Showing posts from January, 2014

Snowmageddon and Waking Up Before the Sun

I'm just about a week from being able to go home and be with my family.  I've completed two and a half weeks of Chaplain Initial Military Training (Basic Training for Chaplains), and have learned a lot so far.  Today is a day "off" (we don't get days off... just more time to get work done) because of the ice and snow we received overnight. Down here, a little snow causes big problems. In Michigan, we don't have much concern for this little accumulation but we have the equipment to move it around and melt it.

A few things I've learned this week:

In the Army, it's always your fault.  Even if it's not.A haircut each week makes the day go much better (and keeps the sergeant happy)Not getting a haircut means everyone has an opportunity to "learn" (do push-ups) with you. FYI I was not the one who didn't get a cut, so not my fault (oh wait, bullet point one...).Waking up at 4am means bedtime by 8pm.Staying up until 11pm to catch the Grammy&…

CIMT - Week 1 Done

As you may already know, I am serving in ministry as an Army Reserve Chaplain while leading my congregation full-time.  As a Chaplain in the United States Army, I am required to undergo basic training so that I am prepared to minister to my soldiers as a soldier myself.  I have heard people say that Chaplain school is "basic training lite" or that it's "basic training for gentlemen".  Nothing could be further from the truth.  While it is true that our training is not as intense as an enlisted soldier, the requirements are very much the same.  Chaplains are required to meet the same physical, emotional, and psychological challenges with the same fortitude as an E-1 Private (or, warrior as they are now referred to).

The first segment of training that an Army Chaplain is required to go through is called Chaplain Initial Military Training (CIMT).  It is during this segment that we are trained to think and act like soldiers.  Keep in mind that several of us have not…