COMMENTARY
The Deployment Line
By Norris Burkes
Contributing Columnist
CBN.com
– (ChaplainNorris.com) -- There's a one-liner I often repeat - "Everyone yearns to go to heaven, but
no one wants to be the first in line to go there.
Military life is much the same way - most are willing to serve, but few want
to be first in line - especially a deployment line.
But this past weekend 25 National Guardsmen in my unit were called to line
up for the Mobilization Processing Line.
The "deployment line" is a one-stop shop consisting of rows of desks outlining
a large room. Each desk is manned by someone who will negotiate and approve
the last details of immunizations, wills, dog tags, medical or dental issues,
and personal problems.
Initially the talk is light as they begin checking dog tags and trade punches
on their freshly immunized arms. The line is full of good-natured complaints
about the upcoming flights, haircuts or the size of their duffel bags.
But the further down the line, the tasks become more serious. At a table
labeled "dependent care," a husband and wife seek approval of their childcare
plan, which leaves their three children with friends.
At the legal table, someone's son signs a will leaving possessions to his
mother. A power of attorney is also submitted so that dad will be able to
make the necessary healthcare decisions.
Adjacent to that table, a daughter verifies her address so that Casualty
Notification Teams can properly notify her only sister if she is wounded,
dead or missing.
At the last table, I sit with the Family Support Director and the squadron
recruiter. The recruiter hands out pride items bearing squadron emblems -
pencils, key rings, and calendars with a lot of fast jets. Moods lighten momentarily
as soldiers grab for the "cool stuff" and slap silly stickers on the back
of an unsuspecting comrade.
The Family Support table is full of coloring books depicting "Major Mom"
walking a jetway lined with flag-waving well-wishers. The Support Director
demonstrates the new videophones for two moms anxious to call their children.
In turn, the moms show the director pictures of newborns as another soldier
interjects a plea for someone to check on his pregnant wife.
As they come to me, I hand them a camouflage Bible and joke about listing
the soldiers' sins on their deployment approval sheet. But all jokes aside,
I'm the last guy who might be able to detour the troops from their mandatory
destination.
It is here that eyes moisten and faces harden as they hear me ask, "Sergeant
is there anything that would prevent you from going on this deployment?"
I ask this question because not everyone snaps a proverbial salute at the
receipt of his or her orders. It is possible that some are feeling a conscientious
objection to this action. Others may feel depressed or like they are in someway
a danger to themselves or others.
Still there may be some in line who had hoped to retire or just get out,
but the military says they perform such an essential job that they can't leave
unless by death they do part. The military calls this predicament a stop/loss
order and it brings the same excitement a draft notice brings an 18-year-old.
All reasons aside, 99% are ready to go. They ready themselves talking about
fate, or predestination, or some larger force outside themselves that moves
them to this point.
But, despite this philosophizing, there is still tons of stuff beneath their
camouflaged exterior. They are leaving families, homes, and jobs. Their psyche
is a mixing bowl for fear, pride, and bravado.
This coming week, Christians will honor that hour that Jesus too found himself
struggling with something he must do. The struggle took place in the Garden
of Gethsemane where, hoping that God might spare him from the crucifixion,
Jesus prayed "If it be your will, may this cup pass from me."
For these troops, this was their "Gethsemane moment." They come here to taste
the cup they must drink and do the job our leaders have decided needs to be
done, whether they agree or not.
And, for most of them, it will be this willingness to drink the "cup" that
will harden their resolve to both win this fight and to come home to those
they love.
For more information about Norris Burkes please log onto his website at
www.chaplainnorris.com.
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