Day 5-10: Pride in the Chaplain Corps...and In-Processing

It has been a while since I posted on this blog. Its mainly because there really has not been much this week to talk about. It would have been like one cool thing a day mixed with a lot of in-processing trying to get everyone cleared to train. But after waiting a couple of days I think I have enough stuff to put into a blog post for the week.

So the days have still been quite long, usually lasting from an 0420 wake up until I get home around 2000. This week was primarily focused on in-processing. We would start off the day in formation, go in for some breakfast, have a quick lesson and then we would split up into groups and go through rotations of medical in-processing, classes, and a tour of the museum and library.

We were issued our government laptops so we could use them for assignments (and so no one has an excuse not to do them). Even though our squads was assigned the S4 (logistics) squad I was assigned S6 (Communications). This meant I became the IT guy for our platoon, which I don't mind at all. It is a fairly easy job and I feel like it lets me contribute something to the team. Usually it involves answering questions about computers, helping officers new to the military learn how to use all the DOD websites and reporting broken computers or broken networks to the cadre. I know a bit about all these things mainly because I have gone through having to fix all these issues for myself in the past.

I think I sat in the waiting room of Medical SRC for a total of 8 hours this week with nothing to do other than study a piece of paper with Chaplain trivia on it. There were some entertaining moments through the waiting though. There were two instances where chaplains got yelled at by some wandering drill sergeants in the waiting room only to moments later find out that they were officers. Their reactions were usually fairly entertaining. But you can't blame them. This whole week we were walking around in PT's with a camelback on cause many Chaplains were still waiting for their uniforms to have their patches sewn on. We looked like Privates.

On Friday the whole of Fort Jackson had a formation run for Victory Day. The Commanding General was the one leading it and even though we couldn't run with everyone else (not everyone was done with Medical SRP) we still formed up to support the Soldiers who were running in it. It was pretty hooah watching thousands of soldiers running by. I'm pretty sure my brother-in-law who is at basic training right now is in one of the units that passed us by.

Next week we will be starting PT in the mornings and we will start wearing our OCP's (combat uniform). So I'm looking forward to feeling a little more professional. I am sure that I will have more stories to tell next week as well since we are all cleared to train now.

I spent today running some errands. Chaplain K and I picked up our uniforms from the tailor and stopped by Wal Mart to do some shopping. I got some binders to get organized and store resources in, some bug spray and a measuring tape so I can order my suit for my wedding online while I am here. We went to eat at Panda Express and went to the PX after where I bought some dog tags and some Fort Jackson memorabilia for my brother-in-law since I figure he won't be able to buy anything while at Basic Training. I also bought the Army Officer's Guide which I started reading today.

The Legacy of the Chaplain Corps

The Army in which a Soldier serves is much more than his or her current unit; it is more than the sum total of all soldiers on active duty and in every component today; it is more, even, than all of them plus the Department of Defense and the civilians and family members who work for and with the Army right now...the Army is the sum of all past and present Soldiers, civilians, and loved ones who have served it. Americans may join the Army for a multitude of reasons, but they are ultimately willing to put their lives on the line for one another. They need not only the camaraderie of those present but also the inspiration of those who have gone before to make the ultimate sacrifice. Thus the Army is a living, breathing entity, changing in form, scope of tasks, and operational doctrine, and changeless in mission and fundamental morality. -Army Officer's Guide 53rd Edition

Every class this week has provided me with a broad insight into the Chaplain corps and its history. I as a prospective chaplain and staff officer in the United States Army stand upon the shoulders of giants. After this week I have developed a great sense of pride in what I have the privilege to do here. As a Chaplain I have the lawful authority and duty to provide for and protect the free exercise of religion for all Soldiers and advise the commander in the effect of religion in his unit and on the battlefield. These are great responsibilities given to me by the Constitution of the United States, Title 10 of the U.S Federal Code, and detailed in the U.S Army regulations. The War Powers given to the military allow the military to provide whatever is necessary to win our nations wars, and one of the most fundamental ways a commander can be confident in the readiness of the Soldiers he is sending off to battle, where they may die, is to make sure they are right with their God. This is a solemn responsibility.

In order to properly minister to Soldiers, chaplains must be able to speak their language, the language of the military. They must be credible, present and courageous. They cannot tell them that God is with them in battle and stay clear of danger themselves. They cannot minister from an office. They cannot preach in a chapel while their Soldiers are in the jungle or desert. They cannot protect the rights of the Soldier unless they too are themselves Soldiers. This is a ministry of presence. The shepherd of the Soldier must be in every sense a Soldier himself. That is the significance of CHBOLC, where they train ministers in the civilian world to become a Soldier.

As I walked through the Chaplain museum I was astounded at the legacy of the Chaplain Corps. The bravery that these chaplains had in the face of danger and the love they had for their Soldiers was awe inspiring.

Chaplain Duffy who served in the trenches of World War I and ran into the "No Man's Land" to give last rites and rescue wounded Soldiers.

The Four Immortal Chaplains: Chaplains George Fox, Alexander Goode, Clark Poling and John Washington who sunk with the USS Dorchester arm and arm singing hymns and praises after giving up their life jackets and helping Soldiers onto life boats after the Dorchester was hit by a torpedo.

Chaplain Ellenberg who was one of many chaplains that stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day with his Soldiers.

Chaplain Watters and Chaplain Liteky who won the Medal of Honor in Vietnam for giving their lives running out of combat perimeters to save their Soldiers who were wounded in battle.

and Chaplain Kaupan who was taken as a prisoner of war after refusing to leave wounded Soldiers, where with complete disregard for his own safety protected his soldiers as a shepherd protects his flock from their captors.

I stand on the shoulders of giants. This is no ordinary ministry. It is a ministry of presence. I go where the Soldiers go. When the Soldiers are "in the valley of the shadow of darkness" I must be there with them to help them see the God who brings them "beside quiet waters". If I learned anything this week, it is that you cannot be a chaplain without it being a calling, because a good chaplain goes above and beyond his obligations in Army regulations. He is the shepherd of unmatched character and competency who nurtures the living, cares for the wounded and honors the fallen.

Pro Deo Et Patria,