaker.
In case you were wondering how my wife and I are doing, we are holding up. This is our second deployment as a married couple, so we know a little of deployment whoa's. We were also corresponding during my final deployment when I was still in the Marine Corps, so we are used to keeping up a long distant relationship, but make no mistake, it NEVER gets easier. I'm thankful that we are going to get one last opportunity to see each other the weekend before I fly out from Fort Jackson. We'll see how it goes from there.
Thanks for listening/reading, I'll let you know how the rest of the week goes.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Just Getting Started
For those of you who know me, or took the time to read my profile, you know that I am a Marine who also happens to be a Chaplain. What in the world does that mean? Well, from 2000-2004 I was enlisted in the Marine Corps, and everyone that has been through Marine Corps Recruit Training knows about the thorough and effective brainwashing that takes place there. Hence the phrase; "Once a Marine, Always a Marine." This saying holds true in my own life, and while I have been out of the Marine Corps for quite some time now, I am still very much a Jarhead at heart.
During my enlistment in the Marine Corps I made three deployments, with one combat tour in Iraq. I didn't see "major" combat, or get in any huge fire-fights, but I know what it feels like to be shot at, or rocketed, or to raise a loaded weapon at a human target. I never had to shoot anyone, but I know what it feels like to loose a close friend in war.
When I left active duty, I knew that God was leading me towards a life in ministry. I didn't know it at the time, but He would use my experience in the military to shape my call to ministry as a Navy Chaplain. Why the Navy, you ask? It's simple, Marines do not have doctors or chaplains, as a Department of the Navy they aquire those services from the "blue side." To serve the Marines as a Chaplain, I had to join the Navy. For all of you who have worn the Marine Corps dress blue uniform, you understand the deep spiritual turmoil that this decision created. Nevertheless, I swallowed my pride and signed my life away with the Squids.
I've been on Active Duty now since Jan, 2010 and have loved ALMOST every minute of it. My experience began with Officer Development School, which is the basic training for staff officers (docs, lawyers, nurses, and of course chaplains). This was 5 weeks of "death by power point," a method of standardized training that the military has fully embraced. From there, it was 7 weeks at Chaplain School where I learned how to play nice with other chaplains from various faith groups, and how to minister in a politically correct environment. Good times.
I received orders to the Surface Force Ministry Center in Norfolk, Virginia, where I work with about 20 other chaplains to provide ministry support to the surface Navy. One month after checking in I was given the opportunity to deploy for six months as the command chaplain for the mighty frigate, ELROD. What an awesome time of ministry! This was the chaplain experience I hoped for. I had a great CO to work for, a great crew, and a supportive wife back home. I would love to write a separte post just to share some of the experiences from that deployment.
Currently, I am sitting in my rack in an open squad-bay getting some traing for a 10 month deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. I know, I didn't expect that either, but life moves fast in the military...sometimes.
I wanted to start this blog where I could simply and informally share my experiences as a Navy Chaplain. I don't know who will actually read this, and to be honest, that is not really the point. I need an outlet, a place to vent, and writing has proven to be therapeutic for me. My wife is my inspiration in this endeavor as she has been blogging for a couple years now, and I have seen how sharing your experiences in this way can be uplifting to yourself and others. So, if you are reading this, I hope that some part of it encourages you, if not, well, I'm still having a good time:)
More to follow...
During my enlistment in the Marine Corps I made three deployments, with one combat tour in Iraq. I didn't see "major" combat, or get in any huge fire-fights, but I know what it feels like to be shot at, or rocketed, or to raise a loaded weapon at a human target. I never had to shoot anyone, but I know what it feels like to loose a close friend in war.
When I left active duty, I knew that God was leading me towards a life in ministry. I didn't know it at the time, but He would use my experience in the military to shape my call to ministry as a Navy Chaplain. Why the Navy, you ask? It's simple, Marines do not have doctors or chaplains, as a Department of the Navy they aquire those services from the "blue side." To serve the Marines as a Chaplain, I had to join the Navy. For all of you who have worn the Marine Corps dress blue uniform, you understand the deep spiritual turmoil that this decision created. Nevertheless, I swallowed my pride and signed my life away with the Squids.
I've been on Active Duty now since Jan, 2010 and have loved ALMOST every minute of it. My experience began with Officer Development School, which is the basic training for staff officers (docs, lawyers, nurses, and of course chaplains). This was 5 weeks of "death by power point," a method of standardized training that the military has fully embraced. From there, it was 7 weeks at Chaplain School where I learned how to play nice with other chaplains from various faith groups, and how to minister in a politically correct environment. Good times.
I received orders to the Surface Force Ministry Center in Norfolk, Virginia, where I work with about 20 other chaplains to provide ministry support to the surface Navy. One month after checking in I was given the opportunity to deploy for six months as the command chaplain for the mighty frigate, ELROD. What an awesome time of ministry! This was the chaplain experience I hoped for. I had a great CO to work for, a great crew, and a supportive wife back home. I would love to write a separte post just to share some of the experiences from that deployment.
Currently, I am sitting in my rack in an open squad-bay getting some traing for a 10 month deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. I know, I didn't expect that either, but life moves fast in the military...sometimes.
I wanted to start this blog where I could simply and informally share my experiences as a Navy Chaplain. I don't know who will actually read this, and to be honest, that is not really the point. I need an outlet, a place to vent, and writing has proven to be therapeutic for me. My wife is my inspiration in this endeavor as she has been blogging for a couple years now, and I have seen how sharing your experiences in this way can be uplifting to yourself and others. So, if you are reading this, I hope that some part of it encourages you, if not, well, I'm still having a good time:)
More to follow...
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