What is a CCPO?

Two posts within one week? I am on a roll. Sadly, I cannot take the credit for writing this one. Now that others know the decisions Emily and I have made to pursue Chaplaincy within the Navy, many people have begun to ask questions. The main one I have been hearing is, "So your accepted as a CCPO, what does that mean?"

I will let Chaplain Diana Meehan explain. The following is taken from a discussion on the US Navy Chaplain Facebook page:

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CHAPLAIN CANDIDATE PROGRAM OFFICER PROGRAM

The CCPO program is not an end in itself, but a means to become a Navy Chaplain.  

Your goal is to:

• receive a post-baccalaureate graduate degree in the field of theological or related studies from a qualifying educational institution. A qualifying degree program will require no less than 72 semester hours of graduate-level work.
• fulfill respective faith group ecclesiastical endorsement requirements needed to supersede as an inactive reserve or active duty Chaplain.
• supersede from officer designator 1945 to officer designator 4100 (ACTIVE DUTY)/ or 4105 (RESERVES) upon completing ecclesiastical endorsement requirements.

CCPOs are not Chaplains. Navy instructions make this differentiation.

Chaplain Candidates are direct commission officers who are training for Chaplaincy. Chaplain Candidates are considered Individual Ready Reservists (IRR).

CCPOs are not subject to mobilization and cannot be called to active duty in times of national emergency. The officer designator of 1945 identifies one as a CCPO. Upon a superseding appointment to either the inactive reserves or active duty, this designator will change to 4100/ or 4105.

CCPOs are eligible for promotion in the same manner as other Naval Reserve officers. However, Chaplain Candidates remain in a training status until they supersede or are discharged.

How CCPOs are Addressed :

The proper address of CCPOs is either "Chaplain Candidate" or by rank. A Chaplain Candidate may not be addressed as "Chaplain."

What to Expect as a Chaplain Candidate:

FIRST YEAR: 5 weeks at Officer Development School , 1 week at Navy Chaplain School, 2 weeks of On the Job Training

SECOND YEAR: 4 weeks Navy Chaplain School, OJT.

THIRD YEAR: 3 weeks Navy Chaplain School (AMEX/TEAMS) and OJT.

The Goal: Supersede
Once you have completed all educational and faith group requirements for endorsement, you will want to apply to supersede [for active or reserve duty].

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So, as of right now, Emily and I are not moving anywhere. Acceptance into the CCPO program simply means that I will be gone for about a month every summer until I complete my M.Div.
 

Why Navy Chaplaincy?

The idea to become a chaplain within the United States Navy was not an idea that was formed overnight. In fact, this process has been a journey that has continued to unfold throughout the recent years. Growing up, I never had the aspiration to become a minister, or even considered serving as a chaplain. In my junior year of college I began to have the yearning to pursue ministry with the hopes of serving others. My goal was never to change the world, but to try and impact the lives of those individuals who are in need, by reaching out to them. It was this urge to serve that thrust me into the perilous waters of my calling to ministry.

I do not want to make my calling to ministry appear as though it is a terrifying experience. Yet, I have learned it can be. Just as a ship cannot be fully prepared for what the waves and storms may bring, discerning your call can be filled with situations that are unanticipated. You may begin your journey going full steam ahead in one direction, when you see a storm brewing in the distance. It is during this time that you must discern and gauge your course in order to see which path will be best for yourself and those traveling along on this voyage with you.

I could see the storm in front of me. This storm was calling out, erupting with lightning and thunder, with hopes of getting my attention. It did. I understood that I must look at the paths that are available, and I must see where I should go. I must be silent. I must try to hear the still small voice of God.
It was at that time in my life when I felt a calling towards the chaplaincy. I looked around and saw a broken world. A world that needed hope. Days and days of hearing of news about wars and violence around the world became almost too much to bear. My heart went out to the men and women serving this country with hopes of bringing freedom and justice to the world. I was proud, yet at the same time, saddened. I thought of what evils they must face and what circumstances they must go through. Who is there to turn to when they are miles away from family and friends? Who will listen to their deepest moans and cries? Who will be there with them during the highs and lows? I wanted to be there. I want to be a listening ear, guiding them on their journey, showing them hope.

When becoming a chaplain, you receive the greatest honor that one could ever have. You are able to serve God, by serving those who serve others. You are able to be there for the men and women that are on the frontlines, giving hope to the world. You are able to serve your country by giving guidance to those who need light shed on their path. In a world that is crying out for justice and peace, you are helping serve with those who are attempting to answer that cry.

“So, why the navy?” Asked my father, who served in the Air Force. The answer is simple, yet it took time to figure out. After many interviews and questions, I found that the Navy was able to best put into action what I was looking for. With the Navy, I would be given opportunities to impact others lives by giving them hope when it is needed. I was thrilled with the idea of living life with the men and women who give up so much. You are able to show the presence of God by being with them during their pains and pleasures, joys and sorrows, laughter and cries. In the Navy you get the opportunity to care for soldiers one on one, as well as group settings. You are able to experience diverse faith groups working as one in order to care for the souls of all. You are able to serve not just on Sunday, but 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You are able to eat, sleep, train, and pray with these men and women. Yet, greatest of all, you are able to show God’s love to all people, regardless of their personal and faith background.

While I am currently not a Navy Chaplain, I am honored to be considered by the Navy as a Chaplain Candidate Program Officer. While this does not guarantee that I will be accepted as a reserve or active duty Chaplain upon finishing my M.Div, it is a way to experience what the Navy has to offer and it begins my process to become a Navy Chaplain.

I Am Impatient

I have never been good at waiting. When I was young I would often get in trouble for opening up the oven before the food was finished just to look at it. “If you keep opening that door the food will never cook.” My dad would say in a loving tone. So, with the news of Emily being pregnant, I thought… can we just hurry the process up?

Nine months. Seems too long. I have never had to wait nine months for anything. Sure, Christmas comes only once a year, but I at least have a birthday, Halloween, and Thanksgiving to tide me over until the big day. This is different. I have to just sit and wait until the stork decides to drop off the little package at our doorstep. Does anyone know how to contact this bird? I just assumed he would call us.

While we do have to wait, at least we get cute little pictures like these:

Is it wrong that it took me about 5-10 minutes just to figure out what part was the head? If you are like me and can’t tell what’s going on in the picture, I will give you a rundown.

Emily is 10 weeks pregnant Tuesday.

The baby is due January 11^th

The baby is currently one inch long.

Its heart rate is 178 beats per minute.

If you ask me, it is a boy.

If you ask Emily, it is a girl.

Our next trip back to the OBGYN to figure out the sex of the baby will be in August. I will start taking bets on the gender. I figure it is a good way to start a college fund for when he/she is all grown up.

What do you think?

Hello Summer

Oh how I have missed your 100-degree days. But I am not the only one who has missed you; apparently our lawn is bursting with joy at the sight of your death rays. At least, I think that is what it means when the yard turns from green to a brown/tan straw color. Now I know why people complained about lack of rain during the summer. Since this is the first summer Emily and I have had a lawn, I never knew the amount of water it takes it to keep it looking healthy. I also never thought the water bill could get this high. Thanks summer!

But with the summer comes travel plans. The time of year where everyone gets to dream for weeks about their exciting summer journeys. I think the planning and anticipation can be more fun than the actual trip. This summer Emily and I are very lucky to have the opportunity to go on three different trips. One to Tennessee for the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and one to New Mexico to visit Emily’s grandparents. We also will be headed down to Bayview, TX in early August for a mission trip with New Hope Fellowship.

Another big news headline in our life is the decision by both Emily and myself to pursue chaplaincy within the US Navy. I used the word both for a reason. While I feel a strong calling toward the Navy, if Emily was not on board with this, it would not work and there would be no point in putting us through the stress that comes with the territory. Right now I am currently filling out the massive amount of paperwork to become a CCPO (Chaplain Candidate Program Officer). This means that I can do my ODS (Officer Development School) and Navy Chaplain School training throughout the rest of my summers in school rather than all at once.

However, the news did not go over that well with some of the family. At times it has felt as though we are on the hot seat with others wondering ‘why’ we would do this and I get the sense that secretly some are hoping this is an idea that will fade with time. It is one of those things that must seem ‘crazy’ to an outsider. Who would want to move every 3 years? Who would want to leave their family months at a time? I can tell you, these are not things I am looking forward to if I am able to become a Navy chaplain. However, one will learn to adapt. It is a completely different lifestyle but we would not be the first family to do this and surely we would not be the last. My prayers are that with time comes understanding, and with understanding comes joy. The joy that both Emily and I have found when seeing the impact we could make through this opportunity. To share love to those who need it, to give hope to those without hope, and to live our life with the understanding that we only get one shot at this thing. We only have one life to make a difference, so why not get out there and do something.

With love,

Trey

April 2011

4 months have come and gone and I guess it’s about time to update.

Not that there’s much to update. Still working at the middle school. Trey is still a Youth Minister. And now he is officially Reverend Youree Henry Posey III. He got licensed as a Minister in the Trinity Brazos Area.

I’m really looking forward to having the entire summer off. I’m going to try to work on a few projects that I have brewing in my mind. Like revamping my closet, thrifting with my sister, painting/sketching again, re-doing our living room, and trying to teach Trey how to do laundry… correctly. Wishful thinking.

{I’m thankful that my husband is so sweet and hilarious}

{I’m thankful that I married into such a loving and generous family}

{I’m thankful that my family is in a good place, even though I miss them}

{I’m thankful that we have a supportive and devoted church family}

That about sums up life for us. Simplicity is a beautiful thing.

New Year, New Blog.

EMILY IS PREGNANT!

Ok, I am lying. I was always told to have an attention getter at the beginning of your paper to get people interested… are you interested? Good. Let us continue.

One year ago…

Trey: You know what we should do. Lets have a blog and update it every day or week, writing about our lives so people can know what is going on with us.

Emily: Yeah! Lets do it! That would be awesome. Your such a great, charming, helpful, handsome…. etc. etc.… husband.

Today

Trey: Have we updated that blog thing in awhile?

Emily: *snore*

Ok… to be fair, I am asking her this question at 11:00 PM. To those who know us… that is extremely late for us. Emily has been asleep for the past two hours and I am sitting here quite bored. Usually we are both in bed and sound asleep by 10:15. I must have had too much caffeine. Oh wait! I had Chicken Express Sweet Tea, its all that sugar keeping me up. Since I have nothing to do, I thought what the heck, ill dust off this old blog thing and give it a whirl.

So, it’s a new year! Exciting right? Meh. (I’m being so pessimistic tonight)

Our new years eve consisted of going to sleep at 9:00 and waking up every two hours with Annie gasping for air because she burrows under the comforters. She has yet to figure out that she suffocates herself when she is under the comforters for a prolonged amount of time. You would think this dog would learn….

So what is everyone’s new year resolution? Oh… what is mine you ask? Sure I can set some high lofty goal, that in reality, I will never accomplish. Like working out or updating this blog every week (both of these are clearly not producing results). So, I try not to make any resolution. If I did have one, it would be just to survive another semester in seminary. Surprisingly, I finished out the year strong with my papers… cant say the same thing about the tests :x.

Next semester I will be taking 12 hours instead of 9, which is three hours over full time. I wanted to give it a shot and if I do poorly, I can always blame it on the fact that the load was just too heavy for me. Is it sad that I am already planning my excuses before the semester even begins? Or is it worse that I am having this conversation with myself inside my head…

Emily began work this week and is struggling to get back into the swing of things. I think the two weeks of vacation has gotten her a bit off track. Plus it doesn’t help that while she is clocking in I am sitting at home in my PJ’s eating bonbons, and when she clocks out I am still sitting at home in my PJ’s eating bonbons. But next week… school… here I come!

Annie and Bentley are doing very well to all the dog fans out there. Bentley has actually been allowed to stay out of his crate during the day when we are not at home. He has given up the whole “I’m going to pee everywhere in this house…especially this comfy couch!” routine. Surprise to all those who have sat on our couch! He still has issues when people come over and he gets all excited, but we will work on that some other day (sorry Cody).

Well I am not sure how informative this post was, but it will have to do. The sugar is wearing off and I am getting sleepy. Happy New Year to all our friends and family! This may be the last post of the year so enjoy it while you can. I know everyone was hanging on the edge of his or her seat for my next posting.

On a more serious note: God is good. All the time. Before Emily went to sleep tonight, she said, “I like our little family.” It’s these moments right before bed when I have Emily at my right, Annie between us, and Bentley at the bottom of the bed chewing on the comforters, that I stop and think that I am very blessed to be in the situation I am in. Are there bad days? Sure, but that is what makes a family. A family does not have to be perfect; a family is about living life together and experiencing the highs and lows together. We are all family, whether we sleep in the same bed, house, city, state, or planet. I hope we all, one day, are able to come together, with all our differences and similarities, to softly say… “I like our little family” and rejoice in this diverse world that we are given.

Well family…. until next year,

Trey, Emily, Annie, and Bentley.