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What is Required of Me?

[…]101 Become a person of influence; establish your credentials. Begin immediately to seek out leadership positions among your peers and subordinates in your workplace and neighborhood. You are a Christian with a Christian set of values, virtues, and obligations. You are called to live out your faith in a glorifying and obedient way. God’s Word outlines for us a personal morality in the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, and a public morality regarding our obedience to those in authority over us. Scripture also tells us that we have an obligation to be good news and to bring […]

God, are you with me?

[…]about what the Soldier had gone through—”how I imagined the story evolved.”     He had been facing adversity, it seemed, at every waking moment. Too many small failures. Too many wrong words—both said and heard. Too many long days of quiet compliance. Frustration had led him to a crossroads. Desperately, the Soldier pounded on the metal door of his locker with his fists. “God, are you with me?!” he angrily cried out. To his left and to his right the empty barracks echoed his plea. “Show me a sign. Please. Show me a sign. Answer me. Please. Answer me.” […]

Letter to My Sergeant

[…]respond to a soldier charged, then convicted, of such crimes? God allowed the eyes of my heart to see you through the filter of His love and to respond to you with the love and compassion of Christ. An ageless military axiom comes to mind — soldiers never leave their wounded or dead on the battlefield. These words apply here, and they have added urgency on the spiritual battlefield. You should know that your soul is just as precious to God as anyone’s, even after all you have done. It may be difficult to see now, but God is working […]

Ministry Snapshot

by Karen Fliedner, Managing Editor From ROTC to Retiree, this is ‘OCF for a lifetime’ The adage of a church not being a building, but rather its people also applies to the ministry of Officers’ Christian Fellowship. Click a story below to get a snapshot of the vast entirety of ministry work that has gone on over the years through OCF, now entering its seventy-second year. The people and stories featured here represent all those who have sacrificially given of their time, talents and treasure—standing on the shoulders of giants while declaring God’s “power to the next generation” (Psalm 71:18). […]

Members: Cast your vote now for OCF Council

[…]Eligible OCF members are encouraged to vote in the election. Members qualified to vote will need their voting ID (your OCF membership number, found on the address label of your September COMMAND magazine) and voting password (your ZIP code). Vote for as many as five candidates. Members who cannot/prefer not to vote online can contact Susan Wallis at the OCF home office for a hard copy ballot: (800) 424-1984 or [email protected]. Read more about each candidate below (listed in alphabetical order), or click here if you are ready to vote.   LtCol Hezekiah Barge, USMC  Education: Florida A&M, 1991, BS […]

Heroes

[…]soldiers and they will take care of you. Talk to them. Show interest in them. Take notes if you need to, but get to know your people personally. Soldiers don’t want you as a friend; they want you to be their leader. Train hard. Lives may depend on how hard you train your soldiers. Do a drill one extra time rather than one less time. Get to know your senior NCOs. These guys have seen and done it all–twice. Expect the best from them. Learn to work closely with them. Show yours soldiers you will do everything you ask them […]

How Should a Christian Live?

by COL Mike Tesdahl, USA (Ret.) This recent discussion, which took place online between a West Point Cadet and COL Mike Tesdahl, provides food for thought for young Christians as well as for those who are trying to be a resource. Letter From a Cadet (via email) To whom this may concern (I think it may be someone called Papa T?): I’m not really sure why I am writing this. Actually, as I write I am scratching my head wondering what I am doing, but I feel strangely led to do it, so here I am. I grew up in […]

OCF in Space

[…]a seven-month period in 2009-10, four — count ’em — four OCF members were in space, three of whom piloted consecutive Space Shuttle missions! In November 2009, CAPT Barry Wilmore, USN, flew Atlantis in an eleven-day mission where he and fellow crew members delivered critical spare parts to the International Space Station. And the ISS’s Expedition 22 Commander? OCF member COL Jeff Williams, USA, who was in space 167 days from September 2009 until the foillowing April. Endeavour‘s February 2010 mission, taking parts for an observation deck and a new room for the ISS, was piloted by Col Terry Virts […]

Two Greedy Institutions

[…]COL Al Shine, USA, Ret & COL Don Snider, USA, Ret. It was Thursday of a very intense and exciting week at White Sulphur Springs where we had been focusing on the role of the Christian officer (or officer-Christian) in his or her profession. Through Paul’s letter to the believers at Colossae, God challenges us that “just as we received Christ Jesus as Lord,” we are called to “continue to live in him.” This means that if we are military officers, we are to continue to live in Christ in the role of military officer. But we also have other […]

Leadership by Example

[…]be, and from that character what they must be able to do, to be successful in combat, to meet the officers’ obligations as warriors, as servants, as professionals and as leaders of character. Let me explain. In a few minutes, by swearing to the oath of office, you will assume the awesome responsibilities of your formal commission. The oath itself is simple and deliberately unconditional, a whole of five parts. In sequence you will swear: To support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. To bear truth, faith and allegiance to the same. […]

Leadership Q&A

by COL Doug Mastriano, USA Q: How do you strike a balance between being both an effective military officer and a bold witness for Christ?  A: The idea of balance between being an officer and a Christian hints at a bifurcation between the two. I do not believe that we should separate these. The Bible says to do all things as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:17). This means that your work as a military officer should be an extension of your faith. The output of your duties, as such, should be the best possible. The quality of your work and […]

What Works for New Officers?

by LTC J. Randy Carey, USA (Ret.) > PDF format 1. Seek FELLOWSHIP with other Christians. Without fellowship you become a lone ranger and are in danger of becoming extinct. Your light will go out. Seek a local OCF representative. (See your chaplain’s bulletin board.) TIP: Before you head to your first assignment, call OCF at 1-800-424-1984 so you can contact an officer who is an OCF member where you are going. 2. Do not forsake ACCOUNTABILITY. You are known by the company you keep. Find a brother or sister in Christ and keep each other walking the talk. Go […]

Colorado – Rocky Mountain ROTC

[…]USAF (Ret), Email: [email protected], Cell: (719)661-2442, Region: Includes ROTC locations between New Mexico State University, University of Texas-El Paso, University of Wyoming, University of Utah, and Texas Tech. Lt Col (Ret) Falconer introduces and mentors cadets and midshipmen in the OCF Ministry model to become servant leaders who integrate their faith and profession to take up the mantle of spiritual leadership within the military community. He also organizes an annual Rocky Mountain ROTC Retreat at Spring Canyon, OCF’s Retreat and Conference Center just west of Buena Vista, CO. He also seeks to find retired OCF members near universities in the […]

Double Portion

[…]such as “indispensable and irreplacable” when it comes to turnover in personnel or volunteers? Completion of God’s mission is not up for grabs or personality dependent. God’s mission is enduring and we, as leaders, might consider asking Him to provide replacements that possess a “double portion” to help carry out the mission He has given us to do. Copyrighted by Officers’ Christian Fellowship and Larry Simpson. For personal reflection and growth. Not for […]

For All Leaders

[…]to him” (James 1:5). Don’t miss out on this indispensable asset for your kit bag. We all need it! Make quiet reflection alone each day a priority. It allows you time to think, pray, read the Bible, and hear God speaking to you. Leadership requires time to think and plan. Your command is part of your ministry. Discipline yourself to have quiet times each day, no matter how busy you are. Be competent in your profession and give God the glory. David, one of the greatest warrior-leaders of all time, provides us an outstanding example in Psalm 144:1, “Praise be […]

Getting Intentional in Your Marriage

[…]another. Christian military marriages thrive when couples purposely: Open the dialogue box-and keep it open Seek to understand your wife or husband’s need, goal, or point of view Commit to caring for the other’s concerns Catch, pray for, and cooperate with God’s vision Serve each other with proper motives Following an interactive session, a young spouse asked us, “So how do you grow together spiritually?” Our response was to start with these basics of good communication: Routine spiritual pulse check. Safeguard from serving on an empty tank. Weekly calendar merge. Share, know, and be involved with what each other is […]

Leadership without Coercion

[…]drill sergeant who reacted to my statement. He was not a Christian, and he decided to watch me to see if I lived up to my words. That’s the scary part of identifying yourself as a Christian-you put yourself on display. This was one of our best NCOs. We eventually sent him to be an instructor at the drill sergeant academy, a reward for and testimony to his character and performance. Three years later we had both moved on to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. When he heard that I was on post, he sought me out. He said, “Sir, I […]

Mortal Enemies

[…]Field, and the other installations surrounding Honolulu. Viewing the entire American Pacific Fleet peacefully at anchor in the inlet below, I smiled as I ordered, “All squadrons, plunge in to attack!” The time was 7:49 a.m. Like a hurricane out of nowhere, my torpedo planes, dive-bombers, and fighters struck with indescribable fury. As smoke began to billow and the proud battleships started tilting, my heart was almost ablaze with joy. During the next three hours I directly commanded the fifty level bombers as they pelted Pearl Harbor and the area nearby. Then I circled at a higher altitude to accurately […]

OCF and Leadership

[…]studies. We can’t even claim it as a distinctive: small groups are endemic now, and they have been a part of the Christian Church since around 30 AD. So what about our niche? Leadership. We encourage and equip officers to minister effectively in the military society. Why officers? Because officers are commissioned to lead, and they need to use that leadership in a biblical way. They lead biblically in their homes, in their units, and in the Christian community of their installation. The small group Bible study is our primary tool for this encouraging and equipping. One of our OCF […]

On The Rock

[…]into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). I think that deep down inside most of us generally have a sense of how to respond to adversity and challenging circumstances. So the question isn’t “What should I do?” but “How will I choose to respond?” Will you succumb to the demands of the event or will your response come from the foundation of your spiritual life? Jesus said that everyone who hears and acts on His words is wise. That wise one will be the person all eyes turn to in the […]

Preparing for Active Duty

[…](2 Timothy 2:2). Since an Air Force officer may pass through Maxwell as many as four times in a career, OCF leaders here thought it would be good to personally visit each Academy graduating class and let the “firsties” know what to expect from OCF at Maxwell. I was asked to speak to three issues: What should cadets expect from OCF during an Air Force career? What specifically does the OCF ministry at Maxwell AFB look like? And, What is the best way to link up with a military chapel/local church while progressing through Air Force assignments? I began my […]

Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

[…]family, responsibilities that will increase with continuing promotions. “Senior Officer” may seem an ambiguous term. We have chosen to define it starting at the rank of lieutenant colonel or commander because of the command opportunities and decision-making positions available to officers of such rank. We expect your new experiences will be similar to all those who have gone before you. The increased expectations placed upon you will be manifested in more independent decision making and in broader and deeper organizational or command responsibilities. The issues you will identify and address will be increasingly complex and difficult. The environment in which […]
Read more » Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

Project Help Afghanistan

[…]the Bonnie Hunt show talking about his participation in an Afghanistan outreach. OCF member Bob Teetsel, who had been the subject of an outreach-while-deployed article in the March 2008 Connected, saw a picture of OCF member CH(CPT) Steve Satterfield in the October 2009 CONNECTED, at an outreach in Afghanistan. COL Teetsel contacted CH Satterfield and Operation Iraqi Children (OIC), which was established by Sinise, School supplies, clothes, shoes, etc., were sent to Afghanistan. SPC William Seo, an OCFer who started Project Help Afghanistan while deployed, was sent those supplies and he invited Sinise to be a part of the distribution. […]

Question Authority

[…]one might question whether Job deserved to suffer and, if he did, should he at least have been given insight as to why. As we strive to live out our faith in our profession, the study of Job prompts a few thoughts to consider: Can we trust God emotionally when our circumstances demand justice? In my lack of discernment of how God is working, can I question the fairness of what He allows? What should my response be to trials I do not understand? Job’s response was to question God. One might conclude that Job got wrapped up in matters […]

Reality Check

[…]desire of the children of Israel, returning home after seventy years of exile, was to see the temple rebuilt. As far as Israel was concerned, restoration of the temple was job one-a goal which the governmental heads and the spiritual leadership were willing to cooperate to achieve. Despite man’s best intentions and even focused passion, we are reminded that God has a divine perspective: not by might, nor by power, but by His power. So where do we, in our leadership zeal, draw the line when it comes to pushing our own agenda or totally acquiescing to God’s divine plan? […]

Reignited Service

[…]apprehension, alarm, or dread? Whatever your definition, that is the side of 2 Timothy 1:7 you need to address. My synonym for fear is anxious. I think I fear little, but I admit that I can get anxious about a thing or two. As recently as yesterday, I became anxious over an issue. Then I read 2 Timothy 1:1-14 for a full appreciation of Paul’s response to Timothy’s fear. Paul acknowledged that Timothy’s “sincere faith” (verse 5) was in need of a fresh rekindling (verse 6). God reminded me that dwelling within me is the antidote to fear, which is […]

Satisfaction

[…]a chance to point others to Jesus. There is much we can learn from this encounter! The leader keeps in the forefront why he is doing what he is called to do. Jesus responded to the woman’s initial rejection with a persistent offer. Not offended, nor hardened by rejection, the leader keeps to the task. The leader removes barriers for the good of the one in need. Jesus gave the woman the opportunity to confess her past mistakes. He did so without assigning condemnation or judgment. The leader’s satisfaction comes in doing what he is called to do. When the […]

Six Generations: 1

[…]others…and if called to do so, dying for others. While on earth, believers want to seek first His Kingdom, to be a disciple and to help others become disciples. When those are our priorities, all other necessary and needful things in life are generously provided (see John 16:33). But when other things push God and His priorities aside, then one’s perspective becomes temporal and shallow–well-meaning as it may be. When compared to an eternal perspective on life, all other perspectives simply pale and fade into insignificance. Jon Shine’s perspective on life was eternal. He surely thought and felt earthly, temporal, […]

Six Generations: 2

[…]a situation that was easily tolerated by the members of Company G-1, though it could have been viewed by some as fraternization. There was never any pressure to participate and Jon’s leading of these Bible study groups was personable yet scholarly and professional…and after duty hours. It would have been hard for anyone to find anything worth criticizing in the arrangement. The group usually met once during the week, in the evening, down in the basement of the cadet barracks where the quiet atmosphere supported a discrete study of the Bible. Participants, including members of the company other than Plebes, […]

Six Generations: 3

[…]enemy positions, thus allowing his men to move to cover.” His words to “Doc” Jackson seem clearly intended to keep “Doc” and the other platoon members focused on Joe Roberts for the few moments that he engaged the enemy. Jon, thinking only about his men and acting on their behalf, perished when the enemy returned his fire. When word of the fight reached back to Cu Chi base camp, an incredible thing happened. The battalion scout platoon was just back from an operation for rest and recuperation. Their leader was a close friend of Jon and a West Point classmate […]

Some Thoughts for Christians

by COL Al Shine, USA, Retired What is the relationship between Christians and politics? What are our duties as citizens, first of the Kingdom of God, and secondarily, but not unimportantly, as representatives of that Kingdom to and among the kingdoms of men? After studying Scripture, history, and current events, my conclusion is that God is neither Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative. I believe that in most elections and issues of political policy there is no clear-cut biblically Christian position, and to assume that there is: Divides the church along lines for which we have no biblical mandate, Closes […]

Starting an OCF Small Group Fellowship

[…]words. Here are a few things, besides your valuable initiative, to consider: Before the First Meeting 1. Find a wingman. It may be your spouse or another couple if you are thinking of a home Bible study. Find a like-minded Christian co-worker for a workplace study. 2. Pray about starting a group, about who to invite, what to study, where to meet, time/place, etc. Let the Holy Spirit speak before launching on your own strength. 3. Invite initial participants. Face-to-face invitations work best. Using flyers, bulletin board announcements, or e-mail works better after you have an established group going. 4. […]

The Heartbeat of OCF

[…]every one of us can find a wingman to pray with about starting an OCF group.  Once you have a meeting day/time set up, you’re ready for the next step. If the group consists mostly of peers (age/rank/job location, etc.) or specific demographics (sex/marital status/retired, etc.), you should be well attuned to needs and preferences.  Check the OCF website home page for Small Group Resources and click on Leading Small Groups for an article with excellent advice by Jon Harris. Topics include prayer, Bible study, relationships and preparation to lead.  A downloadable PDF and other related articles are also available. […]

The Role of the Chaplain

[…]Col) David Bena, USAF What should you expect from your chaplains? The role of the chaplain is to meet spiritual needs. The chaplain should lead worship, counsel, teach troops, care pastorally for all, encourage ethical conduct, honor the dead, nurture the wounded, and give hope to the weary. But how’s that role fleshed out? I think you should expect a godly person who: Is honest and ethical Really cares about the people in the unit, willing to face opposition in order to make their lot more livable. Will die with you and will not run away. Will pray for and […]

The View from the Top

[…]delighted to discover it wasn’t that tough. The guides’ encouragement was more than enough to keep me motivated. On day one we tackled the vertical wall climb, mine field, and low rope exercises — both with and without blindfolds. In addition to being great fun, they helped us with team building. The following day we climbed up steep rock walls and rappelled down even steeper cliffs. What an adventure — exhilarating and exhausting. Once you’ve rappelled down an 80-foot vertical cliff, you feel like you can do anything. Next we conquered Mount Yale — one of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks. We […]

Three Looks

[…]in our capacity to lead—how can we best prepare for our next leadership role? I offer you three “looks.” Look Back Taking a reflective pit stop is critical, especially at our Indy 500 pace. “Experience is the best teacher” is a common, but incorrect, adage. Leadership experts now attest that evaluated experience is the best teacher. Here are a few questions to consider before you move to from one leadership role to the next: What went extremely well, and what was your part in making it go well? (What were you routinely complimented on by your superiors, peers, or subordinates?) […]

Three Words

[…]MacArthur was to receive the Thayer Award. We knew we were in the presence of history. We were seeing and hearing one of the greatest soldiers of all time in what was his last visit to the alma mater he loved. You have most likely heard or read the speech, or at least this part of it: “Duty, honor, country. These three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” Duty, honor, country. These are indeed words to live by. It is my hope, prayer, and expectation that they will mark […]

Truth and the Christian Leader

[…]the bedrock for the church and our Christian faith. Those endowed with leadership responsibility needed to set and safeguard ethical standards. Many are shocked at the decisive, harsh response to the couple’s duplicity. Yet neither Peter nor the disciples brought about this speedy demise. They lied to the Spirit of the Lord. He acted as He saw fit. How might the Christian leader apply the lesson of Ananias and Sapphira to the work place? I can recall saying or hearing others say: “I have to make an example of this one.” Why is it necessary for a leader to take […]

TTP – Character

[…]reverse is not usually true. Integrity is the foundation of our character; those around us must see it in both our personal and professional walk. In his book Taking Charge, author P.M. Smith tells the story of Babe Didrikson-Zaharias, a professional golfer who, during the middle of a golf tournament, noticed that she had accidentally played the wrong ball. No one else was aware of the mistake. When the round was over, in accordance with the rules, she penalized herself two strokes. When asked why she did it, she replied, “Because I would have known.” It is this type of […]

Undivided Heart

[…]you ever hesitant or uncertain about how to respond to situations? Are you inclined to give a knee-jerk reaction or are your responses more often guided by the Lord’s true wisdom? Do you experience compassion-level fluctuations, that is, sometimes your actions reflect spiritual wisdom and at other times seem void of anything resembling those guided by the Holy Spirit? At the heart of these queries is the consideration of the root of one’s conscious choices (actions). Our options are to allow the “spiritual self” or the “old nature” to dictate our decisions. David asked that he would know God’s ways […]

Unity of Command

by Col Ren Vandesteeg, USAF (Ret.) Do the military principles of war apply to Christian living? When I learned these principles in Air War College, I found all of them in the Bible. Later I applied them to Christian living. The military definition of Unity of Command (UOC) is: “For every objective, one person is responsible for war-fighting decisions.” 1 Our military has a Commander-In-Chief (CINC), the President of the United States. As CINC, he is ultimately responsible for war-fighting decisions. However, he does not personally make all war-fighting decisions. He delegates decision-making down through the chain of command; this […]

Was it Failure or Success?

[…]me, Luke 5:5 is a curious object lesson. On the one hand, Peter, a skilled fisherman, could have been insulted that Jesus asked him to demonstrate once more what he had repeatedly failed at throughout the night. On the other hand, Jesus allowed him the opportunity to demonstrate faith and trust. One might ask: Did Simon really fail, or was his unproductive fishing tied to Christ’s master plan and call? I would think the latter. What can we draw from this from a leadership perspective? Recognize that God has a master plan. Failure is a part of living. As leaders, […]

What Are You Reading?

[…]imperative that senior leaders make time to read. One area of study and practice that has always been important to me is the topic of leadership. I have an entire bookshelf devoted to the subject. Many of the books are dog-eared, highlighted, and well worn from frequent review. All have influenced my understanding and practice of the art and science of leadership. In more recent years I have become increasingly interested in the topic of Christian servant leadership. I believe there are at least three reasons why few servant leaders exist. First, most leaders do not spend sufficient time studying […]

2018 OCF/VALOR ROTC Retreat

ABOUT: Join ROTC Units from leading eastern universities as they come together to deepen their faith and answer The Call of Jesus for Military Leaders. Our speaker is Col Darren Duke, USMC. Discussions will be facilitated by a Junior Officer Panel and a Senior NCO Panel. White Sulphur Springs is beautiful in the winter. You can look forward to outdoor actives such as hiking, ice skating (weather permitting) as well as climbing wall, an ice cream social or just sitting by the fire with time to read your Bible. COST: $95 Cadet/Midshipman, $176 Single adult, $310 Cadre couple (10% discount […]

Hawaii – Honolulu

[…]808-673-1574. Additional Information: Can provide an overnight stay AND a meal. We are able to host a single family but have limited space for pets. Located in a military housing area with open […]

Oklahoma – Area Coordinator for Central Oklahoma, Southern Kansas and Northern Texas

[…]region with a fellowship! From ROTC cadets/midshipman to retired families like mine, we all NEED to be engaged in Christian fellowship in order to grow closer to Him, to be better leaders, better family members and resilient […]
Read more » Oklahoma – Area Coordinator for Central Oklahoma, Southern Kansas and Northern Texas

Texas – Texas A&M University and College Station

ROTC Contact: COL Pat & Heather Seiber, USA (Ret) Email: [email protected] Phone: (979) 255-8981 OCF contacts are available to provide local information. We love providing a little bit of a “home away from home” for Texas A&M Cadets – particularly […]
Read more » Texas – Texas A&M University and College Station

Virginia – Woodbridge

[…]individuals. We welcome children, but please note that ours is not a baby-safe home. Pets will need to be crated or kept in a carrier for some portions of the day. We are also OCF Bible study contacts and leaders; you’re welcome to join us. Contact us for directions and more […]

South Carolina – Lancaster

[…]within 65 miles of Shaw AFB and Ft. Jackson. Our home is not easily accessible for handicap requirements. If have a dog, if you have allergies. We prefer not to host animals but will consider kenneling in the garage/patio for extenuating […]

Florida – Orlando

[…]We can provide a meal and overnight stays for 4 singles or a family of up to 8.  We have 3 queen beds, 2 twin beds, and a crib. Our home is only 20 minutes from popular attractions. No pets, please, as we already have two cats and a […]

Kentucky – Fort Knox

[…]We welcome you as our guest for a meal or an overnight stay. We can host up to four guests between a spare bedroom upstairs and an air mattresses downstairs. We have two dogs who love all humans and can support hosting pets with some prior […]

Utah – Hill AFB

[…]up to 6 guests for a meal and/or an overnight stay. We are just east of Hill AFB in Mountain Green, UT. Please note that we have two German Shepherd dogs and three […]
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