It has been quite a first full week down here for Phase 3 of Chaplain Basic training. (CH-BOLC) We had "Capstone" this week which is a culminating field event where we get time to practice some of the things we've been trained to do in previous phases. We left early Tuesday morning and "rucked" (marched) out to our field camp to begin training. (4.1 miles) We had time to preach, practice ramp ceremonies with fake flag draped coffins, brief the commander on soldier issues, use Blue Force Tracker (a computer based communication tool) to coordinate getting UMT(chaplain: unit ministry team support) to a hurting unit, create memorial services, and go through MASCAL (mass casualty) events. We low crawled through mud, over rope ladders, and under barbed wire and got to spend some time with young enlisted soldiers during a live fire exercise. The tougher part of the week was being awoken in the middle of the night with simulated mortar attacks, rolling out of bed to put on our boots, gas masks, body armor and helmet in order to stumble in the dark to a cement shelter. Those who didn't make it on time were declared KIA (killed in action). It was a strange experience, prepared to get us ready for the day we go down range. Early Friday morning we were again awoken with the mortars going off outside our tent and when we got to our shelter were told that we were being overrun by the enemy and had ten minutes to get our gear and get on the road...
We were exhausted (and very stinky!) after marching home early Friday morning but looking back, we will likely have fond memories of our time. I had several great friends from years past to share this week with and will treasure some of the conversations we shared over MREs (meals ready to eat). These meals are tough on the gut but keep you going! (Try the osmotic raisins and veal patty sometime :)
Coming home to Christina and the kids was extra nice! We got to relax this weekend with some time at the beach on Saturday. We had a good time at our Southern Full Gospel Church here in Columbia and then spent time at local park by the University of South Carolina campus on a beautiful spring afternoon. The kids are doing great and seem to be adjusting to their home away from home.
During worship this morning Herbie asked me to hold him. As we worshipped Herbie kept singing one word over and over: "Cowabunga." That's my boy! Made me smile...I'm sure Jesus received that.
Two more weeks...
Blessings,
Dave
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