It's official. I am a chaplain candidate of the United States Navy (Reserve). What this means - honestly not a whole lot. Although I can now wear the uniform when occasion calls for it, I can't be called to active duty until I have finished my masters program, and even then I think I still have other paperwork to do. I believe the term I heard used was non-deployable asset. My papers went before the board in November sometime, and I heard back from the recruiters the first couple days of December. On Dec 14th at about 1500 (after another good hour of paperwork) I was sworn in as an Ensign. They gave me a certificate, and I went straight back to working on a final project.
I've finished another semester, this one was harder than the last. One of the other candidates totaled our writing at about 125 pages, and I don't even want to know how many pages we read. I feel like I'm being bludgeoned over the head with knowledge. I don't know what my grades will be but I'm expecting somewhere around a 3.5 g.p.a. Next semester I'll be starting CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education). CPE has nothing to do with the military itself. There are chaplain jobs at hospitals, prisons, universities, large businesses, and pretty much anywhere pluralistic environment needs to be managed.CPE is a one year course with a weekly class and a minimum number of hours spent volunteering as a chaplain at a hospital. If you were really smart you would find a CPE program to go through before you start your masters program, and get it done before. Most programs require only one quarter, and give you 6 credits for it. Finishing the whole course will make you a better chaplain though, so if you can, I would recommend doing all of it. I'm going to try and get through all four quarters while in the masters program, which will be a lot of work, and require some special concessions from the supervising chaplain.
As for life - I have a new son. Brought into this world just before 1100 on 17th of November. He gave me an early start into thanksgiving break. I know this blog is supposed to be about the journey to becoming a chaplain. Having a family is definitely part of that journey. The next time you get a chance, hold a newborn baby in your arms, with no distractions around you. Feel their little presence, straight from God. I dare you to find any place that is closer to heaven and God's footstool. You can feel Him, and His love radiating in the new life that he has entrusted to your arms. You can feel your own insignificance, and that, in spite of your insignificance, He loves you just as much as He loves that child. It's a lot to take in. For those of you who are to become chaplains ... engrave that love on your souls. It is the love that God has for each of his children, and that you will be responsible for relaying. It may be to one lone sailor on the deck of ship, or to thousands of Marines in a large battalion.
