So this Sunday will mark one month for me here in Kuwait. So far, so good. As I mentioned in my last post, there are more than enough creature comforts on this base to keep service members satisfied during their stay. Granted, being without loved ones is difficult no matter where one is deployed, but as far as quality of life, this is hands down the best deployment I’ve ever had!
Now that I’ve been doing this job out here for a month I honestly feel like the work we’re doing out here is extremely valuable. If I haven’t told you yet, I’m part of the Care Team at the Warrior Transition Program here in Kuwait. As a Chaplain, my responsibilities revolve around providing pastoral care for IA sailors who are re-deploying (heading home) from Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. It’s a unique opportunity to meet sailors who have been doing everything from working in the post office to going on combat patrols.
My original orders involved leading the Mobile Support Team in Afghanistan. Basically, I would travel around to the forward operating bases and provide Chaplain coverage for those forward deployed service members. That all changed about three weeks before my deployment when I received new orders to the Warrior Transition Program here in Kuwait. Originally I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be out on the “front lines,” but again, now that I’ve been here I see the importance of this job as well.
So my wife encouraged me to share some pictures of life out here with all of you. I’ve included a few below to get things started and I’ll try to do better in the coming weeks and months.
This is my briefing tent where I do my workshops with re-deploying sailors. We get 10-20 sailors together and give them an opportunity to share their unique deployment experience, and also provide them with practical counsel for their return home.
Proudly representing the fighting spirit of the Navy! This is our flagpole outside of our main work tent. Since most IA sailors are imbedded with the Army, this gives them a little taste of Navy culture and pride.
Another dirty day in KuwaitJ This is a picture I took just outside of our main work tent. For those who have had the privilege of visiting the Middle East, you know that this scene is not too uncommon.
Well, that’s all for this time. I’ll try to get some more pics to share; maybe I can show you the head, the swimming pool, the gym, and some other points of interest.
Stay tuned…
