My deployment story to Afghanistan started the day I left New Mexico. Knowing there was an adventure ahead of me, but uncertain of what was actually coming. I spent four months experiencing a real winter in Indiana, learning about the language, people, and culture of Afghanistan. I also worked with my team to learn about how to survive in a combat zone and made some lasting friendships.
In February it was time to leave Indiana and go to our final destination Afghanistan. My commander had said to look for opportunities to jump. And jump I did, mainly because I didn’t have a choice. I learned so much about myself and people. The experience changed me and will always be a part of me. Here are my stories:
Deployment Story
- Combat in Afghanistan
- Beauty in the Mundane
- Pumpkins in Afghanistan
- Helicopter in Afghanistan
- Afghanistan through Pictures
- Sent to War
- Weeks to go
- What I learned from Unbroken
- Welcome Home from Afghanistan
- The Adventures of Hank
- Children Waiting for a School
- Hot And Jamming
- Cultural Differences: Being Broken
My deployment to Afghanistan was an adventure and unlike most deployments people in the Air Force go on. A group I was a part of in Ohio (Society of American Military Engineers) asked me to come and speak about my experience overseas. I recreated by briefing into a five-part series breaking down what a Provincial Reconstruction Team is and does, what I did and challenges we faced.
Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT)
- Part 1: Defining a PRT
- Part 2: The Province of Kapisa
- Part 3: PRT Civil Engineers
- Part 4: PRT Missions
- Part 5: PRT Challenges
A deployment stays with you forever. I’m starting to share stories about how it is still affecting me today and how I can continue to heal.