Chaplain Candidate Unit Assignment

I realize I have not kept my blog followers abreast of the latest news, so...

On 21 March, I was finally assigned to the 63rd Regional Support Command, out of Moffett Field, CA. )http://www.usar.army.mil/arweb/organization/commandstructure/USARC/SUPPORT/63RSC/Pages/default.aspx)  The 63rd oversees the Reserve units in seven states.  

But the big news came on 24 March, when 

ACTIVE DUTY ORDERS!

Well, today I was ordered to Active Duty! "Active Duty for Training", that is.  These are my orders to attend the Chaplain School for 41 days.  Hooah!  This is for CIMT and Phase 1.  I will have two more phases to complete within the next two years.  I am to report for "duty" on 22 May, but not sure what day I will leave for school, as the government travel agent will determine that. I will be back in Houston, AND back on Reserve status on 01 July. Already starting to miss my Babe.....

04 January 2011 - A Setback

Well, on the same day I went to take my Oath of Office, i received a certified packet in the mail from the Army Security Clearance Facility, Fort Mead, saying that my security clearance has been suspended because of a few unpaid debts (in collection) going back three years ago or more.  Their thinking is that this could potentially pose a threat if it lead to criminal behavior.  The cruddy thing is, I told my recruiter about the bad debt over a year ago, I discussed it in detail during my security interview back in August, and the debt totals less than $10,000.  In the grand scheme of things, sure seems like a small amount to be considered a security risk.

What also adds to the frustration is that during my security interview, I shared with the investigator that my wife and I had done a 180 turnaround 20 months ago after going through Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University".  I also showed the investigator our debt snowball plan and shared with him our written budget, demonstrating that our financial practices were genuinely on the right track.  He was SATISFIED with my explanations and financial plans (at least that is what he told me!).

Anyway, I spoke to my new recruiter (old one is now stationed in Hawaii) today, and he sounds very optimistic that this will be resolved.

So...please pray with me that this WILL be resolved, and resolved QUICKLY!  Because without that Security Clearance, there is no Chaplain Candidacy. 

FAQ - Can I be deployed any time soon?

The short answer is "No".  Chaplain candidates are in a training status.  As such, they are nondeployable. Because chaplain candidates have not yet met the requirements to serve as chaplains, they would be unable to provide any ministerial function while deployed.  This will my situation for at least the next four years.

I will, however, be assigned to a local Reserve unit within the next 31 days.  I will drill/train with them and assit their Chaplain in his or her (yes, it could be a female Chaplain!) duties.

To My South Drive Family!

A few have already asked with my South Drive family if this means I am leaving. The short answer is, "Absolutely NOT!" Within the next few days, I will explain how this new role will or will not impact my civilian ministry. To all at South Drive, I say, "Ask away!" Ask on here, ask in person, ask privately or publicly. It was for you that I primarily created this blog.

28 December 2010

Today marks two special events: the beginning of my Chaplain Candidate blog, and the day I took my Oath of Office as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Reserve.  Keep checking back for updates on my Chaplain journey!

Hooah!  For God and Country!!