After-action Report

Beginning March 20^th a courageous group of fathers and sons met at Big Sandy, Texas, for the 2025 South Central Service Camp. The theme verse for the camp was from John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life (desires, wants, will) for his friends. This theme was demonstrated throughout the weekend by service to the campus and to each other.

The first formation on Thursday was at 1700 hours. Our first order of business was to promote Caleb Johns to Sergeant. He then served as the Operations Chief and Drill Instructor for the remainder of the camp. After retiring the colors, each dad and his 

son(s) began preparing their evening meal. As is our evening custom, we all came together with our meals to eat as a unit and enjoy the fellowship.

On the day prior to the camp, the county had declared a burn ban, so all evening meetings were held in the Pine Lodge (instead of around a campfire). Thursday evening at 1930 we enjoyed an inspirational message by Cpt. Rick Warner, who spoke on
“Remembering.”

After Friday morning reveille, breakfast, and devotions were accomplished before the service projects began. Warrant Officer David Johns spoke on the three battles all men face. Then at 0900 the first work details began. Squad 1 spent all three hours raking up and hauling away the pine needles from the common area outside Pine Lodge and around the cabins. Four large trailer-loads were removed during this project. 

Squad 2 cleaned campground restrooms in preparation of an upcoming campus event. 2Lt. Steve Long, aided by two LTC’s, also worked for a short portion of the morning on the low ropes course.

Lunch break was from 1200 to 1400. The afternoon service project was from 1400 to 1700. Squad 1 continued the work of squad 2 by cleaning restrooms. Squad 2 worked on the low ropes course cleaning out small trees and brush. For most of the last hour of the afternoon service, many of the fathers and sons cleaned up limbs and debris from the grounds west of the sports complex building. Body chores and dinner followed.

After the dinner fellowship, we had a first at camp. Instead of an evening speaker, we had the Alert Cadet Talent Show (ACTS): survival training, juggling, chopstick training, poem reading, cast iron cooking lessons, playing the guitar and singing. It was all good, and the evening was enjoyed by all.

Saturday was our day for father and son time and group activities. We started off in the morning with a PT test, followed by Human Stratego. Some did other activities as well, like fishing and canoeing. 

After the lunch break there was an archery instruction class with hands on
participation taught by Cpt. Warner, followed by more fishing and canoeing. Also, a group worked in the John and Romans booklet assembly line for an hour. Others enjoyed frisbee, basketball, and volleyball.

After the evening meal, we met in Pine Lodge for a wisdom search led by WO Joshua Waddell. He spoke on the 5 W’s: who, what, when, where, and why from a scriptural perspective. It was a great evening lesson with good discussion following.

Sunday morning we completed our time together as 2Lt. Steve Long shared on overcoming adversity. Everyone pitched in to clean Pine Lodge and the surrounding area, and then camp was dismissed.

Respectfully submitted

Cpt. Terry Williams
Camp Commander