Fear and Trust

Day 29 – Unite

I was only shot at one time in all my missions outside the wire in Afghanistan.  That was more than enough for me. I was afraid to go back to the school where I was shot at, but my job did not ask me how I felt. Afraid or not afraid, it was time to inspect the school and it was time to go back.  I set my fear aside and went back to where I was shot at.

My team had the advantage when returned. We now knew where the enemy was hiding and instead of lining our trucks up along the road and heading into the school, we set up a strategic setup where we could keep our eyes on the activity down below.  I was not worried about the threat once we arrived. Our team was set up in a great position and once I was inside the school wall it was time for an inspection.

It is interesting how fear can melt away once your adrenaline is running.  Once we left the base and headed to the site my fear melted away. I was very cautious and always throwing in my advice on how careful we should be, but once outside the wire, I guess my mind went to a place that it needed to be so I could not only survive but thrive. No longer was I adamant that we should avoid danger at all costs.  I guess the more I went out, the more I trusted the men who kept me safe. I was often referred to as their precious cargo. I could have been offended, but instead, it showed me how much they cared. I trusted them to have my back and knew they would do everything they could to keep me safe. We united as a team that day and it will not be a day any time soon that I forget.

And if you are curious about my firefight click here to read the whole story.


See all my 31 Days…Military Life

11 comments on “Fear and Trust

  1. Wow… what a powerful story! Amazing how we can overcome fear when it really seems to make more sense to give in to it! Thank you for not… thank you for your service! And what a blessing to be part of a team that you can know and trust will protect you! Stopping by from our 31Dayers fb group!

  2. “I guess the more I went out, the more I trusted the men who kept me safe.” Such rich Spiritual application here. So glad I stopped by and please know how precious you are to civilians as well! Thanks for your service and for sharing.

  3. I love how you reframed this — I was often referred to as their precious cargo. I could have been offended, but instead it showed me how much they cared. — in a positive way. You are so strong!

    • I’m still good friends with some of the guys. People I normally may not be friends with. It is amazing the friendship you make when you live through something like that.

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