Howdy...

[oldglory05]

My name is Justin, and I'm new to Christian Forums, so I thought it best to start out with a hearty introduction. Just a couple of months ago, I decided to go into the military. After doing all my homework on each branch and every option, I decided on Army, and will be leaving in January for BCT at Fort Jackson.

Now, it took me forever to find a forum for both Christians and those serving in the military. The reason for my search is this; I love God. I want everything in my life, every thought and action, to reflect that love. I want to Him to be the center of everything I do. So, naturally, I wanted to get to know others who are also serving both their country and their Lord. I'd like to gain insight from them. Thus, I found this place, and decided to do those things here.

So here goes my first question, and please, anybody, feel free to share your thoughts. How has being in the military effected your spiritual life and love for God?

 

[Alasse]

First off, welcome to CF.J Second, to congrats on joining the Army. I joined the Marines myself in august, but save that for another story. I will defiantly pray for you once you leave for boot camp.

How has the military changed my spriritual life? Not much really. I still have time to go to church, and my brother has told me that there is exceptional churches on bases that I can go to wherever I am stationed. I also know that there is on on base when I go to boot. So I am happy that I can still worship God in church, but I would anyway if there was not any available around. So, good luck, and God bless.

 

[oldglory05]

Best of luck to you too, Alasse. With all those jarheads around, I'm sure you'll need it. In fact, I almost went with the Marines, but I wanted to be a Ranger more, so that pretty much narrowed it down. You'll definitely be in my prayers as well.

 

[pinqy]

How has being in the military effected your spiritual life and love for God?

While not the answer you're looking for, it was while in the Army that I realized how little sense religion made and how non-existant any evidence for any gods was and I realized I didn't believe at all. A lot of the institutionalized religious trappings of the military, such as prayers at military ceremonies and the inclusion of "so help me, God" in the enlistment oath also tuned me in to the strong need for Church/State seperation.

There are atheists in foxholes, contrary to rumor.

 

[phoboskaitromos]

So here goes my first question, and please, anybody, feel free to share your thoughts. How has being in the military effected your spiritual life and love for God?

Justin,

Thank you for your enlistment. I'll answer your question straight away. I did not become a Christian until I was a few years into my career (8 years now). Having seen the need for Christ in the soldier's lives has strengthened my faith and I have been called to the Chaplaincy. My love for God is strengthened when I witness His hand and effectual call leading another soldier to accept Christ and embrace the Gospel. When I first became a Christian, it was difficult for me, as all of those things I used to do that I realized were abominations were still surrounding me. I had to pray for God to continue to sanctify me and help me shed those things that I clung to even after justification.

I can tell you that it will be tough. I don't know how strong your faith is now, but it will be tested. This may be the greatest test of your faith you'll ever know. Soldiers tend to try to out "macho" one another in many ways. Embellished stories, excessive cursing, sexual joking,pornography, and the like. You will encounter it immediately. It will seem like a very worldly experience. Rest assured, God is there with you. My advice to you is...1)Stay in the Word and Pray without ceasing (1Thes 5:17 2)Find other Christians to associate and fellowship with 3) You will have a chance to go to church services...Get to know your Chaplain(s) 4)When confronted with crude joking and the like...slip away. Don't have a holier than thou attitude. Let your actions speak of your faith...Be a Light! (Mt 5:16).

Be encouraged...I will pray for you that your faith will increase and that God will give you the strength you need in your path to Ranger School. I will also pray that you might be a vessel for His Glory as you stand out in the ranks.

In Christ,

Will

 

[Autumnleaf]

For me the military brought me an understanding of what it takes for a country to be free. Lots of guys with guns backed up by God.

 

[oldglory05]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Your words go a long way.

 

[3girls2dogs]

Hi Oldglory...nice to meet you. My husband is a Marine, but I wish you luck anyway LOL...j/k of course

What you are doing is a wonderful thing for your country. Thank you for your upcoming service, and I wish you all the blessings and good things I can. I know that the military life can be difficult to reconcile with your spiritual life if you don't stay strong, but just like any other aspect in life, with faith, you will be fine. I will be praying for your military and spiritual success.

 

[daveleau]

Welcome and I am glad you found our forum! God bless you in your pursuit of service to Christ and to the citizens.

I have been blessed in the USAF. I attempted for years to pursue another course, but God was not in it. I know I could go that much more lucrative course now, based on my multiple states where I could now apply, but I feel that I am where God wants me right now. The USAF is paying for my master's degree in seminary and that is a supreme blessing. I have also been blessed by fellow Christians in my squadron. We've learned a lot together and support each other when we deploy.

Thank you for your enlistment. I hope God blesses you and your family (present and/or future family) while you are in.

God bless you,
Dave

 

[BourbonFromHeaven]

Best of luck to you too, Alasse. With all those jarheads around, I'm sure you'll need it. In fact, I almost went with the Marines, but I wanted to be a Ranger more, so that pretty much narrowed it down. You'll definitely be in my prayers as well.

So you wanna be Victor classed eh? Why then to Fort Jackson? Do you have a RIP contract?

 

[oldglory05]

I almost went with Option 40 (Airborne and RIP), but many factors caused me not to. For starters, I didn't feel that I was ready for RIP, and didn't want to go in over my head. Rather, I went with a more subtle MOS (42A) that would give me time to prepare, adjust to Army life, and get some college out of the way. I intend on staying with the Army for a pretty long time, so waiting a couple of years before I go out for a Ranger tab didn't bother me any. We'll see how it goes.

 

[BourbonFromHeaven]

I almost went with Option 40 (Airborne and RIP), but many factors caused me not to. For starters, I didn't feel that I was ready for RIP, and didn't want to go in over my head. Rather, I went with a more subtle MOS (42A) that would give me time to prepare, adjust to Army life, and get some college out of the way. I intend on staying with the Army for a pretty long time, so waiting a couple of years before I go out for a Ranger tab didn't bother me any. We'll see how it goes.

I'm not a big fan of Option 40. Then again, I really don't dig the mentality over there at 3rd Ranger batt.


Good luck with the Army. Have any questions, lemme at'em.

 

[Sybaris]

While not the answer you're looking for, it was while in the Army that I realized how little sense religion made and how non-existant any evidence for any gods was and I realized I didn't believe at all. A lot of the institutionalized religious trappings of the military, such as prayers at military ceremonies and the inclusion of "so help me, God" in the enlistment oath also tuned me in to the strong need for Church/State seperation.

There are atheists in foxholes, contrary to rumor.

Same here

Living/visiting other countries and learning about local religions led me to the same conclusion. In turn I have found that most atheists I know are a lot more educated about other religions than the Christians I have known........... even to the extent of having a better understanding why they don't believe as compared to those who do.

 

[EricCartman]

nah, Fort Jackson for basic seems to carry a good cross section of mos'. The army in one way helped me, because I worked for the chaplain for five years on active duty. Im a legal begal for the reserves now. So in that way, being forced to go to church on sunday, being forced to work days with a man of God, helped me alot, but the military life style... well it may have just been my age 18-23, but lots of experiences involving alchole women etc. But that would probably also happen if you went to college.. where I am now. So its pretty much a wash. Unless you go to war, I noticed in Iraq suddenly everyone was a church goer.

 

[jesuschickseven]

Hey I enlisted in the Army in October..I did a lot of "homework" too. I even had a chart made up to compare the different branches...my recruiter thought I was nuts ;0 Overall the Army had a better program for linguists.
I leave in May for Fort Leonard Wood, Best Wishes to you!