1 Don’t Deploy

ll deployments are diffi cult. Each one takes Alone! a toll—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Our men and women in the Armed Forces A continue to fi nd themselves either preparing to deploy, currently deployed, or refi tting from deployment. Helping Those with This cycle is incredibly stressful. How do we as Christian offi cers and ambassadors of Christ maintain balance and provide light and salt to those around us? Whom You Deploy The book of James in the Bible emphasizes the pursuit of godly behavior and uncompromising obedience to the Word of God. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever Win Their Spiritual you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2- 3). The verb form of the Greek word for trials means to Battles put someone to the test with the purpose of discovering that person’s nature. By that defi nition then, every trial by Colonel Bruce Parker, United States Army becomes a test of our faith, designed by God, to strengthen Christians during diffi cult periods in life. We can apply U.S. Army photo these words of wisdom to the trials we experience as deployed believers. How we choose to respond to trials becomes our witness to those around us during these diffi cult times. Sounds easy, right? Unfortunately, it’s not. During commissioning into the military, we swear to defend the Constitution against all enemies, swear faith and allegiance to the same, and swear to obey the orders of the President and offi cers over us. But more important still is that God has placed us in the military—in a position to serve Him at a place and time of His choosing. From Egypt Joseph reminded his brothers that, “it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:8). Through his trials Joseph realized that God placed him in that position at that time for His purpose, and that God was in charge. We can apply that same principle to our lives as deployed Christian offi cers. 2 us though the tempter came to Jesus when He was most vulnerable, He did not sin. He prayed and relied on the Word to fi ght and defeat the devil. He won because He was prepared—and we can do the same. Deployment requires that we prepare ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Military training prepares us to fi ght and defeat a physical enemy, but we often deploy without the necessary training to defeat a spiritual enemy.

Spiritual Training for Deployment We must recognize that our spiritual success depends on a sustained effort to battle and defeat temptations from within by leaning on God and realizing that not one of us was created to do this alone. The spiritual battle requires discipline—and discipline is something service men and women understand well. We derive that discipline Engineers preparing to deploy from from spiritual training before we deploy—reaffi rming Bamberg, Germany, to fi nd explosives our values, recruiting the assistance of an accountability during route clearance missions. partner or group, coordinating the resources to enable a U.S. Army photo dedicated quiet time including daily Scripture reading and prayer, fi nding support through correspondence with For me personally, the greatest testing of faith and family or friends, and looking for daily opportunities to spiritual growth has occurred while deployed—and serve others. specifi cally under extreme periods of stress that only combat can generate. The worst of times has produced the How You Can Help Deployed Men and Women greatest spiritual gains in my walk as a Christian offi cer. It Many of our deployed men and women believe they has been a very diffi cult and humbling journey for me— face these challenges alone. But they are not alone! They and it is discouraging that I seem to have to relearn the need your help. You can make a difference by praying for same lessons with each deployment. them and encouraging them. A letter or e-mail does more I have deployed six times—fi ve of them to the Middle good than you will ever realize. It becomes a lifeline—a East since 9/11. Each deployment has been under different great source of comfort and a reminder that you are conditions, duration, experiences, events, levels of committed to them in their spiritual battle each and every responsibilities, and situations. Though all differed, each day. Send them a care package of cookies or a favorite offered the same thing—an opportunity to be a witness snack. The contents of the box are not as important as the for my faith through action, word, and deed. Sometimes effort that went into preparing it and sending it—and the I was successful. But many times I felt as if I had failed. realization that you are thinking of them and supporting Deuteronomy 8:2 says, “Remember how the Lord your them. God led you all the way…to humble you and to test you The major deployment challenge as ambassadors for in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not Christ is to be salt and light to those around us during a you would keep his commands.” Each day on deployment diffi cult period of their lives—as well as ours. But it is not was a spiritual battle. about us. It is about God and those around us because that Serving in combat is chaotic, confusing, and often is where He has placed us to serve, unpredictable. We are faced with situations we cannot and He expects us to be examples. control. How we as Christian offi cers react to those We will fail, but we have an situations becomes our witness to those around us. Combat advocate who will carry us through is not only an outward battle with our physical enemies, (1 John 2:1). Our greatest strength but also an inward battle with our spiritual enemy. First will be shown in our ability to trust Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a God during these times. Don’t deploy roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” This spiritual alone! enemy’s presence forces us to remain alert to the internal dangers of spiritual warfare—temptation, persecution, COL Bruce Parker is currently a student at the U.S. Army War and discouragement. As we struggle with these internal College and will assume command of the 198th Infantry Training dangers, we grow and mature in our faith. Brigade at Fort Benning, Georgia, in June. He has served in numerous combat deployments as a Rifl e Company Commander, Jesus endured similar circumstances as He fasted Battalion Commander, and in staff positions at the Corps and Joint and wandered the desert. The Gospel of Matthew tells level. He and his wife, Molly, have three daughters. 3 U.S. Army photo

Drawing on Scripture under Gunfi re by Tim Newcomb

ightmares seem tame compared to biblical knowledge fl ooding to the forefront of their what Jeff Struecker experienced on minds. Memorization is the only way that can the streets of Somalia in 1993. As happen, and so it has become a frequent spiritual part of an Army Ranger unit intent tool for Bible study for Struecker and his fellow N on saving fellow soldiers in the Rangers. It is now Struecker’s main mission to Black Hawk Down confl ict, he called on past etch those same life-changing, peace-giving Bible studies to fi nd peace. “Frankly, it was what words into the minds of Rangers on a daily basis. got me back and forth through the city streets of Major Struecker grew up in Iowa and wanted Somalia,” Struecker says about the Scriptures. to experience the world beyond cornfi elds. He “Because I didn’t have time at that point to crack remembers that developing discipline was what open my Bible and read some of my favorite drew him to the Army—a trait that has served him passages, I went off of what I remembered and well in Scripture memorization. that literally gave me the courage to head into His discipline was called on when he saved gunfi re. God gave me an extraordinary sense of fellow soldiers during the Black Hawk Down peace.” confl ict, which was well-chronicled in a 1999 book Struecker recounted Jesus’ prayer in the and a 2001 blockbuster movie, both of which Garden of Gethsemane, Paul’s thoughts about provide Struecker a unique platform to speak being apart from the body and present with the to young soldiers. And his 1996 Best Ranger Lord, and a litany of Psalms while walking—and Competition victory (a feat at the top of any hiding—in the war-torn streets as gunfi re and Ranger’s résumé) earned him enduring respect. tragedy enveloped him around two downed Black “Before I even have a conversation with Hawk helicopters. younger soldiers I have some credibility. God has Having spent thirteen years as an enlisted given me an awesome opportunity,” he says. soldier, and another eight as a chaplain, After earning an undergraduate degree Struecker cherishes having his Bible with him for during his enlisted time and briefl y leaving the daily devotional opportunities. But when soldiers Army to gain his Master’s of Divinity degree from can’t reach for their Bible, they need to rely on Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Struecker 4 Struecker cherishes having his Bible with him for daily devotional opportunities. But when soldiers can’t reach for their Bible, they need to rely on biblical knowledge fl ooding to the forefront of their minds.

began serving as an active-duty chaplain in Fort Combat may involve extended periods of Benning, Georgia. absolute boredom, punctuated by a few minutes His love of studying the Bible began just a few to a few hours of extreme anxiety and fear. years into his Army service. “I started to get really “I have guys come out of a fi re-fi ght saying serious about my faith,” he says. “I have made an ‘Chaplain I need to talk to you and I need to know honest effort to take my Bible with me everywhere about Jesus, because last night I almost lost my I go.” His Bible, given to him by an Army chaplain, life,’ ” Struecker says. “I use those opportunities has been carried all over the world. It is now held to get people plugged into a Bible study that they together by duct tape. would normally turn up their noses at.” It is in that tattered Bible that Struecker found When deployed, books aren’t easily toted. the answers to his own biblical questions. He So, instead, Struecker relies on Bible software doesn’t just look to the bottom of the pages of and the passages he has committed to memory a study Bible to fi nd answers, he searches for after years and years of personal devotion to them—a challenge he relays to the soldiers he God’s Word. Younger soldiers listen to his advice now mentors. to do the same because they know his story. “It “My greatest effort is put into equipping guys got me through the most intense fear I have ever to study the Bible on their own. I’m just one guy experienced (Somalia). I encourage my guys to trying to minister to hundreds, if not thousands, of write verses of Scripture on the walls and the little people so that when I’m not around, they can still wooden poles in their tents,” he says. “I tell them, get the fruit of the Spirit and the benefi ts from it.” ‘Put a passage of Scripture up so that every time It is in these Bible studies where relationships are you come in here and see the graffi ti you force formed and spiritual habits are created. With such yourself to memorize that verse.’ ” a wide spectrum of denominations all coming Good advice. You never know when your together, there can be differences of opinion and recall might help save your life. interesting debates, but those pale in comparison to the bonds forged, Struecker says. Tim Newcomb lives in western Washington with his wife and three “Every time I preach, whenever I am doing daughters. He is an editor for a weekly newspaper and a freelance a Bible study, I am ultimately trying to use what writer for various magazines and newsletters. Copyright Bible Study Magazine 2009. Excerpted from Vol. 1, No. 6 (Sept-Oct 2009): 14-15. they are going through today to get to the cross BibleStudyMagazine.com. of Christ and salvation. I focus on not just how it will make a difference for eternity, but today—how Major Jeff Struecker is attending the Command and General Staff they can live an abundant Christian life now. I College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. challenge believers everywhere I go to ask why they believe x, y, and z. If you can’t answer that, Front Cover: U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet aircraft receives fuel you need to consider why. And then you need to from a U.S. Air Force KC-10A Extender aircraft over fi nd an answer.” Afghanistan. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller 5 Patrolling the Tigris River. U.S. Army photo

Baghdad DaysBaghdad Days

Dear Friends, Seems like I just got to Baghdad. But in counting the days—something I actually try to avoid—I discovered I’ve been in Iraq for months now. I am stationed at a small base on the banks of the Tigris River. It is pretty modest, although there are troops in much smaller posts. The larger bases have all sorts of amenities, but they are also very removed from the Iraqi people, so this is a good location for us. Army food, laundry, and a small store run by local Iraqis about rounds it out. We live in CHUs (Containerized Housing Units), which are basically shipping containers with a window and door. There is a pay-for-service Internet connection in every CHU. But basically the CHUs are for sleeping— when we can. The days are long but never the same, starting at 0700, and ending around midnight. Most days amount to working, eating, sleeping, and fighting for some time to do PT—essential for this work environment. About two-to-three times a week I travel either to other bases or visit Iraqi neighborhoods and offices. On Sundays, unless something problematic comes up, I’m off until noon. We have a meaningful Sunday service—a mixed group of folks singing songs and hymns. On the base, we have workspace in the basement of an old Iraqi military barracks. It’s kind of dingy, but it works. Our work is research- related and involves gathering data about basic civil society concerns: the people, businesses, neighborhoods, leaders and politicians—very local, very interesting, and very inaccurate. There is little certain data, and even less analysis of it. After thirty-five years of chaos, war, oppression, and violence, no one really has any records. Unless you’ve been here, it’s difficult to imagine the devastation and neglect. And so we are here, late in the effort, but still able to do some much-needed work. The biggest thing that is needed in this country is a change of heart. That can only happen through the workings of the good Lord Himself, so pray for these people and this place. Pray also for the young military men and women over here. Pray that they are able to call themselves peacemakers.

COL Charlie King, USA

6 U.S. Army photo Men of Valor (While you’re away)

Even though you know God is caring for your family while you’re away, what are some things that concern you consistently, things you continue to pray about for your family?

Matt: I prayed consistently that my wife would be sustained by God’s strength as she carried out the roles and responsibilities of both parents. That’s a lot of responsibility. And another consistent prayer was that God would meet my family’s needs, both general and specifi c, through our friends and church. Tim: Every man stares death in the face, especially a military man going to war. It has to be contemplated and the cost calculated as it relates to “What if I don’t come home?”—not necessarily written down—but at least considered. One of my biggest concerns is for my children, particularly my boys. Boys need a male role model. They need to be tested and approved of, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. So I pray often that we would be able to pick right back up where we left off. While deployed, I formulate or refi ne a game plan to lead them onward to Christ and His truths, and away from the lies of this world. Dan: When planning for a mission or riding around on a patrol, I might have briefl y thought, I wonder what my family is doing right now? But in general I would be almost totally focused on the task at hand or those to come in the near future. Thinking in-depth about my wife and kids was more a deliberate action that took place while reading letters, e-mails, or looking at pictures. The things that concerned me most were the times I could tell that my wife was really stressed to her limit with responsibilities, extended family pressures, the kid’s misbehavior, or my well-being. Another tough thing was feeling like we were not communicating anything of value on the phone. To deal with this we tried to come up with a method for communicating. We used the acronym K-I-S-S: a Kind word, an Intercessory request, a Spiritual lesson being learned, and a good Story. This helped me prep for phone calls and helped us get more out of our limited time on the phone. A similar problem was feeling like I was losing touch with my kids. It was very diffi cult to spend a minute or two trying to just understand what the little ones were even saying or asking “yep” or “nope” questions of the older ones. I recommend talking to your kids about how you want to talk to them on the phone. A few other ideas are to draw pictures that they can color in. Make and send videos to them. Record yourself singing songs and reading books so that you can provide some virtual help with bedtime. You’ve seen some marriages fall apart during deployments and others grow closer. From what you’ve observed, what are some “do’s and don’ts” for couples separated by deployment? Tim: I think one of the lost arts of communication is that of handwritten letters. It’s so hard to sit down and hand-write anything when you can e-mail or use your cell phone to get instant updates from the home front. Letters, particularly love letters, are treasured gifts. 7 As excerpted from OCF’s book, Thriving Not Just Surviv- ing: Deployment Perspectives for Today’s Military Families, we asked three deployed men—husbands and fathers—to (While you’re away) answer questions about handling deployment issues. One important “don’t” would be for the spouse at home not to make any major purchases or life changes (e.g., getting a new dog) without talking it over fi rst. Although the deployed spouse is far removed, he still likes to be considered in decisions affecting the whole family. At the long-awaited homecoming there shouldn’t be anything coming between you when you fi rst embrace—except maybe a little one- or two-year-old.

Here are a few “Do’s and Don’ts” that Matt suggests for keeping your marriage and family strong: • Do stay connected as much as possible. • Do send her fl owers. • Do pray for her and the children. • Do read your Bible and go to chapel whenever possible. • Do know what’s going on in their daily lives. • Do send the kids little things that you buy or make. • Do maintain a pure heart. Find an accountability partner to ask you the hard questions. • Do listen carefully to the details of her life and provide your thoughtful, engaged father/husband perspective.

• Don’t second-guess her decisions. • Don’t look at pornography. • Don’t get involved in chat/MySpace/Facebook with any woman except your wife. • Don’t think that she won’t fi nd out about something that you do while deployed. “What happens overseas stays overseas” is a myth. • Don’t spend much money. Do you really need it? • Don’t tell her every detail of how you just almost got killed. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marc I. Lane Any wisdom about how you manage your military responsibilities, your family communications, and your spiritual life during deployments? Dan: First of all, do not feel guilty for compartmentalizing different areas of your life. It is best to be focused on the mission at hand and do your utmost to accomplish every mission and take care of the troops under your care. A failure due to your lack of attention will plague you personally for the rest of your life. I think it is okay for a man to place his family in the back of his mind for short periods of time to be able to focus on his job. This must be balanced with sensitivity to your wife’s needs. You should not break predetermined expectations. If you realize something was an unrealistic expectation, talk about it again. The one thing that we must not compartmentalize is our faithful walk with God. When we read the Psalms, we will fi nd that God is close in safety and closer still in trouble. He knows all about war and is able to infl uence battle in accordance with His will. I found a bunch of verses to pray to the Lord when in contact with the enemy. I read in 2 Thessalonians 3:3, “The Lord is faithful. He will strengthen and protect you.” This was my constant prayer for the safety of those in my company.

Matt: Use your non-deployed time to get built up spiritually. Once you are deployed you will most likely maintain what you’ve begun. Watch out for time-drainers like TV, movies, and video games. They are easy to turn to in your “down time” especially when you’re stressed. Go to chapel. Pray. Seek out a Christian friend.

Tim: As I wake, I thank the Lord that I have life and breath today and ask Him to “Give me this day my daily bread.” Tomorrow is not promised to me, yet I have today to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Often I plan what I’m going to do when I get home. In my hometown there’s a two-and-one-half mile boardwalk that runs down the beach. Running along the “boards” with the salt air fi lling my nostrils and the ocean waves churning in the background is on my “to do” list when I return. And now that my children are old enough to ride their bikes next to daddy while he runs, they too experience the freedoms of America.

8 The Heart of a Godly Leader by Lieutenant General Bruce L. Fister, United States Air Force, Retired

ate one night I sat in my home offi ce refl ecting upon Dr. Hudson Dr. Hudson Taylor Armerding T. Armerding, who passed away 1 December 2009. His book 1918-2009 The Heart of Godly Leadership is on my desk. Without question, OCF Minister-at-Large L he was a true leader—a life well lived for the Lord. (1983-2006)

I always called him “Dr. Armerding” out of the profound respect I had for this Christian leader, who had a great infl uence upon me in my walk with the Lord. During the course of a conversation he and I had at Spring Canyon in 1989, he told me, “You’re still teachable.” His remark was a great compliment to me because I was a relatively young Air Force Brigadier General, and he was refl ecting upon the notion that once you become a fl ag offi cer you tend to think you know everything. I never thought of myself that way, and because of Dr. Armerding’s infl uence on me over the years and the legacy he has left, I hope I am “still teachable.” Dr. Armerding was one of three people in the history of Offi cers’ Christian Fellowship who received the OCF Leadership Award. I remember in 2000 when we celebrated this award in Washington, D.C. He was eighty-two years old, and his years showed physically as he slowly made his way to the podium to accept the award. The audience was silent, but as soon as this quiet saint began to speak about true, godly leadership, we all came alive. Everyone listened to hear all of his godly wisdom. I recall several conversations that General Robert VanAntwerp, then President of the OCF Council, and I had with Dr. Armerding concerning when he should step down as OCF Minister-at-Large. In his book, The Heart of Godly Leadership, Dr. Armerding wrote, “Motivation to retire is prompted by the need to effect an orderly transfer of responsibility and to make room for qualifi ed subordinates to assume executive prerogatives. The realism of declining competence, too often recognized by others long before the leader perceives what is happening, is a contributing factor as well.” Dr. Armerding wanted to bring in others behind him, but General VanAntwerp and I never saw a shred of evidence of “declining competence” and we encouraged him to remain in the Lord’s service with OCF for as long as he was physically able. Dr. Armerding lived by God’s Word and kept his own word—practicing what he believed and vigorously holding to the principles of Scripture. As with most great leaders, Dr. Armerding had a wonderful spouse by his side. Miriam was a true saint and they complemented each other perfectly. He was a scholarly, yet practical leader, and she was a talented musician who was always singing or playing praises to the Lord. Theirs was a marriage made in the heavenly realms. Many leaders come and go; most pass into history and are soon forgotten. However, Dr. Armerding is one leader that many people will remember—those with whom he served in the Navy, and students and staff at Wheaton College. Or the many of us who were privileged to hear him speak, read his works, or like myself, blessed to be mentored by one who was truly at “the heart of godly leadership.” Dr. Armerding will be missed and remembered by many of us for the rest of our lives. Dr. Hudson T. Armerding—thank you for what you left for so many of us. I look forward to seeing you and Miriam in the presence of our Lord on the other side. 9 The Religious

“Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; Rights But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.” Psalm 20:7 (NASB) of Those in

Part 2:Warrior Ethos Uniform by Robert Weston Ash

eneral George S. Patton aptly noted: “Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who G follow and the man who leads that gains the victory.”1 Every professional organization has a purpose, its raison d’être. To fulfi ll that purpose, an organization must establish a specifi c culture to which its individual members subscribe and in which they fl ourish.2 This culture, the very “spirit” embodied by military service members referred to in General Patton’s quotation above, has been dubbed the “Warrior Ethos.” The Warrior Ethos comprises beliefs and attitudes that have been passed down through generations of professional war fi ghters from time immemorial.3 These beliefs and attitudes can generally be broken into three disciplines: physical, mental, and moral.4 Physical prowess has long been a necessary trait of a successful warrior. Whether for a Spartan warrior 2,400 years ago5 or a current member of the U.S. Armed Forces, the rigors of warfare demand that the military professional subscribe to an intense physical regimen.6 Similarly, professional warriors have cultivated and mastered a specifi c mental discipline required by the profession of arms. This discipline includes profi ciency in one’s military specialty7 as well as a mental toughness that is characterized by “[the ability] to sustain the will to win when the situation looks hopeless and shows no indication of getting better.”8 Lastly, professional war 10 fighters exhibit a certain moral discipline, an “unrelenting must make provision for the spiritual motivation of their and consistent determination to do what is right.”9 War subordinates.18 To neglect (or, worse yet, to suppress) brings difficult choices. Warriors must stand firm, despite the religious aspect of moral discipline would eviscerate temptation to the contrary, in their moral conviction to the Warrior Ethos and would significantly degrade the “win with honor.”10 military culture necessary for winning on the battlefield.19

The Warrior Ethos may be accurately summarized (Footnotes) by the following excerpt from the Soldier’s Creed: “I 1Carlo D’Este, Patton: A Genius for War 221 (1996) (citation omitted) (emphasis added); see also John Paul Jones, Personal Journal Entry (1787), in 1 Augustus C. Buell, Paul Jones: Founder of the will always place the mission first. I will never accept American Navy 286, 287 (1900) (“Men mean more than guns in the rating of a ship.”). 2See Mats Alvesson, Understanding Organizational Culture 1-2 (2002); see also Field Manual defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen 6-22: Army Leadership § 4-46 (Dep’t of the Army ed., 2006). 11 3Christopher Coker, The Warrior Ethos: Military Culture and the War on Terror 141 (2007) comrade.” Moral discipline is of utmost importance for (comparing the warrior cultures of the ancient Chinese, Greek, Roman, and Japanese societies); Field the professional warrior—and to the nation. It is critical Manual 6-22: Army Leadership, supra note 2, §§ 4-47, -51. 4See Jamison Yi, “MCMAP and the Marine Warrior Ethos,” Mil. Rev., Nov.-Dec. 2004, at 17, 17 to understand the importance of this discipline. Only then (illustrating a “Synergy of Disciplines” via Venn Diagram); see also Air Force Recruiting Serv., Air Force Warrior Facts: Expand Your Training 2 (n.d.) (“It takes a strong mind, body, and spirit to become an Air can one discern how the conviction to “win with honor” Force warrior.” (emphasis added)); Field Manual 6-22: Army Leadership, supra note 2, §§ 4-47 to -52; H. 12 Michael Gelfand, Sea Change at Annapolis 9 (2006) (listing part of the U.S. Naval Academy’s mission is developed and, finally, how it is maintained. as “developing midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically” (citation and internal quotation marks What differentiates a murderer from a professional omitted)). 5Humfrey Michell, Sparta 165 (1964). warrior? Both take the life of another human being. 6Yi, supra note 4, at 21 (“Physical discipline consists of armed and unarmed combat techniques combined as part of the USMC Physical Fitness Program . . . which develops a Marine’s ability . . . to Part 2:Warrior Ethos Why they kill differentiates the one from the other. overcome physical hardship and obstacles under any climatic condition.”). 7Id. at 23. The murderer may kill on a whim or after detailed 8Field Manual 6-22: Army Leadership, supra note 2, § 4-49. planning, but usually for his own purposes, while the 9Id. § 4-52. by Robert Weston Ash 10Id. (emphasis added). warrior’s killings are constrained by purposes of state 11Id. § 4-48. 12E.g., id. § 4-53 (“The Warrior Ethos is crucial but also perishable. Consequently, the Army must and are limited to certain defined instances on the continually affirm, develop, and sustain it.”). 13See Shannon E. French, The Code of the Warrior: Exploring Warrior Values Past and Present battlefield. What defines the warrior’s constraints is 1-3 (2005). moral discipline.13 Without such discipline, that which 14Id. at 3-4, 9-10. 15David R. Segal & Mady Wechsler Segal, “America’s Military Population,” Population distinguishes the warrior from the murderer appears Bulletin, Dec. 2004, at 25 tbl.5 (reporting the combined percentage of Protestants, Catholics, and “Other Christians” alone at 68% as of 2001; Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews were also reported negligible. Moral discipline also protects the general but comprised less than 0.5% each of the total number); see also Barry S. Fagin & James E. Parco, “A Question of Faith: Religious Bias and Coercion Undermine Military Leadership and Trust,” Armed population from the warrior’s killing and guards the Forces J., January 2008, at 40, 42 [hereinafter, Fagin, “A Question of Faith”] (recognizing that “for many, warrior from the psychological damage inherent in being if not most, in the military, religion is part and parcel of their original decision to serve, their loyalty to country and family, and their source of strength in times of great stress”). a murderer.14 Moral discipline is, in essence, the glue that 16Field Manual 6-22: Army Leadership, supra note 2, § 4-57 (“Beliefs matter because they help people understand their experiences. Those experiences provide a start point for what to do in everyday holds the Warrior Ethos together; it allows the individual situations. Beliefs are convictions people hold as true. Values are deep-seated personal beliefs that shape a person’s behavior. Values and beliefs are central to character.”); see also id. § 4-59 (“Beliefs derive from warrior to commit otherwise objectionable acts with upbringing, culture, religious backgrounds, and traditions. As a result, different moral beliefs have, and honor and integrity. will, continue to be shaped by diverse religious and philosophical traditions.” (emphasis added)); French, supra note 13, at 3. How then is moral discipline developed and 17See id. § 4-59 (“Beliefs derive from upbringing, culture, religious backgrounds, and traditions. As a result, different moral beliefs have, and will, continue to be shaped by diverse religious and maintained? While some may despise or belittle the philosophical traditions.” (emphasis added)); see also note 15 (noting that over two-thirds of U.S. Service Members claim religious affiliation). thought, for many, there is an important, underlying, 18See Field Manual 6-22: Army Leadership, supra note 2, § 4-58 (“Army leaders should recognize spiritual aspect to the moral discipline of the Warrior the role beliefs play in preparing Soldiers for battle.”). 19Even those otherwise opposed to overt religious expression in the military recognize the Ethos. It is incontrovertible that many—indeed, importance of religious faith and values to members of the Armed Forces: Members of the military live with the fact that they could be asked to surrender their lives at any 15 most —military service members derive their moral moment. Those who see combat face life-and-death issues on a regular basis and are forced to grapple with fundamental questions of existence in a way those they protect likely will never face. beliefs of right and wrong from personal religious This means that for many, if not most, in the military, religion is part and parcel of their original beliefs and values.16 Hence, to successfully develop and decision to serve, their loyalty to country and family, and their source of strength in times of great stress. . . . It’s unrealistic to expect the spiritual beliefs of soldiers to vanish once they put on a maintain the moral discipline of the Warrior Ethos within uniform. . . . Fagin, “A Question of Faith,” supra note 15, at 42. its organizational structure, the military must provide Editorial Note: This is the second in a series of articles about the religious care and encourage religious free exercise religious rights guaranteed to and enjoyed by members of the U.S. Armed Forces under the Constitution and laws of the United States with respect to free among its members. exercise of religion and free expression of religious sentiments. The first article For the vast majority of those serving within the (COMMAND magazine, December 2009) introduced the series. Subsequent articles will examine applicable legal principles, and the specific rights and U.S. Armed Forces, the moral discipline of the Warrior responsibilities of military commanders, chaplains, and individuals. The Ethos is inexorably linked to their religious faith.17 Many extensive footnotes in this series of articles are integral to the author’s intent and research, and are therefore included in their entirety. Christians view military service as an honorable way to assist civil authorities in discharging their God-given Robert Weston Ash is an assistant professor of law at Regent University School of Law in Virginia, from which he received his Juris Doctor degree. He responsibility to counter evil (as in Romans 13). Thus, is also the senior litigation counsel for national security law at the American to create and maintain an effective fighting force, leaders Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). Robert served twenty-two years active duty in the military after graduating from West Point. 11 NEWS AND VIEWS NEWS AND VIEWS NEWS AND VIEWS NEWS AND VIEWS NEWS AND VIEWS NEWS AND VIEWS NEWS AND

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• OCF’s semi-annual council meeting is 8-11 April at Spring Canyon. OCF members interested in attending must notify Shana Adler, our new Ministry Assistant, at 800-424-1984 before 8 March. • 1 April is the deadline for receiving nominations for the OCF Council Class of 2013. Send signed nominations to Shana Adler by mail: Offi cers’ Christian Fellowship, 3784 South Inca Pensacola OCF Field Staff Mike and Arden Street, Englewood, Co 80110-3405; e-mail: Patterson, right, give an OCF Recognition award to [email protected]; or fax: 303-761-6226. LT Chris and Kristen Kenney, USN, left, for their leadership of the Whiting Field OCF. • OCF Membership Renewal Drive, now through March: It’s easy and only takes a few minutes to update your current information. Visit www.ocfusa.org and click on the Update Your Information button on the home page.

1 April Deadline for Nominations for the OCF Council Class of 2013

THE OCF COUNCIL PLAYS AN IMPORTANT experience to endorse and communi- LtCol Scott Nowlin, USAF ROLE in helping our Fellowship ac- cate the broader OCF mission in the MAJ Jonathan A. Shine, USA complish the mission God has given U.S. Armed Forces, and continue as a COL V. Phil Visser, USA to it. The council governs the Fellow- local or area leader while serving on LT Christopher L. Wallace, USN ship, and it meets twice annually to the Council. The deadline for receiving nomina- establish policies, examine signifi cant It is important that they be able to tions is 1 April 2010. At least three issues, set the annual ministry priori- devote at least six days a year, on OCF regular members (present or ties and approve the budget. leave or permissive TDY, to partici- former offi cers, midshipmen or We ask members to pray about pate in Council meetings which are cadets, or offi cer candidates) must offi cer members you know whom usually held in April and October at submit or endorse a nomination the Holy Spirit might lead to such Spring Canyon, CO, and White Sul- either by email, fax, or postal mail. service, which is for a period of three phur Springs, PA, respectively. They You must provide your complete years, beginning 1 January 2011. must have personal computer access name, telephone number, and email and an address that is not a military address. Nominees should exemplify the biblical qualifi cations for a spiritual address. leader and have demonstrated their The following council members ability to effectively lead an OCF lo- in the outgoing Class of 2010 are eli- cal or area ministry. They should be gible to be nominated again this year: examples of excellence in the profes- LtCol Anthony D. Abernathy, USAF sion of arms. In addition, they should MG James Coggin, USA (Ret) be qualifi ed by past or current MAJ John A. Hoyman, USAR 12 NEWS AND VIEWS NEWS AND VIEWS NEWS AND VIEWS NEWS AND VIEWS NEWS AND VIEWS NEWS AND VIEWS NEWS AND Alabama KEEPING YOU POSTED

Births Faith Katherine Armstrong, born 1 July 2009, daughter of LCDR John and Coryanne Armstrong, USN, Carlisle, PA. Seth Douglas Baillie, born 9 June 2009, son of LCDR Douglas and Peggy Baillie, USN, Groton, CT. William Daniel Brock, born 23 August 2009, son of CH(CPT) Douglas and Lori Brock, ARNG, Binghamton, NY. Kate Elizabeth Kaiser, born 12 March 2009, daughter of Capt Daniel and Christy Kaiser, USMC, Richlands, NC. Robert Munson, born 16 July 2009, son of LtCol Robert and Laura Munson, USAFR, Montgomery, AL. William David Pruitt, born 18 September 2009, son of Servant leadership, moral courage, and integrating faith and profession are Maj Will and Elizabeth Pruitt, USAF, Ramstein Air just a few of the topics covered at a new ministry program at Maxwell Air Force Base, Germany Sophie Annaliese Rylander, born 2 March 2009, Force Base. daughter of LTC Tom & MAJ Julie Rylander, USA, Richmond, VA. Washington James Palmer Wort, born 16 July 2009, son of Capt Joshua and Valerie Wort, USMC, Kaneohe, HI. Weddings 2LT James Booth, USA, married 2LT Caroline Miller, USA, 20 June 2009. Their home is Columbus, GA. 2LT Bryan Fisher, USA, married 2LT Pao Mei Etchells, USA, 24 May 2009. Their home is Waterton, NY. 2LT Joel D. Hedman, USAR, married 2LT Megan McIntosh, USA, 13 June 2009. Their home is Palmer, AK. 2ndLt Benn Slikker, USAF, married ENS Amanda Wiggins, USN, 11 June 2009. Their home is Bakersfi eld, CA. 2LT Gene V. Steffanetta USA, married 2LT Amy Sexauer, USA, 7 June 2009. Their home is Safety The Fort Lewis/McChord AFB OCF group meets every Wednesday in the Harbor, FL. home of team leaders John and Eva Haddick (middle and front right). Larry LCDR Jay Vignola, USN, married Elaine McCall, 24 and Bobbie Simpson are at far left. (See page 14 of COMMAND magazine.) May 2009. Their home is Bethany, MD. Taps Arizona Joyce Blauvelt, 31 May 2009, wife of LTC James A. Blauvelt, AUS (Ret.), Leakesville, MS. Yong Hui Kirkbride, 5 October 2009, wife of LTC Wayne Kirkbride, USA (Ret.), Monument, CO Leigh-Ann Maloney, 2 September 2009, wife of LTC Michael D. Maloney, USA (Ret.), Colorado Springs, CO. Capt Mark R. McDowell, USAF, 17 July 2009, husband of 1stLt Katie A. McDowell, USAF, Goldsboro, NC. Maj Donald F. Pickett, USAF (Ret.), 7 September 2009, husband of Cindy Pickett, Colorado Springs, CO. MAJ George F. Potter II, USA, 10 August 2009, husband of Suzanne Potter, Martinsburg, WV. COL Warren P. Schilling, USA (Ret.), 3 July 2009, Fort Myers, FL. He served on OCF Council from 1969-1974, and was vice president in 1974. LTC Dave and Diane Davenport, USA, host a Fort Richard C. Wittmann, 25 July 2008, husband of Karin Huachuca OCF group in Arizona. Wittmann, Rochester, MN. 13 Essentials for Deployment-resilient Marriages by Colonel Larry and Bobbie Simpson, United States Air Force, Retired OCF Director of Family Ministry & Puget Sound

Marriages in general, and military marriages in particular, require unusual elasticity in our thinking and supernatural grace in our practices. Military marriages can rebound, survive, and even thrive amid the challenges of numerous deployments and daily military lifestyle requirements. Couples in resilient marriages are intentional about their success, and vigilant in practices that build up their relationship. Couples who desire resilient marriages focus on a few essentials. Essentials for Resiliency • Avail yourself of growth opportunities. “How am I going to survive this? I sometimes think that if I just hold my breath long enough, this lifestyle of separation will be behind us.” God is not absent in the deployments of our life. After attending an OCF Spiritually Smart Family conference, a military wife reported that she had realized that the Army wasn’t sending her husband away—the Lord was. Wow! Consider how the Lord is working in your life during your time apart. What does He want to accomplish in your heart and marriage, and how can you cooperate with His plan?

• Regard the other’s issues as a high priority. “I start to detach emotionally well before it’s time to leave. I must prepare myself to care for my soldiers. I must believe all will be well at home.” Shannon knows Rob’s heart. It is hard for Rob to leave his family. He wants to protect and enjoy them, but he has a job to do. Shannon will be lonely, but as she chooses to focus on Rob’s heartfelt, yet unexpressed need, this paves the way for a more harmonious separation.

• Cultivate a mindset of service. “Lately people come up to express their appreciation for my service and sacrifi ce as the home-front spouse. While I am thankful for their acknowledgement, I don’t always sense that my husband values my sacrifi ce and effort.” A very fl exible view of service is required from both the spouse who stays and the one who deploys. In marriage, each partner serves because he or she is convinced the service will benefi t the greater good of the relationship. By answering these two questions we will grasp a proper motive for service: Who will serve my spouse if I don’t? Can I learn to serve him or her without expecting anything in return?

• Reject lies brought on by miscommunication, fatigue, or loneliness. “Why isn’t Jenn home when I call? Why don’t we converse easily on the phone? In some ways I think my absence makes it convenient for her to hang out with her friends.” Focus on truths that build. The enemy can and does play with our minds when we are apart, but we must hold to true and praiseworthy things. The truth is that both partners want to be living life together, mutually supporting and loving each other.

14 Hemingway Semper Fidelis Room

Funds Raised by Marines through WAY S OF GIVING TO OCF Room Sponsorship Program by Dave Rowland OCF Director of Resource Development Often when I talk with people about donating to Offi cers’ e revere the Marine Corps for its traditions, its glorious Christian Fellowship, they ask me about the best way to donate. history, and most of all for the men and women who have Let me answer that here. W burnished the reputation of the Corps by their initiative, their There are multiple ways of giving to OCF: bravery, and their love and concern for their comrades-in-arms. • Many simply mail a check to OCF at 3784 S. Inca St., LtCol Tom Hemingway was just such a man who inspired his Englewood CO 80110-3405. Marines beyond what they thought possible. Tom retired in 1980 after • A growing number of contributors are using On-Line twenty years of service, to go into full-time service with OCF. He Banking. Because of competition in the banking industry, served fi rst in Colorado as the director of Spring Canyon Conference many banks are offering this service for free. Center and later as OCF’s director of the ROTC Ministry. • Others use Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). To do that, LtGen Bruce L. Fister, USAF (Ret.), remembers Tom as a man simply go to the OCF website, www.ocfusa.org, click on the who gave his all for the Marine Corps and for his Lord. General Fister red Donate Now button on the home page, and click on said, “Wherever he found himself— combat, professional school, the EFT form. We take EFT gifts on either the fi fth or the neighborhood, college ROTC unit—that was his mission fi eld. He twentieth of the month. made no compromises in his service to the Lord. His vision was not • Still another way to give is to use OCF’s On-Line Giving. just to ‘survive, but thrive in the Lord,’ an attitude he conveyed to To do that, simply go to the OCF website, www.ocfusa.org, younger Marines. He lived his life in a way that won him the right to click on the red Donate Now button on the home page, and introduce others to the Lord.” click on the Donate Online link. We take Visa, MasterCard, As you know, the OCF Growing and Building Campaign includes Discover, and American Express credit cards as well as building the Heritage House main lodge at our eastern conference electronic checks. center at White Sulphur Springs, in Manns Choice, Pennsylvania. • There are a few contributors who give by military You may also know that we have a room sponsorship program. A allotment. If someone wants to do this, please contact Dean group or individual can donate and name a guest room in Heritage Millard, OCF’s Director of Finance, since there are different House for $25,000. We recently received gifts totalling $31,477 for procedures for the different services. the Hemingway Semper Fidelis Room in Heritage House. This room, • A few donors like to contribute their appreciated stock so named, will remind us of Tom Hemingway’s biblical leadership, as to OCF. Anyone wanting to do this should contact Dean well as the heritage of leadership found throughout the history of the Millard, OCF’s Director of Finance, for the specifi c Corps. procedures. While we are grateful for these gifts, we would love to see In each of these cases, the donor needs to annotate how they others sponsor a room. We are now raising funds for an Army Room, would like their gift to be distributed: whether it is all for the and to date we have received $17,517 toward the goal of $25,000. general fund, a specifi c purpose, or part for the Capital Campaign Some other efforts to sponsor rooms currently include a Texas Aggie and part for another area of OCF’s ministry. Room, USCGA Room, and USMA Room. Please pray about these Please contact Dean Millard, OCF’s Director of Finance, at 800- opportunities. If you would like to get involved, please contact Dave 424-1984 or [email protected] if you have any questions or Rowland or Dean Millard in the home offi ce. need more specifi c information about your giving options. As always, OCF commits to using every donation wisely to God’s glory.

COMMAND® is a registered trademark of Offi cers’ Christian Fellowship of the U.S.A. Copyright© 2010 All rights reserved. COMMAND © (UPS 014-736/ISSN 0010-2474). Title © U.S. Patent and Trademark Offi ce (Ser. No. 76-136, 392/Int. class 016). First use 9-0-1957. Published four times a year, February, May, August, and December by Offi cers’ Christian Fellowship of the U.S.A., 3784 South Inca Street, Englewood, Colorado 80110-3405. Distributed free to OCF members and some military agencies. Subscription price for others is $20 per year, $30 for two years, $40 for three years. Periodicals postage paid at Englewood, Colorado, and at additional mailing offi ces. Postmaster: Send address changes to COMMAND at 3784 South Inca Street, Englewood, CO 80110-3405.

COMMAND February 2010, Vol. 59, No. 1. Articles from readers are welcome. Authors are not paid for articles published. By submitting letters, e-mail, photos, and other materials to Offi cers’ Christian Fellowship, you agree that the materials submitted become the property of OCF and will not be returned, and you agree that OCF has been granted the non-exclusive rights to use and/or reproduce the materials in any manner and for any purpose. Our agreement is made in Colorado, and controlled by Colorado law. Articles and other items published in this magazine may not represent the offi cial view of Offi cers’ Christian Fellowship of the United States of America, its governing council, or its staff. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE® (NASB), Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Home offi ce address: OCF, 3784 S. Inca St., Englewood, CO 80110-3405 OCF website: www.ocfusa.org Phone: 303-761-1984 Fax: 303-761-6226 Toll Free 800-424-1984 E-mail: [email protected] Publisher/Editor: Michael Edwards, e-mail: [email protected] Associate Editor: Barb Beyer, e-mail: [email protected] Associate Editor/Artistic Director: Karen Martin, e-mail: [email protected] Administrative Assistant: Karen Fliedner, e-mail: [email protected] 15 Rocky Mountain High Rocky Mountain High is an adventure program designed to teach ROTC cadets, midshipmen, company grade officers, and anyone else the principles of Christ-based leadership.

2010 Dates: Activities include: RMH 1: 29 May–5 June • Ropes Course/Team building RMH 2: 5–12 June • Rock Climbing and Rappelling RMH 3: 12–19 June • 14,000 Peak Summit/3-Day Trek RMH 4: 17–24 July (sold out) • White-water Rafting RMH 5: 24–31 July (couples) RMH 6: 31 July–7 Aug For more information please visit our website at For more information please visit our website at Session fee is $395. www.springcanyon.org/rmh/rmh.htm Scholarships and group discounts or call (888)663-1417 are available. 16