Navy PRT

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I had another Navy PRT on my agenda for today. Not much difference from my last one (linked here).

• Curl Ups: 83 (82: Excellent Medium)
  
• Push Ups: 39 (63: Good Low)
  
• 1.5 Mile Run: 14:45 (55: Satisfactory High)
  

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• Results: 200: Satisfactory High

BTW - the picture here is of an Air Force PFT - I could not find an image of a Navy PFT!!

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Countdown

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According to my Google counter, I have 53 days until the life changing experience of entering the active duty Navy Chaplain's Corps!

(No orders yet - I am speaking 53 days in faith!!)

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Waiting

Times of waiting are never easy. I have a sense of what God would have us to do in the future, but there is a time of waiting that is part of the process. I am trying to ensure that I learn the lesson that God wants for me as I wait for the next move in my journey toward the chaplaincy.

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Scroll

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As of today, I continue to wait for my scroll approval (prospective commissioned officers are listed on a document (often called a scroll) which has to go through congress and then be signed off on by the Secretary of Defense).
I found out today that my DC hotel mate's scroll is back and that he is slated for the August ODS. Also a new friend from Florida whose chaplain application and scroll dates are very similar to mine is being told to continue to plan for a 6/19 commissioning ceremony.
In the words of my processor:

You never know. The scroll approval could come through tomorrow or it could be August. I have seen scroll approved in as little as 4 weeks and as long as 16 weeks (that was a one time deal when the scrolls ended up sitting on someone's desk - hasn't happened since).

The journey has been long and waiting is hard. God has seen us through up to this point, and I know he will in the weeks ahead - even if I have to wait for January before going to ODS.

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Navy ODS

Ah the fun of a journey back into military "basic training." It will be interesting to go through this training with members of several other Navy communities (medical, dental, legal, etc.). And I take comfort knowing that I will not be the oldest student in my ODS class.

Navy ODS Tips and Insights

Navy ODS Tips and Insights

Hey Ya'll! I just got out of Navy ODS and I'm here with some tips for you guys.

Things to bring:
unscented baby wipes (unless you like to smell like baby): you don't always have time to take a proper shower
those facial cleansing clothes that don't require water (see above)

iPod. They never specifially say you can use them, but they're fair game on weekends and evenings (well, evenings after the second week)

computer. Yeah, they say you can bring on on the website. There is PLENTY of storage space in YOUR room, locked up with YOUR lock. Bring it. You won't get internet access unless you're in wing 6, but it comes in handy, nonetheless.

watch. You won't be allowed to wear it until week 4 or 5, but you'll be glad you have it then.

Crappy glasses (if you wear them). You'll need crappy ones.

Contact lenses. At the very least, you'll want them for fire fighting and abaondon ship. They also make PT better. Nobody likes to run/do pushups with their glasses sliding down their noses!

Notebook. Scrap paper comes in very handy, and the last few weeks, you'll be allowed to carry it to class. Taking notes is a handy way to stay awake in power point hell. You'll understand when you get there.

Blanket. If you are in RI during anything except July and August, you'll want a blanket. They turn the heat off in the building because of the smell (remember the lack of proper showers?). The blankets you'll be issued are crap, plus you can't actually use them. You won't be sleeping in your bed. On it, maybe, but not in it. Bring a blanket, or buy a cheap on at the NEX when you get there.

Civilian clothes. Yeah. The website says to bring as few civvies as possible. Ignore that. Figure you'll have three weekends of liberty while you're there. That's Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday for three weekends. Pack accordingly.

Gel insoles. You'll be standing and walking pretty much 18 hours a day the first week or two. Then you'll be drilling for grad practice for HOURS at a time. Bring insoles. They'll save you.

Air freshener. Your room will need it.

Swiffer, and all swiffer-related items. You'll need them to clean your room. They place is ALWAYS dusty. You'll need them. There is a gear locker where you can check out items. These are at a premium, and you won't always have time to go all the way to the gear locker.

Books, if you like to read. I read more at ODS than I had in years. Bring reading material.

Playing cards. You'll have spare time, especially the last two weeks. Playing cards are a GREAT passtime, plus you get to socialize with your division. Use that iPod and the cool thing that turns it into a stereo. Good times.

Okay. I'll post more items to bring as I remember them. Here is the lowdown on what to expect the first few days.

You'll check in Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Enjoy these days. No one will yell at you. Leave the building. Use this opportunity to get to know your division. Go off base. You won't leave base again for three weeks. Enjoy it.

Monday: no one will yell at you this day, either. It's admin day. You'll be bored. Enjoy the boredom. Relish the boredom. You won't be bored again for a while.

Tuesday: it's go-time. They will tell you to be up and ready at 5am. It's really 4am. Be ready to go, IN YOUR ROOM by 0345. You won't regret it.

Make sure the people near the hall doors are comfortable with rank and recognition. Also, make sure somebody is posted there watching to see who's coming through the doors. You'll have to call "attention on deck," "chief on deck," ect all the time. You'll get dropped (pushups, punitive PT, etc) if somebody walks in and nobody calls it.

You'll be issued a water bottle. It will be with you AT ALL TIMES. They will try to trick you with this the first REAL day of training. They'll tell you to ground your bottle. Tell you it goes with you everywhere, then send you to your rooms to get something. TAKE YOUR BOTTLE WITH YOU!!! This is a trick. You may not get YOUR water bottle back if you don't take it to your room with you.

Know your left from your right. This is invaluable.

Learn how to iron.

Know how to do your own laundry.

Practice taking REALLY quick, REALLY cold showers.

Get used to having no privacy. The shower curtains...not large enough to cover most of...anything.

When you check into your room on the day you arrive, you'll notice a little green notebook on your desk. Take this notebook, and write in it:
you chain of command (located on one of the bulletin boards in your hallway)
11 general orders of a sentry
Sailor's creed
Anchor's aweigh (all verses)
Navy/USMC rank and recognition
This is your knowledge. Memorize it. You'll be expected to recite from memory at will ANY and ALL of this. Especially during uniform inspections.

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Congratulations

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A letter arrived in the mail today from the Navy Recruiting Command:

Congratulations on your selection to the Chaplain Corps Direct Appointment Program. Competition has been keen and you should be proud of your selection.

I guess that means I am mostly in. All that remains are the commissioning documents and orders to school (hopefully for August).

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Navy PRT

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I had a Navy PRT on my agenda for today. This morning I did the strength portions (curl ups and push ups) in my living room, and this afternoon, I finally decided to brave the rain to go out to do the 1.5 mile run. Here are my results:

• Curl Ups: 82 (84: Excellent Medium)
  
• Push Ups: 38 (64: Good Low)
  
• 1.5 Mile Run: 14:40 (59: Satisfactory High)
  

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• Results: 207: Satisfactory High
  

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Professionally Recommended

GW has been "professionally recommended" by the Navy CARE board. This means that I am considered fully qualified to be a chaplain. Now I have to wait for my commissioning documents before everything will be finalized.
We are hoping for a slot in the August school. If we don't make that school, then I would have to wait for January (which would be a difficult journey). I am of the mindset that since I am going to do this, I want to do it sooner rather than later. Please continue to pray with us.

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To Washington DC and Back

On Wednesday, May 20, I was informed that I had been invited to Washington D.C. to interview with the Navy CARE (Chaplain Accession Retention & Evaluation) board. This is the final step in the application process for active duty Navy chaplaincy (those that are selected for chaplaincy are generally offered a final selection in the form of a commission).
The interview itself went fine (after getting over a case of the nerves on the first two questions). Not sure where the board will land regarding my application (along with four more that were interviewed). It is now in God's hands (and those of this group of distinguished senior chaplains).

Friday (5/29) addition: From my hotel mate: "He [our chaplain recruiter] told me at the airport that he felt pretty good about the both of us and that when he talked to the board after each of our interviews they seemed very pleased. His impression from them was favorable."

Blessings,
G

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