All posts in Chaplain Candidate

Hey everyone! My last Chaplain Candidate update was on September 02, 2010. In the last post I executed my “oath of office” and sent in the AR Form-71 and a week later received an appointment to the Army Reserve. I was then assigned to the 81^st Regional Support Command out of Fort Jackson, they handle all chaplain/candidates assignments. On Oct 29, 2010, I received orders and was assigned to the 11^th Aviation Command HHC out of Fort Knox, KY. I will begin drilling this weekend and am pretty pumped!

The timeline from the time I passed my MEPS physical, to being assigned to a drilling unit, it has taken 6 months. I have learned patience and keeping my attitude in check during this time of transition. Now for me, I have to focus on finishing Seminary, gain experience as a pastor and learn all that I can from the Chaplain I have been placed under.

Each Chaplain candidate will be placed with a unit under a chaplain, this not only helps gain knowledge but a sounding board for questions/concerns. I have received orders for CHBOLC(Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course) CIMT & Phase 1. I am hoping to be able to complete the entire training (three months).  I will post again after I participate in my first drill, Battle Assembly. Until then:

For all believers, we can be who God created us to be anywhere we are! God’s grace has allowed us to receive salvation and it is through Jesus that we find our purpose in life!

Check out Ephesians 2:8-10: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Hey everyone. My last Chaplain Candidate post was on May 26, 2010 and my  packet has been approved by the  Chaplain Board. And 90 days later I received my AR form 71 “Oath of Office” paperwork.  Once you receive your oath of office you should already have in mind how you will execute the oath. I was thinking about a ceremony for friends and family, however the timing was not right.  And the next question was, “who” can perform such an oath? I was told by my recruiter that a current officer in any branch of service, along with, any retired officer. There are other qualified people outside of the service to help with this but I recommend an officer that you know. The AR form 71 also lists who can perform such an oath. I began thinking about the length of time it took to receive my paper work and so I wanted to execute the oath as quickly as I could and send it back. Luckily, my Dad is a retired Reserve officer, captain, and he was able to perform my oath. I sent the paperwork back and in a week and a half I received my appointment letter stating that I have been assigned to the USAR or US ARMY RESERVE.

So, I am now an official Second Lieutenant in the US ARMY RESERVE!!!  I need your support/accountability from here until January when I begin (CHBOLC) Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course. Also, I will be breaking out the old P90X workout in October and hopefully in good shape at the start of CHBOLC.

From this point I can only assume that the next step is being assigned to a reserve unit here in Kentucky. I am eager to begin drilling with soldiers once again and learn as much as I can under a seasoned chaplain.

If you are starting the process of becoming a chaplain candidate one thing to keep in mind is that things will feel very slow, but be patient. God has things under control, lean on Him and He will make straight your path.

Love God Love People
2LT Ryan Marcum