Chaplain Kay

This past Friday, my Love and I went to my Battalion Commander’s house for an early New Year’s/End-of-Year reception. The occasion was quite formal seeing that we wore our Dress Blue’s. We had a nice time and enjoyed the party. It was quite interesting being the Chaplain at the party since my Branch colors are different than the rest of the Battalion. I clearly stuck out, but that is not really anything new.

After the party, My Love and I went down to Austin and had a night out without the kiddos. We ate at a favorite restaurant and then stayed in a nice hotel. It was simply wonderful, and I must say that I planned a fairly romantic evening. For those of you who know me that was an accomplishment.

As the year comes to an end, I truly love where the Lord has us and I love my job. The Lord has blessed us beyond measure and we are thankful for His goodness and mercy. I pray that you have a great end to 2007 and a happy beginning to 2008.

I am now CH (CPT) Kay. My promotion was held a few weeks ago and the ceremony was a wonderful event. My Love, Little Man and Baby Doll were able to attend and participate. My Commander said some kind things during the ceremony and verbalized the good relationship I have felt we have. I am the first Chaplain this unit has had in over 4 years, and they have welcomed me with open arms. I love what I’m doing and feel blessed to serve the Lord in this ministry.

When the actual ceremony began, my Commander told me that when he pinned CPT he was holding his son and he encouraged me to do the same. I was able to hold Little Man throughout the ceremony, which made things extra special. I then held Baby Doll for the pinning. It was a GREAT DAY!!!

Recently I received 2 coins that are very special to me. The first came during an unfortunate situation. About a month ago, a soldier in our Brigade passed away. Since we don’t currently have a Brigade Chaplain, I am covering down in that position. I was able to travel down Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) with the HHD Commander to visit the soldier’s family. Those visits were sweet times with the family. The soldier leaves behind a wife and son, mom and dad, 3 sisters and 1 brother.

After he passed away I began planning for the Memorial Service since I would perform the service. The many funerals I did while in the pastorate enabled me to approach the service without too much anxiety. The only nerves came from wanting to do things well for the family while holding true to military tradition. I will write some other time about the memorial service and its importance in general.

Right before the ceremony, I was speaking with the Command Sergeant Major and he gave me the Brigade coin. It was particularly special because he took the time to have my name engraved on the coin. See for yourself.

The second coin I received came from the Chief of Chaplains, CH (MG) Douglas Carver. He recently made a visit to our Installation and addressed many of the Chaplains here. While he was giving his talk CH Carver asked if anyone knew what CBRNE meant. I raised my hand and spouted off the meaning - Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosives. I must say, I had an unfair advantage since I’ve had some interaction with Chemical Soldiers.

After answering the question, he handed me his coin - the only one of the day if I might add.

There is really no good excuse for not writing, so I won’t give you one. To say the past few weeks has been busy would be an understatement. Since my last entry, I have been to the field for a week, graduated, traveled 1200 miles from South Carolina to TEXAS, checked in with my unit, Inprocessed, rented a house, and signed out on permissive TDY for 10 days. I am tired.

Graduation week was great. My Love, the kids and my parents got to Ft. Jackson safe and sound. My Love and I had a wonderful time at the Graduation Banquet. She was simply gorgeous and took my breath away. Once I caught my breath, we had a wonderful evening.

I will say, My Love made me quite jealous. The guest speaker for the evening was CH (COL) Moore, FORSCOM Chaplain. While the evening was just getting underway, my wife read that CH Moore was from Mississippi. She let this cool fact be known to our endorser who was sitting with us and he went over and got CH Moore (we are both endorsed by the same agency). Come to find out, my wife and CH Moore are from some of the same places and even know some of the same people. To make a long story short, My Love received the FORSCOM Chaplain’s coin. Very cool and very jealous.

Graduation was a great event as well. CH (MG) Douglas Carver, Cheif of Chaplains, was on hand and gave a wonderful talk. I will say, it was quite weird sitting there at graduation. I could feel the reality of the situation and it was heavy. In the 13 weeks of CH-BOLC, I built friendship that will last a lifetime. Strangely though, it might not be until heaven that I see some of those blessed Chaplains again. May the King of kings watch over them and their families.

Our trip to Texas went off without any major hiccups. The 9 hour trip did take 15 hours and an over night stay, but what should one expect traveling with a 2 1/2 year old and a 6 month old.

I have already gotten into the busyness of the Chaplaincy. It is amazing how fast a day can go by when you are trying to run around and do this ministry of presence thing. I am the first Chaplain my unit has had in 4 years. I have actually had people tell me that they didn’t know Chaplains worked at the Battalion level. Truly amazing. I pray that my time here is fruitful. I still feel that I am drinking out of a fire hydrant, but I have a great Brigade Chaplain who will be a great mentor. If you think about it, please pray for me on the 19th. I have been tasked to pray at a ceremony for the standing up of a new Brigade. I have been tasked to pray at the ceremony because I am currently the only Chaplain in the Brigade. May the Lord receive all glory and honor and praise.

I hope to change the way I blog from here on out. My focus will be on the Chaplaincy within the confines of the Battalion. I won’t be specific about the unit I am with, but I hope you will get a taste of what Chaplains do. WE NEED MORE CHAPLAINS, and the longer I try and do this job, the more I am convinced that the Chaplaincy needs to be pushed more at our seminaries. May the God of all creation bless you.

My weekly summary posts have probably come to an end. Last week marked the end of CIMT and the learning phases of CH-BOLC have begun. I am not upset CIMT is over, but I did enjoy the first 4 weeks of CHBOLC. Prior to 3 June, I had ZERO experience with the Army. I needed CIMT and am proud of our class for making it through the ruck marches and acclimating into a new society.

Despite the death-by-power-point aspect of Phases 1-3, I am quite excited about the learning part of CHBOLC. For the next two weeks we will focus on the staff position aspect of the Army. This involves learning about the leadership levels of battalions, brigades and so forth. All should be very informative.

My important note about this past week: I GOT TO GO HOME. I have missed my family so much, and it was great to spend a day and a half holding, hugging and kissing them. Little man did great with having his daddy home and baby doll actually seemed to know who I was. She even had a hard time eating when I was in the room talking. She couldn’t take her eyes off me and I was the same with her. She is BEAUTIFUL.

Seeing My Love was priceless. It is safe to say that our relationship and love for one another has grown over the past month and we pray it continues to do so. We hope to see each other again at the end of July. I am counting down the days! God is so good.

Day One

Monday of this week began with preparation for our Field Training Exercise. Week 3 of CH-BOLC involves the students going into the field and “qualifying” for the different sections of CIMT (Chaplain Initial Military Training). Basically, we are putting together everything we have learned up to this point.

We had to turn in our A-Bags (duffle bags), which contained more stuff than we would ever need in the field. We learned about map reading which we would use in the field and well as how to use a compass. The day ended with me volunteering for a detail. This involved 45 of us chaplains going out to the camp site and setting up a few 20 person tents. It was a late evening, but we felt like we had accomplished something.

Days Two – Four

Tuesday started early (0500) and continued at a neck-breaking speed until Thursday night late. It took about 2 hours, but we eventually got everyone out to the camp site and settled in.

Day Land Navigation

Land navigation involves learning to find given points on a map, shooting the azimuth (degree), finding the distance and then actually finding the correct marker. We went through this activity in groups and had quite a time. Our group did run into some problems since our points were out of order and wrong all together. The activity was still beneficial and our confidence in our new skills was enhanced.

Night Land Navigation

Land navigation at night is pretty much the same as during the day. The problem is you can’t see what you are about to step or walk into. Our group once again had a great time, but almost found ourselves lost. Our second point required that we either walk through about 50 meters of underbrush or walk 300 meters around it. Our guide encouraged us to walk through so we did. The problem we got turned around and ended getting stuck for about 50 minutes and wandered for 250 meters. In the end, however, we made it out and all survived. Good times. Hooah.

Common Tasks Test

We were tested this week on the skill we had learned over the first two weeks. These tasks included communications; identifying map symbols, features and grid coordinates; demonstrating proper use of the protective mask (gas mask); evaluating a casualty (first aid); and understanding of chemical attacks.

Q & A Opportunity

One of my favorite parts of the week was the opportunity we were given to interact with our Chaplain leaders and their Chaplain Assistants. What a wealth of information these godly men had to offer! They answered ALL our questions candidly, which was tough since some of the questions were quite poignant.

Day & Night Infiltration

I was actually unable to participate in these activities during the week (extremely disappointed). My running profile kept me on the sidelines. During this activity, the Chaplains learned how to high and low crawl, inch under low-lying barbed wire and move tactically with a Chaplain Assistant. I should be able to make up this training in the coming weeks, which I am excited about.

Day Five

Friday was a welcomed slow day. We spent the morning cleaning our protective masks and washing the radios and HMMWV, or humvees. The best news came in the early afternoon. Besides being released at 1430 (2:30 p.m.), we were informed that next Friday would end around 1100 and passes would be available for the weekend. All that to say . . . I am going home for the weekend. To day that I am excited would be an understatement. I miss My Love, Little Man and Baby Doll like you wouldn’t believe. Our time together will be short but wonderful.

Thank you to those that continue to pray for our family and this process. The weeks are moving by rather quickly and we are now one quarter the way through training. Our God is great and good. I thank God mostly for sending His Only Begotten, Jesus Christ, do die so I might live. What a friend we have in Jesus, and what a Savior we serve!!!

Day One – Team Building
On Monday, CHBOLC marched out to the Obstacle Course to participate in some team-building, problem-solving exercises. I must say, I particularly enjoyed this event. We were able to work in our squads, which was nice as the seven of us have built pretty good relationships with one another.

We were proud to say that we completed all but one of the events. The only reason we weren’t able to complete that exercise was because some of the pieces were missing.

Day Two – Confidence Course
Tuesday started out with another road march out to the Confidence Course for some more team building and personal challenges. These obstacles were challenging and trying. I am not too found of heights, and some of these challenges really tried my nerves.

Two challenges were particularly nail-biting. One was called the sky-scraper and the other was the ladder. On the ladder, a soldier scales an oversized ladder about 30-40 feet up in the air, goes over the top and then comes down the other side. The sky scraper required 4 soldiers, Chaplains, to move level by level up a structure, requiring each individual to hang out over a possible scary fall. One learns to trust those he’s working with as well as his own strength.

Day Three – Chief of Chaplains
On Wednesday, CHBOLC had the privilege of welcoming the outgoing Chief of the Chaplains Corp, Chaplain (Major General) David Hicks. His career has been nothing but exemplary and it was an honor to hear him speak. His love for soldiers and the Chaplaincy was evident with every word he spoke and his words were an inspiration.

He took the time to walk us through his career, and then spoke of the importance of the Chaplaincy. He encouraged us to wait for the appropriate time to share our own beliefs and to know when to measure the situation for needed pluralism.

Day Four – Gas! Gas! Gas!
I have been fretting this day for the past eight months. All Army personnel must experience the GAS CHAMBER. The reason: Learn to trust that your protective mask (gas mask) works.

The event itself doesn’t take that long. Our instructors lead us into the chamber about 50 at a time. We are then told to lift up our masks and spout off our rank, full name, social security number and SERGEANT. Once that is completed, the trainee covers his face with his mask, clears it 3 times and can then breathe. At the end of the exercise, they make you take off your mask, wait for 15 seconds, open your eyes and then walk out. Not a fun experience to say the least, but it is over and I passed.

Day Five – First Aid
Friday afternoon, we took a 4 hour block and spent some time learning necessary first aid skills. We covered CPR, choking, open chest wounds, other wounds, shock and more. It was fairly basic information, but brought to reality what I am doing. There is a good chance that I will see an open chest wound and need to act quickly. This information could very well save a soldiers life.

I take this type of training particularly serious because I am non-combatant. Since I cannot carry a gun, I must be able to help out in some other way. Rendering first aid is one of the best ways a Chaplain can lend a helping hand.

Conclusion
It was another great week. Pretty much everything went by without a hitch. Friday did have a little bump in the road, or should I say hole in the field, for yours truly. On Friday, during PT, we were doing high steps and I found a hole. My entire weight came down on my right ankle and I rolled it over pretty badly. I am on a profile for the next week and cannot participate in PT (not what I wanted). Fortunately, it could have been much worse and I am blessed my ankle should recover.

For those that have been praying for our family: THANK YOU. We covet them more than you know! God Bless!

Sorry it has been such a long time since a decent post. The first week of CH-BOLC has come and gone, and I must say it might be the busiest week I have ever had. The mornings begin early adn the days go long. Last Sunday, at 1500 hours, the students met for the first time at the USACHSC (United States Army Chaplain School and Course) building at Ft. Jackson and things got underway. There are currently 137 students at the school, which is the largest class to come through the school since Theodore Roosevelt was president. Wildly enough, the class is only going to grow as the summer continues.

I want to give you a brief synopsis of the week’s events, and I will try to be better about updating a bit more often.

INPROCESSING

Inprocessing is what the word the Army uses to refer to “checking in.” To say inprocessing is an involved process would be an understatement. This process has included the gathering of student information; giving blood; lectures on finance, equal opportunity, Tricare and sexual harassment; issuance of TA-50 (ruck sack, Kevlar, canteens, etc.); meeting with JAG; purchasing uniforms; and the list goes on.

NON-COMBATANT

During the week, we also discussed the non-combatant status of the Chaplain. In case you didn’t know, Chaplains do not carry weapons. Actually, Chaplains are not supposed to touch any weapons and are NEVER authorized to participate in combat in such a manner. Some Chaplains have a problem with this, while I do not. I did not come into the Army to shoot guns, but to share the good news of Jesus Christ and provide for the spiritual needs of my soldiers. Since the Chaplain does not carry a weapon, he is provided a Chaplain Assistant. This assistant is responsible for helping the Chaplain with ministry needs, and when in combat, this he acts as the Chaplains “body guard.”

MARCHING

On Friday, we spent the day learning how to march, salute and some other necessities in the military. This was extremely helpful since I have no prior military experience. What we learned and digested in one day, is what BCT soldiers take four weeks to learn. Needless to say, we still need some work, but we can get by and look fairly good at what we’re doing.

VICTORY TOWER

The final thing we did for the week was Victory Tower. The major parts of this event were a march to the site of the tower and rappelling down a 60 foot wall. Everyone did an excellent job, and yours truly even found it within his body to go over the edge. It was a nervous moment, but a fun one at that.

CONCLUSION

Honestly . . . I LOVE THIS STUFF! I was ready to rappel again, but we weren’t allowed to because of our size. The week was full and my body is tired. We now have one week down and have three to go during this CIMT (Chaplain Initial Military Training) Phase. I miss my family desperately and anxiously await the day when I can hold them in my arms. The Lord continues to provide me with His grace, and I am thankful for His loving-kindness and ever-present strength. Thank you for your prayers, and continue to remember our Soldiers and the Chaplains that serve them.

Well, this post will definitely be short and filled with errors. I arrived safely at CH-BOLC and have gotten settled in. On Sunday afternoon, inprocessing began, and we have been going 90 to nothing ever since. I hope to keep you updated on the process of checking in and the ins and outs of CH-BOLC. Until then, it is 2215 (10:15 pm) and I must awake at 0330 (in the morning). So, it’s off to bed I go. Thank you for your prayers!

I recently came across a blog post entitled “Soldiers” written by Chaplain (MAJ) Jim Higgins. CH Higgins is currently stationed in Iraq. I will post his article below, but please go to his site and let him know of your appreciation.

I recently attended a showing of “Spiderman 3″ here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorioum we use for movies as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom back in the States, we stood and snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through the National Anthem the music stopped.

Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sit down and call for a movie. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.

Here, the 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward.

The music started again. The Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect to happen? Even here I would imagine laughter as everyone sat down and expected the movie to start.

Here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier stood at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand Soldiers.

And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,

o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq. I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here.