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It's Official
Feb. 3rd, 2011 11:55 pmLance re-enlisted today. We are moving to Ft. Stewart Georgia in August. Until then, I'll be staying here in Cincinnati. More news as it comes.
Moving Paperwork
Jun. 24th, 2010 09:12 amSo I did the medical screening that the Army wants. I sent it to the local screening facility. They looked over it and called me back. Because I'm on Welbutrin XL I had to have my mental health screening re-done to reflect some sort of diagnoses. My doctor hadn't put anything down because it is situational depression expected to completely clear itself as soon as I'm with Lance and settled in.
So I take the paperwork back to my doctor and have the two pages re-done. Then I faxed them a copy and mailed the originals Priority Mail. This was last Monday.
I called yesterday to see if they received the papers and what the status of the forms that need to go on are. Basically, the woman I talked to doesn't know anything because she isn't part of the actual screening process...that's done by a doctor and a nurse. She did give me the phone number for the nurse.
Called the nurse and the paperwork was sent to Germany Friday, so now it's just a matter of waiting for it to come down from Heidelberg to Mannheim (which is only a 45 minute drive...) after it's been approved. I've been told it can take up to 30 business days to do that, but I'm praying it doesn't take that long. I'm going to burn some candles and stuff.
So I take the paperwork back to my doctor and have the two pages re-done. Then I faxed them a copy and mailed the originals Priority Mail. This was last Monday.
I called yesterday to see if they received the papers and what the status of the forms that need to go on are. Basically, the woman I talked to doesn't know anything because she isn't part of the actual screening process...that's done by a doctor and a nurse. She did give me the phone number for the nurse.
Called the nurse and the paperwork was sent to Germany Friday, so now it's just a matter of waiting for it to come down from Heidelberg to Mannheim (which is only a 45 minute drive...) after it's been approved. I've been told it can take up to 30 business days to do that, but I'm praying it doesn't take that long. I'm going to burn some candles and stuff.
This book slips into what may seem to be a small niche in the realm of Pagan texts. But the number of Pagans in the US Armed Forces is steadily growing and including those who are not willing to be known, is quite large. A text of this nature has been sadly lacking for years.
I have known a number of military Pagans in my life. I currently know roughly a dozen Pagan or Pagan-leaning soldiers. As I read this book, I was struck by how many of their opinions and thoughts I saw echoed on the page. All of them long for peace; all of them struggle with the role of the Warrior in a society that neither respects it nor understands it. This book outlined some very moving rituals that could be easily adapted. It had excellent suggestions for how to maintain and grow your faith in the face of uncertainty. Included were ideas on making a *tiny* travel altar (think altoid box), rituals to prepare yourself for battle and to heal yourself afterwards.
This book is largely aimed towards active-duty Pagans. Beyond that, it is also geared towards married soldiers with children rather than single soldiers. I believe this is due to the viewpoint of the author, her being the wife of a military Pagan with children. Most of the rituals could still be performed with the help of a close friend. And the magickal items created by some of the spells could be made with a close band of friends; home is after all, where you make it.
It contains an excellent run-down of the rights of a military Pagan both in dealing with the civilian world and the military one. It also has some excellent suggestions of things to consider before enlisting or re-enlisting.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any Pagan who is in the military or considering joining. I'm not sure it would be as useful for the veteran, but some of the rituals and discussions of the role of the Warrior could prove useful fodder for thought and conversation.
I have known a number of military Pagans in my life. I currently know roughly a dozen Pagan or Pagan-leaning soldiers. As I read this book, I was struck by how many of their opinions and thoughts I saw echoed on the page. All of them long for peace; all of them struggle with the role of the Warrior in a society that neither respects it nor understands it. This book outlined some very moving rituals that could be easily adapted. It had excellent suggestions for how to maintain and grow your faith in the face of uncertainty. Included were ideas on making a *tiny* travel altar (think altoid box), rituals to prepare yourself for battle and to heal yourself afterwards.
This book is largely aimed towards active-duty Pagans. Beyond that, it is also geared towards married soldiers with children rather than single soldiers. I believe this is due to the viewpoint of the author, her being the wife of a military Pagan with children. Most of the rituals could still be performed with the help of a close friend. And the magickal items created by some of the spells could be made with a close band of friends; home is after all, where you make it.
It contains an excellent run-down of the rights of a military Pagan both in dealing with the civilian world and the military one. It also has some excellent suggestions of things to consider before enlisting or re-enlisting.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any Pagan who is in the military or considering joining. I'm not sure it would be as useful for the veteran, but some of the rituals and discussions of the role of the Warrior could prove useful fodder for thought and conversation.
