SPC Hovland was operating the robotic arm while my convoy of 9 vehicles, the length of a football field, was stopped between two large hills – a prime spot for an ambush. As the digging continued, I provided an update to my men who were scanning the hills for any movement. Then Hov-dog said,”Sir, come take a look.” We were parked next to four yellow jugs – 160lbs of explosives. Then, we came under attack.
Suddenly, my 0.50 cal machine gunner, SPC Vonderlin, began returning fire. “Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!” Then another voice cried over the radio, “We have a sniper!” As I put together a quick report and ordered a squad attack the enemy position on the hill to our front. I continued to send updates and coordinate a medical evacuation and Sergeant First Class Camacho, the 30-year-old combat veteran from Saipan, led the charge up the hill. With the enemies dispatched, I heard the thump of helicopter blades in the distance. The helicopter landed and my team loaded the casualties. Then a voice came over the radio. “End EX, end EX, end EX!” to stop the exercise.
The above scenario was not real. It was a training exercise from my time as a platoon leader in 2013 and we passed the test. It was one of the moments that made me love the Army, Soldiers, and getting covered in dirt. In the coming months, however, I will take off my rucksack and rifle, and trade it for a beard and backpack. I’m not sure how God is going to use my military experience, but I know that I am walking in his will and he will find a way.
Over the months leading to this post, I struggled with direction my life had turned. Until March 2014, my Army career seemed like it was only going up. I led soldiers and watched them change from men with marital issues, DUIs, and numerous other problem, to committed professionals who mentored other soldiers and who are now Sergeants. I thought I was going to be wildly successful – by the world’s standards. But, God had other plans.
Faced with a sudden halt in career progress, the identity I had forged in the Army suddenly disappeared. I felt lost. Nevertheless, a mentor helped me see that this was a call to life-long learning and humility. I needed to forge my identity upon something that never changes. Thanks this wise counsel and my parents, I grew from my mistakes and became a stronger Christian and leader.
God knew I could not learn this lesson overnight, so he kept in the Army and made me patiently wait on Him. He showed my how little worldly success means in his eyes. During those 2 years, he worked on my heart and called me to be obedient to his teachings, to sharpen myself with Christian mentors, to learn that his ways do not always make sense, but they are the right ways.
So it begins… come March 30th, I will take a step in faith and see what God has to teach me these next 11 months. I will embrace freedom of knowing and growing in Him. I will be tested both spiritually and physically and be the hands and feet of of the Creator as I hike to remote location in Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia. I ask that you pray for me on this journey – for growth, maturity, perspective, and a double portion of David’s Spirit.
P.S. Please support me if this post spoke to you!
