When you serve in the military one of the by products is that you become friends with people who will continue to serve after you leave the service. If you are lucky you will make close friends and keep in contact with them for years down the road. And someday they might even deploy and […]
Category Archives: Afghanistan
Stories from when I was deployed to Afghanistan on a PRT. Most focus on the different missions I went on as Civil Engineer and a female in Afghanistan
How To Turn A House Into A Home
The military requires families to move and it seems like once you are settled it is time to pack up again. How do you make a house into a home? When I went to my deployment in Afghanistan I lived in a building for a few months for training in Indiana. Then a tent for […]
From the Military to Motherhood on Kindred Mom
I am a former Air Force officer with a Civil Engineering degree. I hold a Professional Engineering license. I deployed to Afghanistan for 9 months on a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and came home with a bronze star and combat action medal. Are you impressed yet? I am also now a bewildered and struggling stay […]
Helmet – Protecting your Head and your Mind
One of the most important pieces of equipment the military gives you when you are heading off to a combat zone is a helmet. It protects your head from possible attack. And although it is a good thing the first few days you wear it, it really hurts. The pads in it that should […]
Hope for Survival – Afghanistan to Motherhood
When I found out I was deploying to Afghanistan with an Army unit I did not have a lot of hope that I would survive the nine months in Afghanistan. I guess, in truth, I wasn’t even sure I would make it through the winter in Indiana for training. When I left for training, I […]
Because You Think I’m Brave
Some people say I am brave because I went to Afghanistan. And I guess maybe I am. But I can tell you that fear was along side my bravery. I think a lot of people look at people’s stories and just see the ending and not the fact that there is fear and struggle along […]
Running from who I am
For a while I have been running from who I used to be. I don’t know if running away is the right word. But I have been feeling like the story I’m sharing doesn’t matter because I’m not who I used to be. Maybe deep down I feel like staying at home doesn’t make me […]
Remembering – What will you remember looking back?
Isn’t it weird what you remember when you look back on past moments from your life. You might think that I would remember all the work I accomplished while I was in Afghanistan and all those projects I had at one time memorized. Now I can’t even remember most of them. I only remember bits […]
Deployment Changes You Forever
When I talk to my friends about various things I realize my deployment changes you long after you get home. While I was in Afghanistan our team never got hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). But we did have a close call. I still think about it every once and awhile and I don’t […]
Are we truly safe? Life isn’t Safe
Another Thursday night so it is time for Five Minute Friday. The word is SAFE Go When I was in Afghanistan I never really felt safe. When you are in the military you are not supposed to put your hands in your pockets. And to that I wonder why they give you pockets. 🙂 Anyways, […]
