Air Force Update

On March 24th, I was commissioned into the Air Force Reserves as a 2nd Lieutenant Chaplain Candidate by my good friend, Dan McCullough (Major, USAF) from Colorado Springs. This was a culmination of 1 1/2 year application process. It was nice to have it done. On Monday, Jen and I went to NAS Ft. Worth JRB to get our ID's and DOD vehicle tags. I gotta admit, it was weird to have a guy salute me when I entered the base. I liked it, but it was weird, especially since I won't go to training until this summer.

Speaking of training, I will be at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL from 29 May until 13 July. The first four weeks will be COT (Commissioned Officers Training) with other Chaplains, doctors, and lawyers. The final two weeks will be CCC (Chaplain Candidate Course). I am excited about it. Unfortunately, Jen will not be able to accompany me on this training, but she will get to come out at the end of the first four weeks for graduation. There will be a Dining-in Ceremony where I get to wear my mess dress (Air Force tux) and a graduation with a military parade. If any of you are interested in attending, please let me know.

After CCC, Jen and I are planning on going on vacation for a week. This location is to be determined, but we are looking at Florida. We can't make any final arrangements until I get my orders from the Air Force.

Well, hope you've enjoyed the update and the following pictures.

Taking the Oath of Office.

My first salute to Major Dan McCullough, my superior officer.

Handshake after the salute.















I asked Jen to pin on the bars after the oath.

Dr. Vann (on the right) is a Retired US Army Chaplain (Colonel) and one of my professors at Southwestern.

Here are two Navy Chaplain Candidates.

I gave Jen some roses to thank her in advance for the journey ahead.

Jen and I enjoying life after the ceremony.

A much needed update!

I have been rebuked for not updating my blog, thanks, Laura. :-) But I have to admit, I needed the reminder! So much has gone on since my last post. We are settled into our new apartment and love it! It is so nice to have the extra room (both bedroom and space). One of our friends from Colorado has already used the room when he visited recently. School is going well! Only two weeks to go from today. I have one major paper (12-15 pages and I've been to the library once and haven't started it yet), 2 short papers (2 pages each), and currently 4 finals, but my Hermeneutics may be cancelled. My Old Testament was cancelled already and it would be awesome if my Hermeneutics professor decides to do the same thing.

Let me tell you, taking 16 credits was a lot to do this semester with a wife, work, and church!! But, I'm almost done and it looks like I'll do fine in my classes. If I finish well (when I receive the grades on my papers and finals), then I will possibly make the Dean's List again. To make the Dean's List, you must have a 3.9 GPA for the semester. I am borderline. At the lowest, I think I would have a 3.88, but I want the 3.9!

Jen is doing well. She is beginning to study for her exam to become a licensed social worker. She should take the test in the next few weeks. She is involved in a Bible study with girls from our Sunday School class and enjoys that a lot. She still loves her car.

Since the weather has been warmed up, we have been able to enjoy the Jeep without the doors and top. Don't worry, we have been safe from all of the tornadoes that have been in our area. Some have been close and it is quite wild to hear the tornado warning sirens go off, but everything has been at least a few miles away.

Well, I will post some pictures and talk about the Air Force in the next post!