Napping

                Our approach to teaching the soldiers is an invitation to them to change and to learn. The soldiers come looking for a magic answer to a higher score without going through an intellectual boot camp to hone the skills. That requires that they stay awake, leave their phone in their pocket, solve math problems on their own, read passages that are more than four sentences long, and do homework. Some days we feel like the drill sergeant in boot camp as we try to coax the soldiers to believe in themselves enough to try, to work for knowledge.

                With the Bowmans here to help, we were able to split the math instruction into two sections. We let them self-select into a section that focused only on basic math skills or to stay in the section that would cover all the skills they would encounter on their exam. We were surprised at the number who opted for the easier instruction. We have come to love each of these soldiers, believe in them, and try to help them believe in themselves.

                …And in the afternoon I take a nap and then we go for a little walk to revisit places we have enjoyed and view the beauty of the change in seasons. This group of soldiers has had little time or interest in evening tutoring so we have had a little more open time and a little less stress.

                The USO held a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the Korean meat buffet to honor those who had earned Presidential Awards at any level. The other soldiers we see often in the evenings when we tutor were honored with us as they received Bronze or Silver awards. This was our night to be given the Gold and a reminder that our time at Camp Casey is drawing to a close. It is a joy to serve with the soldiers so far from family and home.