Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I am going to try to start updating my blog more regular. I have a break from class and a little extra time now. Seminary starts back on the 17th. This is my last full semester for my master of divinity. Ninety hours is almost like getting a second bachelors rather than the typical thirty six hour master degree. If I decide to move forward and get my phd I will need to full ninety hour degree to be able to do this. Still not sure what the future has in store, I am open to where the Lord leads me. I am currently attached to an Military Police Brigade as a Chaplain Candidate. Once I graduate in May I will hopefully become a Chaplain and be assigned to a battalion. Then we will see where that leads. It has been challenging and fun being in the Army Reserves. Big change going from an all chaplain school to an actual unit. It is fun to meet the people and hear where all they have been and all they have witnessed. I wish I could stay at my current unit, the chaplain's assistant there is an outstanding person. We have a lot of good conversations.

It has been interesting to talk to old classmates from CH-BOLC. Some are already in Iraq. One just happened to take his Elvis costume with him. I saw a good picture on Facebook the other day. CH Fry is definitely one of the coolest, most entertaining chaplains you will ever meet. I continue to pray for all of our soldiers safe return.

CH-BOLC was a lot of fun and a lot of hard work. It seemed to last forever while I was there but looking back it flew by. I made some good friends there. Some I wish lived closer so we could still hang out. We stay in touch through text and facebook though.

I wanted to include some pics from CH-BOLC for those of you either about to go through school or those who are thinking about applying. When I was preparing to go to CH-BOLC (chaplain school) I looked at all kinds of blogs to get an idea what it may be like. You can see there were good times and hard work.

Did I mention that it was about 100 degrees everyday while getting to do all of these fun things! It was probably the hottest summer we have had in a few years. Nothing like crawling through a mixture of sand and water when it is 105 in the shade. I cannot complain though, it was nothing compared to the heat our Soldiers in Iraq have to endure.

CH-BOLC

It has been a while since my last post, we have been extremely busy. I have done things I didn't think I could possibly do, guess that is why some of the courses are called "Confidence Courses." I made it through the Victory Tower without too many problems, only fell once. I was moving along good on the rope and next thing I know I was bouncing off the net. I enjoyed rappelling down the wall, that was cool. My days seem to run together during training. Some of this won't be in order but you can see what I have been up to. The pic below was just before the day infiltration course. Talk about hot! It was 95 degrees before lunch that day. All that extra gear made it a few degrees hotter that day. I think we had three or four soldiers go to the hospital with heat injuries that day. All in all it wasn't a bad day, it was just hot. The training was good though. We had some down time in between training sessions and we had some entertainment from the Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates telling jokes. The coolest thing about that day of training was the night infiltration course. We went through that training with a group of soldiers going through basic training. It was pretty rough crawling that far in the sand. There was explosions all around us and machine gun fire zooming over our heads. We could see the tracers flying over top of us. I was beat at the end of that crawl. Slept good that night. That was one of those nights when you get in the shower with your clothes and boots on. Makes things much simpler.

Victory Tower was really cool. First time rappelling for me!

We had a few freeze up going off the top of the rappelling wall. That first step is a rough one. Once you get going it is pretty smooth .

Continuing were I left off, I started this post several months ago. Each time I try to download it is locks up. Let's try it again. Below is a video from Victory Tower. It was a good time.

Drill and Ceremony Competition

Saturday we had the drill and ceremony competition. 2nd Platoon was the winner. We received a ribbon for our platoon flag and we have a week off from being duty platoon. The competition was really close. All of the platoons worked hard for the ceremony. A lot of hot hours training in the parking lot. Drill Sergeant had us "picking cherries." Our arms were worn out!!!!!

Here is a video of 3rd or 4th Platoon during part of the D and C competition. It was fun, everyone enjoyed the competition.

CH-BOLC CIMT Week 2

Another week is complete, just two more weeks of CIMT. This past week was a busy week and next week is supposed to be even busier. Last week the PT picked up in intensity. This is still a struggle for me but I am getting through it. It actually makes my body feel better, of course not while actually doing the PT but afterwards!

Monday was the Team Development Course. It was both fun and challenging. This course is designed to develop teamwork and leadership skills. Some of the task seem impossible to complete while others we simply ran out of time. The course was mentally and physically tough. We only completed 1 of 6. I am proud to say I was the team leader on the one we fully completed! We had a strong team though. Hooah! We went through the Chaplain Corps museum later that day. It was interesting to see the full history of the Chaplain Corps.








Tuesday we had Tactical Radio Communication class. Most of us had no clue what we were really saying but we sounded professional anyway. The cadre teaching the class had a lot of combat experience as medics. They had a lot of stories to tell and a lot of experience in Medevac situations. It was a good class, very well taught.

Wednesday was the day of days so far for CIMT, NBC training. Not NBC as in T.V. training, but Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical warfare training. GAS, GAS, GAS...we had 9 seconds to remove our mask from the holder, put on the mask, clear the mask, and seal the mask. After classroom training we were taken to the CBRN range. I have never seen so many grown men cry at one time! When the CS gets in your eyes, nose, and throat your body starts immediately trying to flush it out. Tears, mucus, slober, drool, and everything else is dripping from your eyes, nose, and mouth. Good times!

2nd Platoon after the Gas Chamber!

Thursday and Friday was First Aid training. It was good information to learn. Some of it was a little boring because of all the powerpoints but the instructors were really good.

CH-BOLC CIMT Week 1

Well, I made it through week one of CIMT at CH-BOLC. For those of you preparing to come to Fort Jackson let me tell you, it is hotttttt here!!!! It hasn't been too bad so far. We had a lot of class time this week getting inprocessed. Received a lot of gear (TA 50) this week. Spent some time outside working on drill and ceremony. The asphalt gets really hot about lunch time. I spent my birthday here on Wednesday. A friend I have here that I met during AT with the 81st back in April took me out for my birthday. That was a good time. It is rough being away from Natasha and the boys, especially on my birthday. I am going to miss our churches 45th anniversary this Sunday, Happy Birthday Calvary! I am going to miss Father's Day and the baby dedication ceremony at church. I told Colin since he was the oldest son he would have to stand in there for me. I got him squared away with a new suit, he told me he wanted a bowtie but I didn't want him looking like Ducky on NCIS. I will miss the 4th of July holiday but hopefully Natasha and the boys will get to come down here to visit. I am missing out on a lot but I keep in mind those soldiers who are overseas. They will miss out on at least a year of their families lives. Before you go to sleep tonight ask God to bless those that serve our nation. They sacrifice so much and ask for so little. At least we can pray for them and their families.

Being my birthday week, I received some mail from home. Thank you all for the push ups!!! Just kidding, thank you to all who sent me a card. It was good to get mail from home. Only problem was CH Hart and SFC Rankins makes you drop and do push ups or mountain climbers before giving you your mail. It was worth it though! The class actually gave those of us who celebrated our birthdays this week a card for our birthday. I think it was about 5 of us this past week with birthdays. CH Hart asked me how old I was, I should have told him 4, I had to do 35 push ups in front of the class.

I have met some really good guys here this week. Had some good times and some rough times. I expect things to really pick up next week. We start a more hectic schedule and regular PT sessions. Hopefully it will make the time go by faster being busier. When I get weak and tired I look to God for strength and He is there for me. It won't be easy getting through class but I press forward remembering that all I do is for the glory of God.

AT Fort Jackson

Made it through AT last week. I met some incredible people during the week. Many Chaplain Candidates came together last week at the 81st RSC for annual training. Sunday morning we had an APFT. Physical fitness has been lacking some in my life! The 2 mile run was rough but God pulled me through it. We had several class to prepare us as Army Chaplains. Suicide prevention was one of the main topics. Although there are more prevention resources than ever, suicides and suicide attempts continue to rise. I pray those considering taking their life will find comfort and strength in the Lord to overcome those feelings.

It was good to be able to go to Fort Jackson prior to CH-BOLC. I have an idea where everything is located now so I won't be so lost when I arrive this summer. Some of the guys have already been through CH-BOLC CIMT and Phase I and were able to offer some advice and guidance on what is to come. We picked their brains all week. CH Winter lead chapel service Sunday morning. It was a blessing to spend time in worship with the soldiers. I am looking forward to moving ahead and gaining more experience. Everyone there was very encouraging.

SRP was probably the worst part of the week. I got stuck by more needles than I can count. Had my blood pressure checked endless times. Had dental x-rays a couple of times. Checked my vision (still can't see that big E without my glasses or contacts)! Had the dentist working my teeth over while they checked my blood pressure (no wonder it was a little high)! By the time we finished at 1300 I was starving. 1LT Guzman took me to the Golden Coral for the buffet after SRP. That was the highlight of the day! Thanks Guzman!

I was glad to get home. I missed Natasha and the boys. It was a good experience and I met a lot of good guys and lady, I didn't forget you King! Although I am proud to be one of the 81st Wildcats I am looking forward to getting assigned to a local unit so I can begin my Army ministry.

Annual Training

I have AT next week at Fort Jackson. It has been interesting trying to get all the paperwork in order. There was a bit of a mishap with my email, I wasn't receiving all the important information regarding AT. My name was spelled wrong on the outgoing emails. Jeffery, should be Jeffrey. Two little letters have wreaked all kinds of havoc! I have been scrambling to get caught up on travel request, hotel arrangements, and tons of other things. God is keeping me on my toes.

It is just a week but I know it will be rough for Natasha. She has to get Colin, Carson, and Carter up each morning to get Colin to school. He is like me in the mornings, a BEAR! Once I get my coffee I am ok, he needs his juice and he is fine.

I am looking forward to meeting many of the Chaplain Candidates I will attend CH-BOLC with this summer at AT next week. I pray God will use each one of us to lift up those who serve our country.