The Journey begins

I will be leaving this Sunday (2 August) to begin the journey to Iraq. I will have to spend a few days in South Carolina to do the usual medical checks and make sure I haven't forgotten what I learned (I have only been out of the Chaplain school a little over a year). From there I will go on to a mobilization station for a while and then on across the ocean. The only part of this that really bothers me is being away from my family. I have never been away from my family longer than 3 months; but all was well during that time and I have faith that all will be well this time.

Finally...

Today that elusive oath of office was emailed to me. Tomorrow I am going to Blacksburg (the closest officer I could find) and take that oath of office and finally officially be a chaplain. I then should expect orders maybe within the next week and a half to two weeks.

Still waiting, but a little light.

Well, I am still waiting for my oath of office. No matter how impatient I get and no matter what questions I ask, there is no way to speed up the process. I did however, get the chance to talk to the chaplain in the unit that I will be replacing in Iraq. He laid out how the tour will be and it seens to be a pretty good tour. Soon I will get my oath of office and once that's done I can finally get my orders. Everything else is done. I am approved for the tour and expected in the unit. Just have to get this last round of paperwork wrapped up. I need to get a camera that is compatible with my laptop's operating system so I can post some cool pictures once I get to Iraq.

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Well fans, I was approved for the chaplaincy in March - it is now July and I do not have an appointment letter and oath of office. The Secretary of Defense did sign the list with my name on it the other week but I still do not have my oath. I am supposed to be the religious support for the 192nd MP Battalion heading to Iraq soon, but until I am sworn in as a chaplain, I can't go anywhere. I am not thrilled with the idea of leaving my family behind - my little one will be 4 on 20 July, but I am anxious to finally get the chance to do the job I have been through 7 years of school and 6 months of chaplain training (both institutional and on the job) to do.