All posts tagged Army Chaplain

Chaplain Candidate Sojourn 3

by Ryan Marcum on May 26, 2010 in Blog, Chaplain Candidate with 1 Comment

Hey everyone. My last Chaplain Candidate post was on April 2, 2010 and I was waiting for my packet to be approved/disapproved by the Chaplain Board. (US Army, Reserve). So this is an update and encouragement for those just starting out in the process or in the same boat.

My packet (paperwork/security clearance/MEPS physical/endorsement) went before the Chaplain Board on May 11-12. I got a phone call on Friday the 14, from my recruiter, letting me know that I was approved to be a chaplain candidate! I felt a huge weight being lifted and had a peace about the whole process. I started the paperwork with my recruiter back in October of 2009, and have been anxiously waiting to start drilling with a local RESERVE unit and learn from a seasoned chaplain.

Since my packet has been approved, I am now waiting for a letter of Oath of Office (30-60 days after the board), so I can swear-in as a second lieutenant in the US Army Reserve! I will be doing a swearing in ceremony, for family and friends, to document this memorable occasion.

I am extremely excited about beginning this path of ministry for two reasons. First, I have always had a place in my heart for the Army, its mission and its lifestyle. For me, being prior service, I enjoyed the simplicity of the Army. I knew what I was doing when I woke up and was ready to train, maintain my equipment and “be” a soldier. Second, I am called to ministry. The idea of living out my call to ministry and affinity for the US Army; is a dream that could only come from God and the way He created me.

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:

8 For z by grace you have been saved a through faith. And this is b not your own doing; c it is the gift of God, 9 d not a result of works, e so that no one may boast. 10 For f we are his workmanship, g created in Christ Jesus h for good works, i which God prepared beforehand, j that we should walk in them.

Chaplain Candidate Sojourn 2

by Ryan Marcum on April 2, 2010 in Blog, Chaplain Candidate with 4 Comments

OK everyone, this is the second post in my Chaplain Candidate series. In this post I am going to explain the “process” that I have experienced thus far in my journey at becoming an Army Chaplain. I started the process around August of 2009, not with a recruiter but with God and my Wife. My advice, for someone looking at the Chaplain Candidate Program or Army Chaplaincy, would be to start with the heart. Seek the desires of your heart to make sure this is something you feel God effectually calling you to. DO NOT SEEK ARMY CHAPLAINCY IF: its about money, family dream or to impress. The Call of a minister is one of servanthood from God to reach a people back to Himself. Seek God, talk with your family and take it slow DO NOT RUSH into this decision.

Around October of 2009, I decided to contact my local recruiter and was put on hold for a long time…. like most people seeking information about Army Chaplaincy or the Candidate Program, I could not find a lot of info. Unless you live in a city that has a Chaplain specific recruiter it will be difficult to get the process going. I emailed the GO ARMY website and was contacted in a couple of days from my Chaplain recruiter who is based in Illinois.

From October thru the first part of December my recruiter and I sent a lot of information (medical records, faith group endorsement, essay on why army chaplaincy, background checks)  back an forth through email, fax and snail mail. My recruiter kept encouraging me through this process by saying, “the paper work is the hard part after that its all down hill.” January 2010 rolled around and I was getting antsy about the waiting… it feels like forever to get rolling toward towards the goal of Candidacy. February came and I was scheduled for MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) here in Louisville. If you are gearing up for MEPS my advice would be to get below your max weight! DO NOT DEPEND on the tape test. Since I am prior service there was a different weight max than non-prior service. ASK YOUR RECRUITER for height/weight info, and make WEIGHT not TAPE. I went to MEPS and was over-weight, the nurse taped me and I came up short by 2 inches, thus I had to go back home to exercise and diet for one month and try it again. I drastically changed my lifestyle and cut my calories in half and started a cardio plan mixed with P90X and lost 13 pounds in a month and passed my second trip to MEPS!

Once you pass MEPS its all downhill… have you heard the term “hurry up and wait”, well that is where I am at the moment. My Chaplain Candidate packet is set to go before the candidate board in May (11-12). Once May 11-12 rolls around I will post another article about the next steps in my sojourn. Leave a comment if this has helped or if you have any questions. I will try and answer or get you in touch with someone who knows more!

Army Chaplain Corps Video

by Ryan Marcum on February 24, 2010 in Blog, Chaplain Candidate with No comments

Here is  a video that I have found that, to me, is very motivational. I am proud to be on the path of becoming an Army Chaplain. I can think of no greater purpose than to serve my God and serve my country. If you are on the same journey, please leave a comment below.

Chaplain Candidate Sojourn 1

by Ryan Marcum on February 22, 2010 in Blog, Chaplain Candidate with 3 Comments

Most of you know by now that I am pursuing that which I believe God calling me towards. I am on my way to becoming a Chaplain in the United States Army. Today was my day to go downtown Louisville for a fun-trip to MEPS. MEPS stands for Military Entrance Processing Station and it is not much fun. For me, this is not my first rodeo… I was an enlisted soldier right out of high school for three year and I have always wanted to re-join. Until now, I have not had the opportunity nor the desire to re-enlist in a combat MOS (Military Occupational Specialty). My wife, after much prayer, has given me the green light to pursue Chaplian Candidacy and then ultimately Active Duty Chaplaincy. Therefore, I went downtown today for my Commissioning Physical and without getting into much detail am on track to go before a Chaplain Board in May. After the board I will be assigned to a reserve unit here in Louisville to serve/learn under a Chaplain. I will also be scheduled to go to Chaplain School (CH-BOLC) part 1 or CIMT.

  • Please continue to pray for:1. I prepare for the Chaplain Board.
    2. Family will grow (numerically and spiritually) during this sojourn.
    3. The soldiers that I will be in contact with while a Chaplain Candidate and an Active Duty Chaplain.
    •