Now that I have completed the Initial Military Training portion of my time here at Fort Jackson, I have a little more free time in which to breathe, sleep, and generally catch up on life.  If you are curious, Initial Military Training for chaplains does not look that much different from the rest of the Army, except we do not handle or qualify with weapons.  This is because we are, first and foremost, soldiers in the U.S. Army.  We learn to march as soldiers, we do physical training and have to pass at the same standard as the rest of the Army; we learn to move in a tactical environment, are trained in combat lifesaving techniques, experience the dreaded gas chamber and learn to fight in a contaminated environment, and then we do a little more physical training.  On top of these basic soldier skills, we are trained in Army doctrine, ethics and in Chaplain-specific issues such as navigating faith in a pluralistic environment (I even had the opportunity to attend a Wiccan “worship” service).

Much of this time is a slog, and it is often unapologetically intense, like “drinking the Kool-Aid through a firehose” as our instructors like to say.  However, there are also some quieter moments that I cherish deeply.  An hour into our morning physical training, for instance, it is a distinct honor to salute the flag during Reveille at 0600, and then to watch the sunrise.

A passage of scripture, which I keep coming back to during training, is from 1Corinthians, chapter 9.  Paul explains, “though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them” (1Cor 9.19).  I volunteered to put myself through this and to serve wherever the Army needs me.  There have certainly been times here when we have all questioned why we are here: on a road march at 4am, or at 6pm during our umpteenth slide presentation of the day (aka death by PowerPoint).  But Paul reminds me, “I do it for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings” (1Cor 9.23).  Thank you for the reminder, Paul.  I do it for the sake of the gospel!

This passage continues into a well-known metaphor of the athlete in training: “Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.  So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified”  (1Cor 9.25-27).  Make no mistake; my body has been punished over these past weeks.  We have become well acquainted with the ‘front leaning rest position’ – the Drill Sergeants’ favorite four words [and for the unaccustomed, that is the starting position for the pushup]. 

For sure, at the end of these 92 days I will win an earthly prize – the coveted Chaplain Corps pin – but this is not why I came here.  I must keep my eye on the imperishable prize, that of strengthening the Church, of bringing God to soldiers and soldiers to God. 

I am in a physically demanding military training environment.  This scripture makes sense to me.  But how can you apply this to your own life?  You are all free, yes, but when you offer yourself in service through the Church are you not also enslaving yourself to the gospel?  When you show up to deliver meals on wheels, or give time to St. Vincent’s House, or prepare the altar for worship, you are giving a little of your freedom in order to further the work of the gospel.  

However, how do we keep ourselves focused on that ‘imperishable prize,’ and not get distracted by the perishable gimmicks all around us?  In what parts of our lives are we unwilling to make ourselves a ‘slave to all?’  In what ways do we still ‘run aimlessly?’

Though we are separated geographically this summer, I hope we can all remember to say sincerely, “I do it for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.”

Blessings and peace,
Fr. Nick