Final Two Weeks

Recently we spent our final time in the field doing some practical training. Above is our "Ramp Ceremony" to honor a fallen Soldier. This is typically held on a Airfield or chopper-pad where we offer a short ceremony as the Soldier is loaded on to an aircraft to travel home for his final Funeral Service/Ceremony.

In this picture our platoon is huddled in a concrete bunker after our area was hit with mortar fire. (not real) Our procedure was that once we heard mortar fire we moved to the bunker to get accountability. (Take Roll) in some cases we would have to gear up in our Pro Mask (Gas Mask) if we heard the command "Gas". We were smiling, mostly because it was a false alarm. We ran after we heard mortar from another FOB. (Forward Operating Base). What can you expect from a bunch of Chaplains...

We have less than two weeks remaining before we finish this phase of our training. Shari is coming up for part of that training. Yup, you heard me right. Shari will be here in two days to join me for a time of training in Marriage Strong Bonds Training, as well as spouse briefing and of course my graduation.

She arrives here in Columbia on Thursday evening, and I will have to pick up my dirty clothes and spruce up the place before she gets here.

-John