Thankful: Military Heroes by Joseph McGowan, former student, Intern and Program Director

I Got this out of the TeenPact Newsletter,


Thankful: Military Heroes by Joseph McGowan, former student, Intern and Program Director

The sun sat high in the sky unchallenged by even the slightest hint of a cloud. It was hot, but not to the point that I was sweating. The concrete rooftop I was lying on was warm, and through my gloved hands, I could only imagine how hot the metal on my rifle was. Helicopters flew low overhead, watching the market place that my perch put me right above. Soldiers mingled with the Iraqi people below and down the road, big, green, armored vehicles sat defiantly in the road, daring someone to make a move. I squinted as I put the scope of my rifle up to my face to scan the area around those vehicles, watching for any sudden movement of a person getting ready to attack. The steady murmur of people and vehicles was interrupted by the sound of gunfire. Within seconds, crowds of screaming people were running for cover as the heavy machine guns on our vehicles drowned out the smaller reports of the infantryman's rifles. I could see what they were firing at, but my job wasn't to engage targets already being taken care of. My commander crackled over the radio, saying my call sign, asking for a report on what was going on. I picked up the radio, shouting out commands to my team stationed just below me. I took a deep breath to calm my beating heart and tried to speak confidently and clearly into the radio, my voice wavering slightly as the adrenaline and fear gripped my tongue. But this was important. I paused for second, and then spoke again in a confident clear voice. I had a job to do.This was one day of many like it during my recent tour in Iraq. But I wasn't always like this, taking charge, confidently speaking to my superiors. No, a few years ago I was a shy and quiet fifteen-year-old boy walking hesitantly into my capital's rotunda, ready to start my first day of my first TeenPact class. I wore braces, and glasses, thought I was too skinny, and knew that I wasn't the most graceful swan in the lake. Basically, I lacked confidence as many of us do in our early teenage years. But that day was the first day of five years being involved with TeenPact (2001-2006). I attended as a student and eventually worked for TeenPact as a program director for two years. But how does TeenPact relate to combat?
L to R: Joseph in Iraq (2008-2009, Joseph as Program Director (2005-2006), Joseph as an Intern (2004)It relates through me. Right after I was done working for TeenPact I began taking college classes online and enlisted into the Army National Guard. Here I worked hard and made it to the rank of sergeant, and was given a sniper team under my command. When I left TeenPact, I took with me years of growth, development, and an innate curiosity to learn and a desire for excellence. God used TeenPact to develop skills in me that He knew I needed in the next chapter of my life. During my days in TeenPact, I was put in charge of groups of young adults, sometimes counseling them with problems they were having, was required to speak in public, interacted with everyone from siblings of students to high ranking government officials, had to make decisions quickly, and personify confidence no matter what, even if I didn't feel it all the time. While the streets of Iraq were far from the marble and granite halls of the average state capital building, the skills developed through TeenPact were still very much applicable. Here I was, in charge of a team of people, in charge of their welfare and even counseling them about problems they were having, had to give briefings in front of groups of people, interacted with everyone from Iraqi children to high-ranking army officers, was looked at to make decisions quickly, and personify confidence in every situation regardless how I felt at the time. I had traded a suit and tie for body armor and boots, had traded a schedule and ballpoint pen for a rifle and a pistol, and traded the stresses of leading a class for the stresses of leading men into combat. But still the skills remained the same. That first day of my first TeenPact class, if you told me that I would be leading them in a couple of years, I would have said that you were crazy. And I would have said something similar if you had told me that I would one day be a sniper team leader in Iraq. But God knows what He is doing and places us in situations so that we can learn, be stretched, and grow preparing us for what He has next. He is going to give you the opportunities. It is up to you to take a step of faith. You never know where your journey is going to take you. Where God is going to take you.

Hope you enjoyed this, Comments please.
Zach, Formerly Officer Phillips

ALL THE WAY

STORM-E

STORM-E got her warpaint on...

First Officer Stansbury

Gentlemen,

I hope you have all adjusted to your normal schedules. I would request that all of you who read this post send me your contact information my email address adventureboy93@msn.com . To Ferrariman1 (Dan) and Steven Boyd I am sorry to say I LOST your emails (don't ask me how). To Mike Powers, HOW ON EARTH do add you as a follower when "Blog of the Irish" doesn't have a "follow me" link. Any way I will later post a short rant I did against government spending be on the lookout.

Zach

formerly Officer Phillips

Men,
I am still recuperating from the two camps. Therefore this note will be brief. This site will be a landing zone for comments about the 2009 Challenge Basic and Extreme events. Please post images, memories, contact info.God needs you all to stay in touch with each other. We men of God need to encourage one another to maintain and grow in the power that God has given you. Share your fondest memories. Be as detailed as you want. Share lessons learned. Share spiritual aplicatio to you lifeback home. Tell of how the Challenge experience has changed you. Tell of stories that your family has noticed how you are different...I thank God for the Dads that involved themselves in the mentoring of the Challenge recruits and specialists. I thank God for the staff that committed to the spiritual development of the recruits and specialists.I thank God for the recruits and specialist that went ALL THE WAY for the glory of God!I will be in touch in the near future. 15-22 October I will be engaged with the International Sniper Competition. Contact me if you want to be involved with this.

First Officer Stansbury



PS. To post your information use this post and click "post comment" and follow the directions.

Men...Check your packing list!

Details, details!

Please double check the packing list & be sure to bring a tarp that will cover you and your gear.
See you on the 28th!

Challenge Hat

This is the challenge hat. It is black with the challenge logo on the front. You can buy black and Olive Drab name tapes for the back. Price is 20.00, purchasing deadline is (Sept. 23)
See below posts for purchasing info.

Officer Phillips

Challenge '08 Officer Phillips

This is me, Officer Phillips. I am shooting an M-16 with someone from the AMU (Army Marksmanship Unit) instructing me. This picture is from Challenge Basic '08.

1st Timothy 4:8,
Officer Phillips

Blast From the Past '07

Okay, where to start here. The guy with First Officer Stansbury stepping on him is Officer Schmit, He is a real tough guy from Wyoming. This picture was taken at challenge extreme 2007.

Officer Phillips

P.S. C'mon guys post some comments on these posts with photos, I want to know what you think.

PURCHASE 2009 T-SHIRTS

Extreme '09


Basic '09





Men,


For the FIRST TIME EVER Challenge tee shirts and Hats are available for purchase. Usually only issued to Staff Members and Specialists, now you, the readers of this blog can purchase these. Your purchase will help offset the costs of Challenge. However, Order deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 23rd less than one week from today. Specify shirt size(s) when making payment.

Cost: $15.00 per t-shirt
$20.00 per cap

Payment: Payment is needed at the time of ordering. The deadline is firm - NO EXCEPTIONS.
I prefer paypal -mailto:stanfam4@gmail.com but will accept a check if you do not have paypal. Remember, specify shirt size(s) when making payment.
Email mailto: mailto: bruce.stansbury@gmail.com to make payment arrangements if needed.

First Officer Stansbury
Officer Phillips

Galatians 5:1- It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

P.S. If you cant see the shirts clearly use the little magnifying glass in the bottom right corner of your web browser.

This is First Officer Stansbury, He knows more about Challenge than anyone else I know.
He is a Dedicated Motivated Christian and First Officer.

Officer Phillips

Blast From the Past Challenge Basic '07

This is your Executive Officer Joseph Schalchlin. He is a great guy dedicated in his service to the Lord first and foremost and also to Challenge

Pt Instruction: Lunge

Officer Alasu demonstrating Lunges.

Officer Phillips

Pt Instruction: Tricep Pushups

Officer Alasu demonstrating Tricep Pushups.

Officer Phillips

PT Instruction: Up-down

Officer Alasu demonstrating Up-Downs.

Officer Phillips

PT Instruction: Leg Lever

Officer Alasu Demonstrating the Leg Lever.

Officer Phillips

PT Instruction: Jumping Jacks

Officer Alasu is now demonstrating the Jumping Jack or"side straddle hop.

Officer Phillips

PT Instruction: Regular Pushup

This is your PT instructor, Officer Alasu demonstrating the "regular pushup"

Officer Phillips

Counting Down the Days

Men,
D-Day is almost here, for those of you who are attending Basic there is 32 days left. For those attending Extreme only there are 44 days left. My advice to you is to follow the Challenge orders TO THE LETTER for example if they say !!!JUMP!!! you say "how high" on the way up. Starting from the minute you read this post you are to be HYDRATING, 4 qt every day. If you are doing PT you need to drink 2 pints of water each time you exercise in addition to the day's quota. PT requirements are as follows: be able to run a mile in 10 min or less, 40 push ups in 2 min or less and also 5o sit ups in 2 min or less. It is IMPERATIVE that you can meet and exceed these requirements if you can't the staff team will notice. So I leave you with this verse: Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1: 27b


Officer Phillips

More Info on Extreme Date Changes

Men,

If your attending both Basic and Extreme and your mothers are saying this: "*OHNOIHAVETOPAYFORAHOTELWHOISGOINGTOTAKECAREOFMYLITTLEBOYINBETWEENEVENTS AHHHHHHHHHHH". Then you need the new info from Officer Stansbury. You, readers of the Challenge Blog can tell your worried Mother, never fear,because for the exact amount of $80.00 Officer Stansbury has lodging and food lined up. Plus the four days that are in between events, (Oct. 4,5,6,7) (extreme starts on the 7th The students will be under the care of the Staff team, and they will be doing something productive.

Proverbs 17:17, A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.

Officer Phillips

* Translation: Oh no now I have to pay for a hotel and who will take care of my little boy if I am not around to in between events.

New Challenge Extreme Dates

Men,

I have an update from First Officer Stansbury and Executive Officer Schalchlin. There has been a date change for TeenPact Challenge Extreme The new dates are October 7th-12th. We apologise for any hardship this may cause you in travel (i.e. you have already booked tickets and will have to reschedule.) If you have any questions email the executive officer at tpchallenge@gmail.com .

In Him,

Officer Phillips

Challenge Dates and Events

Men,
There will be two Challenge dates this year, Basic '09 September 28-October 3. And Extreme which will be from October 5-10. Both events will be held on Fort Benning, Georgia home of the Army Rangers. Come join us this year for an exciting program that will try, test and show you how much you MUST depend on God. If you have questions contact the First Officer at tpchallenge@gmail.com.

Proverbs 17:17. A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.

JESUS LEADS THE WAY

Officer Phillips

Welcome

Welcome to the TeenPact Challenge Blog. This site is under construction, please check back over the next few weeks for updates.

Thank you,

Officer Phillips