A Navy Rabbi's Story: May 2017

Happy Birthday, Marine!

What do you do when your Marine is far from family and their birthday?

You embarrass them by singing to them, making them wear a birthday hat and you buy them a cookie cake.

And how many Marines does it take to cut a giant cookie? According to my Supply Marines, 3.

My grandfather was drafted in WWII and fought in the Philippines. He was supposed to be a part of the Tokyo invasion but the war ended before that could happen.

I cannot translate any of the Kanji.

All I can assume is that my grandfather used those trunks before letting my father use them when he went to summer camp.

I am still in search of the pendants he received from every base where he was ever stationed.

Officer Bonding

We had a hail and farewell for our officers at a paintball facility.

I had a good time.

My XO got up close and personal during the last round.

Thanks, Sir!

It's about the size of my hand.
That's what a three inch distance between body part and muzzle looks like.

Totally going back!

Chaplain's Morale Booster

How does a chaplain boost morale in the command?

Two words.

Burger Burn.

Translation: free BBQ for the command.

1stSgts serving chow

And a game of corn holes

1stSgts running the grill.

Naturally

While biking to a new park in Jacksonville, I took the time to appreciate nature.

Pick me up after a long day

Some days are long. Very long. And getting a sign from the most holy artist (God) just makes you (in this case, me) feel good.

Good Morning

One morning, as I was driving to work, I saw this double rainbow.

By the time I parked my car to take the pictures, I could not get a good shot.

But the end of the rainbow ended behind the battalion headquarters building.

Is that a secret message?

Resiliency

The months of March, April and May are the high-time for suicides in the Marines Corps.
There are lots of reasons why.
My job, is to help Marines through those three months and give them the tools to bounce back stronger than before.

I saw this posted on-line and is now taped to my door.

I love watching my Marines read the words and walk away, standing just a little taller.

Beating the Storm

Some days you look back and see the storm coming and wonder, "Can I outrun it?"

Some days, you can.

Other days, you get wet.

OSCAR

I am an OSCAR (Operational Stress Control and Readiness) master trainer.

I had the honor of training new instructors and watching them teach.

Here, one of my instructors is engaging Marines with the curriculum.

(He is showing them how a school circle gives OSCAR team members a chance to get eyes on their Marines to see if they are okay.)

Beirut Marine Memorial

Camp Lejeune has been around since 1940.

The town and base have a strong connection.

You can find Marine regalia sold everywhere and a proud veteran community resides here.

Near the base, is a memorial set up for not just the Marines who died at Beirut (barracks bombing, 1983) but to the Montfort Point Marines, the training site for the first African-American Marines before integration in 1942 and became fully integrated in 1960.

I bike here frequently. It is peaceful and meaningful.

And of course, there is a piece of my history here too.

"Holiday" Parties

I am under no illusion that the battalion "holiday" parties are Christmas parties.

The decoration, menu and GySgt Santa are obvious.

So, this year, I joined in the fun.

I bought an ugly Chanukkah sweater and wore it with pride.

I did not, however, win the Ugly Sweater Contest.

Somehow, I think that was a good thing?

Jumping out of Planes

Some of my Marines jump out of planes - for fun.

On a cold day in December, they took me along.

And then strapped me in the Osprey and then jumped out.

My company commander and rigger master