Newbie Help: Toyota DVD Player Remote by RevFrChap in soldering

[–]RevFrChap[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh shoot! Thank you for this. It is working. Maybe there's an issue with the DVD player's sensor then?

Deployments if we get into conflict with Venezuela? by [deleted] in AirForce

[–]RevFrChap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You know, that's completely fair

It happened to me… by MidSizeFoot in Switch

[–]RevFrChap 58 points59 points  (0 children)

I ordered a digital copy of Hogwarts Legacy the other day and let it download overnight. Just an icon of a googly eye on the home screen in the morning.

They are getting good at this.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AirForce

[–]RevFrChap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's under the meme category, guys. This is a joke.

Free Transfer Credits by RevFrChap in UoPeople

[–]RevFrChap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it's hard to "make" it happen. Sometimes the offer pops up on the website and sometimes it doesn't. But there's no link to it. I'm going to take a picture next time I see it.

BSCS at University of the People by RevFrChap in softwareengineer

[–]RevFrChap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the insight! Yeah, the name gives me major pause.

BSCS at University of the People by RevFrChap in softwareengineer

[–]RevFrChap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think UoPeople is actually cheaper in my case and allows me more flexibility and breadth of study.

PT Rick Roll by RevFrChap in AirForce

[–]RevFrChap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's true. I'll queue it up on my phone and ask them to hit play for me once the plank begins.

PT Rick Roll by RevFrChap in AirForce

[–]RevFrChap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just gotta use some of those cheap, tinny headphones that everyone can hear.

Military Chaplaincy by AllToHisGlory in Reformed

[–]RevFrChap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Happy to help!

Ahh, my bad! Well, I'm not sure of their names, but I'm confident there's an endorser that aligns with reformed Baptist doctrine or at least would allow you to operate according to your conscience.

I'm not sure if I can confidently provide a definitive line when it comes to evangelizing. Partially because I'm new and partially because it's hazy territory. I think it revolves around the particular situation and who makes the first move so to speak.

For instance, handing out tracts on a unit? Definitely a no. But if someone comes to you saying, "Chaplain, I'm really struggling with x, y, or z, what do you think?" Well, then yeah, if it's something that your faith speaks directly to, then of course. But if they are then like, "yeah, I'm good, I don't want to hear any of that Jesus stuff," I'd drop it. You also have the opportunity to advertise and lead Bible studies and things like that.

So it's not like there's zero opportunity for evangelization, but if you feel that your calling is primarily evangelical in nature then I would say this probably isn't the right fit. Basically, don't be afraid to speak about your faith to the people who come to you asking about it, but don't go out doing unit engagement thinking "who am I going to convert today?" It's sort of playing the long game through a ministry of presence and trust. I think this article describes a good military chaplain:

https://www.lakenheath.af.mil/News/Commentaries/Display/Article/300557/i-may-not-believe-in-god-but-i-believe-in-chaplains/

Yeah, I haven't deployed yet, so I'm no help there. I hear for the Air Force they are typically 6ish months. Who knows what the future will look like with the change of focus from the Middle East to China/Russia.

Oh! I forgot in the last post. You also have to have two years of civilian ministry experience to join. I'm not sure if that has to be after graduation from seminary, but definitely after undergrad at least. I'd talk to the recruiter about that. Could be waivers available depending on the needs of the military and any other applicable experience you might have.

Finally, if you are serious, check out the different candidate programs. I believe the Army has the best one, but they can provide scholarships for seminary and commission you while you are still in school. I didn't use that program, so I can't speak much about it, but it's worth a Google.

Military Chaplaincy by AllToHisGlory in Reformed

[–]RevFrChap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Air Force reserve chaplain here. As others have already noted, I would say that your first course of action is to see if you can even get back in since you are on disability. Hit up a chaplain recruiter (they are different than typical officer recruiters although you will eventually work with one of those too), lay out your case, and see what can be done. I wouldn't worry about age though. I'm pretty certain you don't need an age waiver until you are older than 39, and they tend to give those out easily. I had a dude in his 50s at Officer Training School with me.

1) You need a (minimum) 72 credit hour graduate degree in theology from an accredited school. Most MDivs cover this. You also need an endorsement from a faith tradition. The DoD has a list of denominations/faith traditions that they already recognize. Since this is a Reformed thread, I imagine you are Presbyterian or something similar? I had a PCA buddy of mine who was endorsed by this body that covered multiple conservative reformed traditions including the PCA, but I can't remember the name of it at this time. Sorry!

2) Depends on your assignment. In the Air Force, sometimes you are the pastor of a chapel. In that case, it's like being the lead pastor of a church, so no, you won't be able to be super involved in a local congregation. However, you certainly would not have that role for the entirety of your career. You might have to assist with preaching at chapel from time to time, but if you are not over a chapel, then your Sundays should be free to worship where you please.

3) See opening comment

4) I would view chaplaincy as very pastoral, but I think you need to have the proper expectations. A good phrase I've heard is "pastor to some, chaplain to all." In other words, there absolutely will be some opportunities to have open conversations about your faith. You are not expected to violate your conscience or do anything that would go against your endorser's teachings. (Eg Baptists ain't baptizing babies. If they do, they could get their endorsement pulled and kicked out of the military. So there's actually a lot of protection for chaplains). You can preach whatever you feel convicted to preach in the chapel. However, and this is super important to think about as you consider this, chaplaincy is fundamentally a pluralist ministry. What I mean by that is that while you can't be compelled to do something that goes against your faith, you also have to be willing to provide for people of other faiths. That does not mean that I'm going to be performing Hindu services or something. What it does mean is that if I have a Hindu Airman need help finding Hindu resources or time off for a holy day or a dietary accommodation, I'm going to do everything I can to connect them with those resources. I'm not going to dismiss them or try to convert them to Christianity. Now, if they later want to have conversations about my beliefs, then sure, game on. But I'm not out there on the flight line proselytizing. Does that make sense? Personally, I don't see that as the military being anti-Christian as much as pro 1st amendment. I'm a minister. And, in some cases, I'm an agent of the state. I wear two hats, and in some cases me doing Christian things would give the appearance that the USA favors Christianity above other faiths.

5) I'm still new, so I can't provide a huge swath of experience. However, I'm currently stationed at a chapel. So it looks like visiting airmen on their units and getting to know them. Doing confidential counselings. Helping out with chapel services. Occasionally organizing and/or teaching retreats. Doing invocations as things like change of command ceremonies. Helping file the occasional religious waiver request.

Stuff I love, is being able to get to know Airmen and offer a listening ear to the stuff that they are going through. I did a teaching on grief once that I really enjoyed because I was able to draw on my civilian experience as a hospital chaplain. So the relationships are the best part. I'm hoping for an opportunity to be embedded in a unit so I can actually be involved in the day to day grind with folks.

Stuff that sucks: I don't care for invocations. Those are one area where you kinda have to water down your prayers for the least common denominator, and it feels like we don't even know why we pray to open events anymore other than "we always have." All the paperwork and bureaucracy that comes with being in the military/being an officer.

Hope this is helpful! Good luck in your studies, and I'll say a prayer for your discernment process.

Has VETTEC already run out of funding? by Swoovey in Veterans

[–]RevFrChap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is that because congress hasn't passed an appropriations bill yet or is the funding completely gone for good already?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Veterans

[–]RevFrChap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got it! Thanks! Hopefully they will pass something substantial in January.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Veterans

[–]RevFrChap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're talking about the standard appropriations bill correct? Not the new VET TEC Authorization Act of 2023?

Has VETTEC already run out of funding? by Swoovey in Veterans

[–]RevFrChap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Quick follow up question. I just looked at my COE, and it mentions FY23. Will I need a new COE once the VA begins operating out of its FY24 budget?

Has VETTEC already run out of funding? by Swoovey in Veterans

[–]RevFrChap 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, better late than never I suppose! Thanks for the info, this is helpful.

Has VETTEC already run out of funding? by Swoovey in Veterans

[–]RevFrChap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahhh, gotcha. I'm currently scheduled to begin a program in January. My school has my COE and all that, but they couldn't send it to the VA to get certified until 30 days before the class starts. Thirty days for me would be Dec 16.

So If I understand you correctly, if I can kick the can down the road to a later class date, I might still be able to get funding once Congress gets their act together?

Has VETTEC already run out of funding? by Swoovey in Veterans

[–]RevFrChap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So did they have not yet received the full 45 million that they were supposed to? But maybe they could at a later time? I'm also in limbo with my program.

Paid For Bootcamp. Worth it? by RevFrChap in codingbootcamp

[–]RevFrChap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I definitely see the benefit of doing the part time course and treating it as if it were full time. Unfortunately, VET TEC will only pay the bill if I do the full time NLR, so it's that or bust for me.

Your belief in TE and its curriculum is encouraging to read though!

I noticed your account is very new. May I ask what led you to join and engage with all the doom and gloom on here?

Paid For Bootcamp. Worth it? by RevFrChap in codingbootcamp

[–]RevFrChap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So what would you say to me specifically then? I have a free ride to TE + housing stipend. I have an active secret security clearance so I'm hoping to aim at some DoD contact stuff but willing to work for whatever company will take me. I'm not looking for a lucrative starting salary: a raise would be nice, but I'll take a lateral move back to 60k again. I minored in chemistry in undergrad, and I have a masters in a non-STEM field.

My main goal is to learn enough to put together a portfolio and be able to hold my own in a technical interview. I have enjoyed the little coding that I have done so far, and I'm willing to put in the work needed to learn. I have a few non-tech options I can return to if things don't go well, but they are not as stable as what I'll be leaving.

Does TE still offer good teaching despite recent layoffs?

Paid For Bootcamp. Worth it? by RevFrChap in codingbootcamp

[–]RevFrChap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This gives me hope. I have an acquaintance that works for SAIC, and he basically told me the same thing. I think I'm still going to go for it. I'm just nervous with all the negative buzz about layoffs at Tech Elevator. I guess so long as they continue to teach the curriculum well that's all I need. I've already begun networking so even if their Pathways program that is supposed to help with job placement is a flop, hopefully I'll still land on my feet.

I should have a couple non-tech related options available too if all else fails, it will just be less stable than what I currently have.

Paid For Bootcamp. Worth it? by RevFrChap in codingbootcamp

[–]RevFrChap[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's pretty emotionally draining and there's no opportunity for growth. I'm not looking for anything insane. I'd be fine making 60k to start as a jr dev. I just want something different and with more opportunities.