End of Phase Two

This week marks the end of Phase 2 for Chaplain's Officer Leadership Course. This was a very happy day for me. What this means is that I am in the final phase of school!!! Woo! Hoo!

The fantastic part of the last phase is NO HOMEWORK!! All those papers, assignments, philosophical briefs, and research, is done.

We'll kick off this phase with about three days in the field. Will be in a FOB (Forward Operating Base) environment. December is not the warmest months for this, but we
we'll just have to bundle up with what they call "snivel gear". (Warm clothing)

I will be preaching while we're out in the field. Monday afternoon about 4:30pm. My sermon is titled "Is God Fair?"

I am sure they will be throwing a few surprises at us like mortar shells in the middle of the night to keep us sleep deprived, and a few other mind games as well. I am sure when I get back on Wednesday, I will just want to take a shower and go to sleep.

I getting more excited about seeing Shari when she arrives here the first of December. We will be participating in a Marriage Conference called "Strong Bonds" at Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina. The marriage conference will serve as training for us to facilitate "Strong Bonds" conferences for soldiers in Idaho.

By the way, every good Southern Baptist should make their trek to both Glorieta and Ridgecrest. I have been to Glorieta several times, so now I'll be a "Real" Southern Baptist.

-John

A Couple of Pictures

Here are a couple of pictures of some of the neat stuff we have been able to enjoy while here in South Carolina. There is lots of early American History here.

Here I am preparing to give a brief about Civil War icon Major Anderson who was noted for his Maverick style of command. His actions contributed to the start of of the Civil War, and the decimation of Fort Sumpter.

Inside Fort Sumpter near Charleston, SC.

On board a Carrier outside Charleston near Fort. Sumpter.


Leading worship during the retreat day at Victory Ranch.

All is well, and I am looking forward to being home.

-John

Dress Blues

Today I spent a little time with the nice folks at the Uniform and Clothing store on post. I was fitted for a set of "Dress Blues". The Dress Blues is the formal dress uniform for the army.

I have already purchased a set of Dress Greens (aka Class A's), and the Blues should be ready for pick-up by next Tuesday.

I am sure that many soldiers who go in for fitting must believe that they are the only ones who have done this before. (Thousands of us shuffle through each year.)

As I was in the fitting area, the nice lady had me go into the fitting room to try on a set of trousers, when I returned, I felt as though they fit just fine. She took one look and said they were too tight and handed me a larger pair, I very respectfully told her that I had been losing weight and that I was planning to lose more.

Without missing a beat she look at me and, "Do you know how many times I have heard that before?"

I smiled and said I'll be right back.

On a lighter note: Tomorrow, (Thursday) our platoon is going to a place called "Victory Ranch" Victory Ranch is a retreat area for senior NCO's and Officers. From what I understand, we are being taken there for the sole purpose of spending time with God.

We have been told not to bring work, or even pleasure reading, but that if we brought anything to read it should be the Bible or a devotional or discipleship book. We will be given essentially the entire day to connect spiritually.

It should be a reminder to me to spend intentional significant time with God away from the routine to recharge and refresh.

It will be my intention to pray for my family, my church and my ministry. If you read this by Thursday, would you take a minute or two just to offer up a short intercession on my behalf? Thanks.

By the way, I'll let you know how the uniform turns out.

-John

Time To Breathe

Ah.hhhh! I'm only two weeks into the last half of Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course (CHBOLC) and we have a three day weekend. Monday is Veterans Day and one would expect that a Military Post would honor this holiday. (ha, ha, ha)

Today is spent mostly doing homework. Yes we do have homework beyond the classroom. I am currently in the process of writing two papers. One on the psychology of killing and the second on the theology of evil.

As you know the Chaplain is a non-combatant, and as such we do not bear arms, but we do spend a lot of time talking with and working through major issues in the lives of the ones who do; our soldiers.

I suppose one of the most important aspects of the chaplaincy is knowing in your own heart and mind where you stand on these critical topics before you can help a soldier journey through his own concerns.

I am reading an assigned book that I would not recomend to the general public called "On Killing" by Dave Grossman. Grossman is a former Army Ranger LT. Colonel. his perspective has more to do with how the military teaches its soldiers to kill and more specifically "When" to kill.

Yeah, its deep. The second paper on Evil, I have not started yet, but it is due on Tuesday. I actually wrote a similar paper on this topic for my Systematic Theology Class last year. I should be able to glean a little bit from the research to help with this paper.

On to happier subjects:

Yesterday was 80 degrees and today is in mid to upper 70's. It is beautiful and it feels great outside. I am sitting in a coffee house called Cool Beans just off the Campus of USC (University of South Carolina) as I write this BLOG entry, the view from my window is awesome.

Prayer requests:
- Papers and Homework
- For me to keep getting Skinny
- I may have a stress fracture in my second toe on my left foot. (too much running)
- My family Shari, Jessica, Julia

-John Martinez