All posts tagged Chaplain Candidate

Chaplain Candidate Sojourn 6

by Ryan Marcum on January 4, 2011 in Blog, Chaplain Candidate with 1 Comment

Hey everyone! I am headed to the first half of CHBOLC (Chaplain School) for the US Army at Fort Jackson SC. There are some things that I need to memorize before I get there and thought this would help anyone else headed to CHBOLC. The following are some things that I am memorizing for school:

Soldiers Creed:
I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.

Warriors Ethos:
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.

7 Army Values:
loyalty
duty
respect
selfless-service
honor
integrity
personal courage

Army Song:
Intro:
March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free
Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory
We’re the Army and proud of our name
We’re the Army and proudly proclaim

Verse:
First to fight for the right,
And to build the Nation’s might,
And The Army Goes Rolling Along
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battle’s won,
And the Army Goes Rolling Along.

Refrain:
Then it’s Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army’s on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along.

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.

Why Army Chaplaincy

by Ryan Marcum on March 11, 2010 in Blog, Chaplain Candidate with No comments

Growing up in a home with parents who served God was a key influence on my life. My parents were involved with ministry as a whole, and looking back, I can remember watching them specifically around Youth Ministry. Every moment the church doors were open my family was in attendance or serving were we could. I became a believer at the age of 12 while my family attended Bardstown Junction Baptist Church. I went to Summer Camp the following year at the age of 13 and felt as if God was calling me into the ministry. Not knowing what to do, I kept my feelings of calling inside. After graduating High School in 1996, I joined the Army and served for 3 years. While I was in the Army, I volunteered in Ministry. After serving my term in the Army I attended College and went nowhere. I knew that I was created for much more than the secular college had for me. I met my wife and was married to her while waiting for her graduation I worked as a custodian at a local church. I met the pastor regularly and he mentored me and my calling. After my wife graduated from eastern Kentucky University we decided it was time to pursue my calling, something I had been avoiding for some time. I attended Boyce College, undergraduate school of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and graduated 4 years later with a Bachelor’s Degree in Youth Ministry.

Since I can remember I have always wanted to serve in the United States Army. I have been out of active duty service for ten years and have always thought about re-joining but felt the timing wasn’t right. God’s timing is not our timing. Recently my wife and I have been in conversation about the pros and cons of joining the Army as a chaplain. After much prayer and consideration we have both come to a place of peace and assurance.

I am ready to serve my God and country to the best of my ability knowing that it is with God’s strength that I live, move and have my being. No longer looking to the past I move forward as God calls and He will direct my path.

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.
    •