It has been my privilege to be a member of the United States Service Command since April of 2005. I first met our Commander, General Howe, though Pastor Rick Sowell in the summer of 2004 when he came through Toledo, Ohio. We spent some time that day discussing the USSC and its mission, and a few weeks later I received my paper work to apply for admission. Some months later, when the USSC board met in the spring of 2005, I was approved and the rank of Captain was bestowed upon me.

In November 2005, General Howe came to our church to speak in our annual Veteran's Day Program. On Monday he and I traveled to Lansing, Michigan where I was installed as the Chaplain of the Lansing MEPS. I have enjoyed a great relationship with all the personnel at the center, especially the military people who are used to a "chaplain" and look forward to my bi-monthly visits. (Just a note: Probably about 95% of the civilians working there are retired veterans or served in the military.)
Our Chief of Chaplain's is General Ron Tottingham of Sioux Falls, SD where he served as Pastor of Empire Baptist Temple for 33 years. In 1962, he joined the Marines and served with the 3rd Reconnaissance Btn and C Co/1st Btn/4th Reg, as a machine gunner in Vietnam. He served for 6 years, 25 months of it being in combat. He was commissioned in 1983 as a major in the Air Force Auxillary Civil Air Patrol, serving as a chaplain. He has, in some fashion, served our nation in this manner since then. More can be read of his accomplishments at Dr. Ron Tottingham.

In the fall of 2007, I met Colonel Johnson, who at that time was Commander of the 380th Cadet Wing at M.S.U. He inquired into my interest in helping as a Chaplain to the Cadets (The cadets have never had a Chaplain). I assured him that I would do whatever I could. He invited me over to Michigan State University to met some of the Cadets and to get a first hand tour of what the Cadet program was all about. I was invited to attend the fall dining-in and the spring dining-out. If you have never been to one, you have missed a great time! (Of course that does not include the "grog-bowl." You would have to be there to understand the blessing of not having to participate in that!)[As of this date, June 2009, Col. Johnson has a new assignment and this ministry is on hold.]

I usually make the rounds to each office and visit a few minutes if they are not to busy to do so. I also visit all the service counsellors (Here is where the recruits learn about their career and finish up their enlistment paperwork.) I usually hold a Bible study for about 30 minutes or so, allowing for questions if there are any. I am also available for counseling or advice if it is needed. I do not usually have any contact with the recruits as my duties are to those who work at the center. I have been asked a couple of times to talk with a recruit, but it is not my duty as most of them are not in the military until just minutes before they leave for their boot camp.

Free Literature Rack for the recruits and MEPS employees.

To the left is a picture of the recently (August 2009) installed Free Literature rack. The 1stSgt made room in the cafeteria right next to the main door where all the recruits will eventually pass by. Col Tyler Ryberg (Ret. USMC) and the folks at Worldwide Military Baptist Missions have graciously supplied us with marked New Testaments and two different tracts. I will be adding a couple more later on. Pray that God will greatly use this media for our young men and women going into the military. As some might know, the Gideon's have been forbidden to pass out New Testaments at the MEPS, so maybe this is God's way of getting the message into the hands and hearts of our troops.

Here are a few pictures of some activities I've been involved in as a USSC Chaplain.

1stSgt Rebecca Jackson's Retirement (2006) and LCDR. Cummings	Retirement Of CDR Leonard Borgdorff (2009) Grand Rapids, MI.
Col. Johnson; Ret. MCPO V. Adam; Myself; Rep. J. Sheltrown; Gen. Howe	My son Joel's boot camp graduation day - March 2007.
Senior CPO Rick Canfield's Retirement - 2006	Annual Appreciation Day / 1stSgt Gipson, LCDR Cummings
2008 Veteran's Day Service - 1stSgt Gipson	Retirement of LCDR Vicky Cummings - June 15, 2009
Certificate of Appreciation From Bible Baptist Church	Previous Commander Captain Mulvaney
LCDR Rodriguez, our present Commander - Dec. 10th, 2009	Vet's Memorial service with Retired MCPO Vern Adams - Fairview, MI.
Col. Price, previous Eastern Sec. Commander	1st Sgt Gipson at her C.O.R. - Presentation of appreciation from the church.
Col. Garlick, Eastern Sec. Commander at 1st Sgt Gipson's COR	1st Sgt Hunter, our new First Shirt - June 2010.
2010 Organizational Day	2010 Organizational Day