Day One

It's in the books. It was a good day. The Army's inability to overcome simple obstacles never ceases to amaze me, though. My orders weren't ready today. Since we've gone to a "banker's hours" army in the rear, often run through civilians, such things as mobilization orders don't quite get the priority one would think. So, it is a hurry-up-and-wait game again. So, I occupied myself getting done what I could without orders.

Great people in this unit so far. Met my two resident atheists and Wiccan. Very nice people. It's funny that, no matter where I go as a chaplain it is always that crew that I seem to meet first. It's like they're testing the waters with me. Am I a nut-case, or reasonable? I try to strike a balance, I think. Reasonably nutty? I look forward to prayer for them this year, along with some good theological conversations.

I still have lots of online training to catch up on before I'm up with the group, but it should go fast - there are some benefits to not having to go through the often torturous unit training events. I endured many of the same, standard classes - combat stress, cold weather injuries, sniper awareness, fraternization, harassment, etc. I also had to go through the massive paperwork shuffle that prepares such morbid things as my will, life insurance and disposition of my remains should I untimely meet Jesus; things I'm glad the Army forces us to do, since I'm terrible with such admin details. Morbid, but important.

Tomorrow it's physical exams, more legal and financial - and hopefully orders! The Army doesn't do anything without orders, including pay. I had many great opportunities to plant initial seeds today. More farming tomorrow...