Mom Graduates from Law School

Yes, you read that title correctly. My mom graduated from law school. Can you believe it? At the age of 50...um...something- I dare not reveal her age- graduated from the Charleston School of Law (CSOL) on May 19, 2007. And she isn't ashamed to share with the world that she was one of the oldest student in her class- the first graduating class of the CSOL. What an acomplishment! As if her prior degrees and numours years of experience in various capicities weren't enough, now she is going to embarc on another chapter in her life.

Mom, I'm proud of you! What an example you are of perseverance!

CLASS OF 2007 PROFILE Almost 200 students started studying at the Charleston School of Law when it opened in August 2004. Two-thirds (133 students) were full-time students; some 64 began as part-time students in the school's evening program. Because several part-time students accelerated their studies by attending summer school, the Charleston School of Law graduated 186 students in its first commencement ceremony. Some statistics for the graduating class: Number: 186 students graduate with the Class of 2007. Residency: 77 percent are S.C. residents; 23 percent are non-residents. Gender: 56 percent are male; 44 percent are female. Age: The median age is 27. Ages of graduates range from 23 to 70. Education: The Class of 2007 includes graduates from 45 colleges and universities. Two students have earned doctorate degrees; 13 percent have master's degrees. Service: The Class of 2007 has donated 15,946.05 recorded hours of pro bono service to the community over the past three years.

Oath of Enlistment (& Re-Enlistment)

After much red tape, I was finally able to re-enlist into the Army Reserves today. I re-enlisted for 6 more years. Wow! This February I landed on my mark of 12 yrs of Federal service in the military- nine of which were active. I never thought, especially 12 years ago, that I would be where I am today. I don't know if you have ever witnessed or experienced an oath of of enlistment or re-enlistment into the military. If not, below is the best I can give you- some pictures from this morning accompanied by my Oath of Enlistment.

I, Tiffany Martschink, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

So help me God.

For those of you who may be history buffs or enjoy interesting and little know facts, here's a little info on oaths in the military: During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress established different oaths for the enlisted men of the Continental Army. The first oath, voted on 14 June 1775 as part of the act creating the Continental Army, read: I _____ have, this day, voluntarily enlisted myself, as a soldier, in the American continental army, for one year, unless sooner discharged: And I do bind myself to conform, in all instances, to such rules and regulations, as are, or shall be, established for the government of the said Army. The original wording was effectively replaced by Section 3, Article 1, of the Articles of War approved by Congress on 20 September 1776, which specified that the oath of enlistment read: I _____ swear (or affirm as the case may be) to be trued to the United States of America, and to serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies opposers whatsoever; and to observe and obey the orders of the Continental Congress, and the orders of the Generals and officers set over me by them. The first oath under the Constitution was approved by Act of Congress 29 September 1789 (Sec. 3, Ch. 25, 1st Congress). It applied to all commissioned officers, non commissioned officers and privates in the service of the United States. It came in two parts, the first of which read: "I, A.B., do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will support the constitution of the United States." The second part read: "I, A.B., do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) to bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and to serve them honestly and faithfully, against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever, and to observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States of America, and the orders of the officers appointed over me." The next section of that chapter specified that "the said troops shall be governed by the rules and articles of war, which have been established by the United States in Congress assembled, or by such rules and articles of war as may hereafter by law be established." The 1789 enlistment oath was changed in 1960 by amendment to Title 10, with the amendment (and current wording) becoming effective in 1962.

Dave Roever Freedom Ralley

There must have been countless angles rejoicing in heaven on Sunday. All day Sunday. Sunday morning 4 Protestant Services came together for one service. This church service was for soldiers who were in basic training, tanker training, and Cav Scout Training. This service was hosted by Dave Roever. He and two others conveyed messages of hope provided to them by Jesus Christ after being injured during wartime. Five hundrend soldiers committed their lives to Christ that Sunday morning.

Sunday evening out at Central High School in Elizabethtown, KY, Dave Roever, Brian Flemings, and JR all spoke to the community at a Freedom Ralley. They conveyed the same message of hope to the surrounding community as well as soldiers from Ft Knox. When the soldiers entered the building, there was 15-20 minute standing ovation. Before Dave Roever started his speach, he wanted to give a warm "welcome home" to all the Vietnam Veterans that they didn't get when they returned home from war.

Sunday night at the same Freedom Ralley, there were countless numbers of people who came to the alter, most of which were soldiers, to give their lives to Christ. How powerful this event was!

Dave Roever will be speaking Thursday morning at the National Prayer Breakfast here at Ft Knox, KY. Between now and the National Prayer Breakfast, Dave Roever and his team will be conducting more of these ralleys at several other High Schools and Middle Schools in the community.

Operationi Fellowship

The 5/15 CAV is an OSUT (One Station Unit Training) battalion that falls under the 1st Armor Training Brigade (1st ATB). It is a battalion contained of new soldiers entering into their military service- doing basic training and their job training all at one time and one location. They are being trained to become Scouts. This OSUT training is a total of 17 weeks. When these soldiers reach their half way mark, we (the UMT- Unit Ministry Team) buses them out to a local church off post called "Fellowship Independant Baptist Church." This church also has a private K-12 Christian school- "North Hardin Christian School." These soldiers meet up at the chapel at 8:30am and return at approximatly 4:30pm. What are they doing all day? They are participating in what is called Operation Fellowhip.

During Operation Fellowship, soldiers experience a Christian message,

a wonderful tasting home cooked meal,

topped off with an opportunity to play sports in the school gym, write letters home, socialize, and relax. The members of the church are so nice and friendly! It's a great way for the community and the soldiers to interact with each other.

This wonderful woman is affectionatly known as "Ma Bird." She has been working with this program since it began 17 yrs ago. Isn't she the sweetest thing?!!

Ft Knox, KY

Well, I've arrived at Ft Knox, KY. I have been in processing the post and the unit that I will be apart of. Inprocessing includes registering my vehicle on post, updating my ID Card, and all my records- to include my medical, dental, and personel records updated. This includes getting those shots that I haven't had in a while. Gosh, I didn't realize how many I needed- many of which I didn't have already.

http://www.knox.army.mil/ Map of Fort Knox, KY 40121, US

Thank you all who sent emails, text messages, and phone messages wishing me a "Happy Birthday!"

Travel

Well this is home. I guess it will be a while before I see it again. So I have my car packed up with my bike on the back of the car ready to go on this journey.

Before I left Charleston, SC to go to Ft Knox, KY for a one year activation/ mobilization. I ate with some friends at The Mustard Seed.

Thursday, February 15th I arrived in Augusta, GA to visit some friends, then hit the road to reach my destination. It was great to hang out with them. Good times!

I left Friday morning from Augusta for an 8 1/2 hr drive to the Ft Knox, KY area. This picture is one of the stops at a gas station to fill up the tank and streach my legs for a bit before heading out again.

I was greeted by snow and temperatures of 18 degrees. Nothing like the temperatures I was familiar with back home in Charleston, SC.

Tuesday morning I will begin my mobilization. The first week or two will be in processing the installation and to the unit. More updates will continue periodically.