Sunday Day 8, Week 8

Another Lazy day. Did laundry, gave another haircut. I'm getting better and you can't beat the price. I watched the motel staff chase a water moccasin. To my knowledge they didn't get it. I guess I won't be going out. PT test for Platoons 1-3, we get to have a late start and do the PT test on tuesday. Hoping to do well. The ankle is pretty sore. In the overall scheme of things my foot is minor. But to me, when I am running, it's pretty major.

Saturday Day 7, week 7

A lazy day! It was just what the Dr. ordered. Nothing military other than doing homework. Nice.

Friday Day 6 week 7

An outstanding day!

Went for a run. Dusty delta run group ran 2 miles at a rate that will pass the PT test which is coming up. That is only if you are OLD, like me. I was thrilled. It has taken a long time after breaking my ankle to run a good time. I'm not 18 anymore.

Next I forgot a T-Shirt and there was no time to go back to the hotel (its graduation day for the Basic training units). A guy in the gym just handed me an extra t-shirt. He wasn't even a CHOBLC student. Just some army guy using the showers.

God is good. He looks after the forgetful and clumsy!

More classes. We did sacred communication. this is where chaplain students (us) get to critique a sermon given by a student. You would think it would be gentle. Not so much. We are all currently or just were seminary students. There are no punches pulled. Better have your game on! I wish things were a little more pastoral. There are guys here that have only preached a couple of times. They get slammed. So do the experienced preachers. I honestly have not heard a bad sermon yet.

We went to Outback for dinner. Man it's good to spend time with men (and women) of God.

The rest of the students went to a Chaplain event. Black tie and dress uniforms. Receiving lines and all. It was not mandatory, and cost money to go. I missed it.

Came back and talked theology, gave a haircut and prayed for a brother.

Thank you Lord.

Thursday Day 5 Week 7

Another good day.

It started with building a pyramid, or muscle failure PT. No joke. Try 7 pushup, then 12, then 15, then back down. Only resting while doing "modified cherry pickers" (not resting). Then doing sittups, crunches, rocky sittups, again with the same "rest" position. Try that for an hour or so. Easy right? It'll get ya.

Had to run back to the hotel after PT to get a pair of boots my buddy forgot. Nearly did not make it back, it was "family day" for the basic training people, hundreds of families trying to get on post to spend time with little jonnie. The gates were busy to say the least.

More death by powerpoint. But the classes are more practical. They are putting all the pieces together that they have been teaching for the whole time here.

Wednesday Day 4 Week 7

More "Death by power point."  Most of the day spent in classes.  The classes were pretty good.

We all got weighed in.  We also had a dress uniform inspection.  It seems like about half the people's uniforms were still getting prepared.  All in all a pretty good day.

Got to speak with the Assessions officer for active duty.  She is Pathfinder qualified and a master parachutist!  I have never heard of a female pathfinder, much less a chaplain.  

It was really good to find out how things really work, no more "armchair Lawyers."  It looks like it is almost time to start my packet for assessing as a chaplain next summer.  Wow we are almost there.

Tuesday Day 3 Week 7

A Pretty good day.

We took a "staff ride" to Charleston, SC.  A bit of a bumpy start.  Our buses didn't show till two hour late.  But we arrived.

We got to watch a "Ramp Ceremony".  This is a critical part of what military Chaplains do.  We are to honor the dead.  As Chaplains we must perform this with perfection.  It was nice to see it done (even if it was "practice") on an actual C-17 with an Air Force honor guard.  Sorry no pics, OPSEC.

We moved from there to Ft Sumter.  This is where the "first shots" of the war of northern aggression (that's what they call it down here) were fired.  Truth be told, it happened in Kansas, but that's what the park rangers said, I didn't argue.

It was a good trip.  Much lower stress level and everyone seemed to have a good time.  We got to meet a WW2 Vet that was related to one of the Cadre.  That was special.  It is cool to meet someone that has been there and done that and it was the carrier he was on.  The Yorktown that served in the pacific theater of WW2 and is now located there in Charleston harbor.

Monday Day 2 (week 7)

A Very Rude awakening!

Wow, what a day.  PT at "O" dark thirty.  I finished, but I am smoked. 

 

We watched a "Ramp" ceremony for bringing a "coffin" onto the plane.  It was real neat to see the Chaplain walk through the process that he had been through quite a few times before.  You could see the passion that this is VERY important for a Chaplain to get right!

The CHOBLC has change drastically from years past.  This is much closer to what I anticipated from CIMT (or "O" phase).  I will give it some more time before I pass judgement on things.  But the days of easy low stress CHOBLC appear to be a thing of the past.  Don't know why.  I am sure things will be apparent shortly.

Tomorrow should be a better day.  More to follow.

Sunday Day 1 (week 7)

Signed in and had some briefings today.  Somehow I went off and forgot my copies of my orders.  Not a good way to start.  Be that guy!

There is a significant difference in the "air" of CHOBLC than 21 months ago.  The staff is completely different.  It is also a huge class.  We have the phase 2 and 3 people that just showed up from previous classes being added to the already huge class that is staying for the whole course.  It is bound to be different.  Also we are staying off post at a hotel instead of the officers housing.  

Low stress day in Macon GA

We had a low stress day in Macon GA.  We met Roger's Mom and went to Bass Pro.  

Part 2 Off again

Its off to South Carolina and Army Chaplain School for Phases 2 and 3.  I report on Sunday.  We Roger and I will take the scenic route and visit family.