Deployment journal: Making do with basics

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
HERAT, Afghanistan --  Many believe that as servicemembers, we are always equipped with top-notch gear and supplied with abounding resources. I argue that the reality is quite contrary.

Since arrival in Afghanistan, I've fought tooth and nail for bare essentials, such as military uniforms and am still awaiting reimbursement on gear I've had to purchase out of pocket.

Likewise, in the office, we don't have the basic public affairs communication devices like: a telephone, mobile telephone, or even a government e-mail system.

However, in less than three weeks here, in addition to conducting a high-profile shura, similar to a town hall meeting, to better public education in Herat, we've managed to host a 16-person media tour, escort scores of international media representatives, write more than a dozen press releases and stories, and photograph kinetic and development missions.

As a coalition we will go to unimaginable lengths and sacrifice a bit of comfort for the betterment of this land.

Tomorrow, I will head out the front gate on a multiple-day combat mission elsewhere in Afghanistan. On departure, I'll have the armor on my body; a ruck-sack full of camera gear, changes of underwear, socks and water on my back; cameras strapped to my flack vest, and a rifle in my hands. Most importantly, I'll have keen situational awareness on my mind and a smile on my face.

Days from now, when I return to Camp Arena, I guarantee I'll be tired, worn and torn, and my uniform will reek even more than it does now.

None of that matters.

When that day comes, I'll be happy to sit back down at this very desk and type away at this same laptop. I'll be in high spirits when I describe to you what transpired over the course of my week.

You see friends, my filthiest pair of boots and most sweat-drenched uniform is far more than I've seen many other Afghans with. I have everything here that I need, and I personally believe that the time I've already put forth to battle the systems for work-related items could have been better spent on the people who need my efforts most.

On this mission I will see many Italian, Spanish and American Soldiers. Each will carry what they may, and some will have finer gear and tools than the next.

At the end of the day, aside from what we must carry to execute our missions, everything else we cart along on our missions is only a distraction. It's better to be less concerned with what we carry, and far more concerned with why we are here and who we carry these burdens for.