Hi,

I’m signing up for the army reserves and going to BCT after October 22nd because of the High Holidays. I’m expecting not to be able to keep shabbos or kosher or shave with an electric razor during BCT, should I even bother asking about any of it? Are there any Orthodox Army chaplains?

I’m in the Milwaukee area for my reserve duty. Also, I take it it’s going to be impossible keeping shabbos on drill weekends, right? Well, let me know! And to those in the service already, thanks for your service.

Officially the Military has to accommodate your needs when they don’t impact the mission. If you plan ahead and notify the people at BCT of your needs, they should be able to accommodate you. It might not be easy, but it should be kosher. I would contact whatever base your BCT is at immediately so they can prepare for your needs. There are a number of Orthodox Army Chaplains, I don’t know any of their contact info or where thay are (I’m an Air Force Chaplain). You should contact the Jewish Welfare Board. They give ‘hashgacha’ to Jewish Chaplains and lay leaders. They will be able to tell you who/where the Army Chaplains are and will also be able to help you get accommodation.
http://www.jcca.org/JWB/ Also try the Aleph Institute http://www.aleph-institute.org/ they also do a lot of support for Jews in the military.

Are you from Milwaukee? I am. I moved away after high school and I miss it there. If you’re part of the west side community there are a few people there who know me.

Good luck, and remember that there are always people out there to help you, don’t be afraid to ask for it.
gmar chasima tova

Actually yes I am on the west side. Did you go to wits? If there’s anyone you want me to give your regards to, pm me!

Oh one more question: does the army issue siddurim/chumashim in the ACU covers?

I didn’t grow up frum in Milwaukee. I grew up in Fox Point. Went to Nicolet. If you went to WITS then you know my closest friends in the west side. I’ve known the rices since I was very young and before they were frum. My parents and the Rices were friends way back in the day. Now that I’m frum I stay with the Rices for Shabbos every time I go home. How’s Mike doing? I haven’t heard any news since I was home in June.
I’m not sure what the Army issues, I’m Air Force. All the Jewish stuff they issue (or almost all) is provided by the JWB, so if you ask them they should be able to tell you.

You can get chumashim and siddurim from the Army.

If you specifically want the camouflage ones, Alef should be able to send you a free copy, they are the company that prints it.

There are many Orthodox Army Chaplains, where will you be?

Dee
Jewish Prime Vendor

The Rices are doing good as far as I know. I wonder if I saw you in June at CBJ. I didn’t formally attend WITS but I did go to bais medrash part time for a little while. Anyways I’m going to BCT October 27th at Ft. Jackson and then IY"H to the DLI in California. I’m going in as a 35W which I understand is a placeholder for either 35N or 35P. Should I talk to my recruiter or try to contact someone at Ft. Jackson directly?

Let me know!

I asked about the Rices because the last time I was in Milwaukee Mike was very sick and I was wondering if he had gotten any better.
I’m not sure what all those letters and numbers you spit out at me mean. The only one I recognized was BCT, the rest are Army terms that I, as an Air Force Chaplain, am not familiar with.
I’d talk to your recruiter first, but no matter what he/she says contact the BCT chaplains at Ft Jackson ASAP.