By Maj. (Chaplain) Bob Williams, 5th Brigade

Struggling can be one of the best classes to take in gaining a good education. For me, struggling in education started in elementary school. I struggled with hard classes, poor grades, and feelings of failure. I had serious doubts about myself. 

But struggling academically helped me to grow and learn from my experiences. It revealed a better person despite all my doubts and fears. I did not have a love for school. Education became more like an enemy. I struggled to make good grades and each time I moved up to the next grade, the work got progressively more difficult and I became more and more frustrated.  When assigned to reading groups every year, the teacher placed me in the bottom group out of three levels. I felt trapped at the bottom of the barrel unable to get out.

But somewhere deep inside me I was determined not to quit.  In my later teen years, I did earn my high school education.  But what I couldn’t quite understand was, “why did I have to study twice as hard as the average person to squeak by with a “C” or maybe a “B” if I was lucky?

Then, one day in high school while reading my Bible, I read about a man named Paul. Unlike me, Paul was an academic person.  Paul studied under a man named Gamaliel, one of the top scholars in all of Israel. 

As I read about Paul, it dawned on me that even after he became a Christian, his life was not easy.  In fact, it became harder.  When he shared his beliefs in Christ, he was ridiculed, stoned, beaten, ship wrecked, laughed at, and even imprisoned.  He struggled himself. 

I said to myself, “If this guy could keep going despite his incredible hardships, I could too.”  My understanding of Paul’s determination became the strength I needed to continue my academic struggle. 

I did make it through high school and enrolled for a post-graduate year at Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Va.  At Fork Union, I took another preparatory year of high school classes and played football at the same time.  This decision resulted in one of the best things that I could have done.  At Fork Union, I learned to discipline myself to be a good Soldier and student.  I learned how to study effectively.  

In an article written by Michael Moynihan, “How to Help Your Son When He Is Struggling Academically” (2013, September), he suggests a six-step program which helps a person become successful.[1]  

      1. Insist that your child use his assignment notebook.  Every day when your child gets home, check to see if he or she has assignments written down in this notebook. 
       2.  Prepare a quiet place for your child to do homework that is free from all distractions. 
       3.  Establish a study schedule for your child at home. 
       4.  Consider removing all video games from the home and greatly limiting computer and screen time in general.
       5.  Encourage your child to exercise and require him or her to do chores around the house.
       6.  Contact your child’s adviser or teacher to discuss a plan to help him or her improve.

These six steps remain good tools for those who continue their life-long pursuit of learning. In the end, I learned that struggling through adversity was the best class I could take.  I  was determined to earn an education despite all my struggles.

Through the grace of God and hard work, I graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, a Master of Divinity, a Master of Counseling, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

When I need inspiration and encouragement to learn and succeed in education, I often think of my favorite scripture verse; “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).   And friend, you can too!

[1] Retrieved from: http://www.heights.edu/reflections/how-to-help-when-your-son-is-struggling-academically/


 

It all about balance and self-discipline!

By Chaplain (Capt) Patrice Mbo, USAREC, 1st Brigade
April 21, 2014

One of the many challenges we face in recruiting is finding the right balance between performance and self-care. Let me share with you a verse from the Bible that I think can speak to us about this tension we all experience in one way or another:  

“Nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:15-16)

The "lamp" represents the recruiters, and "the light" is their passion to serve in the Army.  The verse required that such a light be shared with our communities so others can appreciate the honor to serve and can ultimately join the Army. This is a great mission that we perform every day with dedication. But at the same time it is very important that we find the right balance between performance and taking care of ourselves in order to stay focused on the mission and achieve our personal and professional goals.

You ask, “How do we do that?”  The answer is self-discipline.  Practicing self-discipline allows us to take care of our body, mind and soul. A German proverb says: “God gives the nuts but he does not crack them.” It is everyone’s responsibility to develop and maintain an appropriate physical, mental and spiritual fitness. Those three aspects of our well-being are not separated from one another. They are actually equally important. However, it takes self-disciplined commitment to sustain and make personal improvements.

First, establish a routine physical fitness plan and exercise.  This is crucial to keeping one’s body healthy and it helps prevent illness and reduce ill effects of stress.  Exercise will  also enable you to meet height and weight standards and pass the semiannual Army Physical Fitness Test. This is particularly important during a time when the Army is down-sizing. Furthermore, you’ll build stamina and have more energy for daily tasks and evening leisure.

Second, through mental fitness we gain a better awareness of our potential. We learn the tools to build strong coping skills. Mental fitness should be understood here as our intentional practice of self-awareness and the integration of such understanding into developing and maintaining healthy relationships. The practice of mental fitness is to develop a better sense of self as we learn how to recognize our assumptions, our strengths and limits. It could be done through self-education, but it is also effective when facilitated by a professional counselor, therapist, chaplain, etc., who could help us process our thoughts and feelings about ourselves and others in an objective manner.

Finally, when we invest in our spiritual fitness through the practice of our faith and philosophical view, we stimulate a better sense of hope and meaning that enables us to face our challenges in a more efficient way.

Soldiers and their families often get strength and comfort from their religious and spiritual resources. In fact, regardless of our backgrounds, we all approach our challenges with a lifetime of skills and beliefs. 

The practice of spiritual fitness is to focus upon connecting self with the spiritual beliefs, experiences, practices, and rituals, which enhance our resiliency skills and our feelings of peacefulness. Everyone is strongly encouraged to find what works best for him or her whether it is spiritual counseling, education, attendance to a particular faith community, or other spiritual tools.

Self-discipline of the body, mind and soul enables people to keep a sense of meaning and duty while serving in the Army. Though we may feel the natural stress of facing personal and professional challenges, we are reminded through self-discipline to develop the conditions for maintaining a better balance between performing and self-care.

     As we continue to work hard towards the mission of enlisting quality young men and women into the Army, we remain dedicated and professionals. Remember, it is all about balance and self-discipline!

 April 3, 2014

By Chaplain-Capt. Patrice Mbo, 1st Recruiting Brigade Chaplain

Yesterday we lost fellow Soldiers in the tragedy of another Fort Hood shooting. Because of the circumstances of their deaths, we are gripped with a range of emotions. The sadness over the loss of those who were killed in the line of duty, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, but could have never expected to face death in such circumstances.

There is so much we will never know about the reasons of such a cruel act. But what we do know is that in the aftermath of such a tragedy we come together as a family and we stand Army Strong and resilient in support of each other.

It is our duty to honor those who perished as well as it is to affirm the impact of their lives. Our hearts grieve the losses and we pray for their families. May we never forget their sacrifices, and do our duty towards them by learning lessons to protect the force and continue to faithfully live the Army Values.

For those who have been injured during this tragedy we pray for complete healing, body, mind and soul; we also pray for their families and for the military community. 

I leave you with the words of a song we have heard so often by bugle.  The words of "Taps" read:

"Day is done, gone the sun, from the lakes, from the hills, from the sky.

All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Then goodnight, peaceful night, till the light, of the dawn shineth bright,

God is near, do not fear, friend, Goodnight."