AF Day 022

FOB Smart at 2019 (8:20 p.m.)

The remainder of my day included a foot patrol to look at a new project. We walked from our compound to a nearby location with existing buildings and perimeter walls. The new project will fortify such with a new, higher and stronger CMU wall to allow for a more secure meeting location for the Afghan people. During our observation on-site, we had an opportunity to review an additional project within this compound underway. The work they were performing, by hand, looked backbreaking, it looked tiring, and because they were literally busting unusable concrete by hand, it looked as though it would take them a lifetime. We take for granted at times the fact that life in our comfort zone is so much different than those of other nations and for other peoples.

It is interesting to note that when we prepare for any mission outside the wire, or the safe zone of our forward operating base (FOB), we are preparing for the absolute worst and hoping for the absolute best. Every time I have left with these professional soldiers and airmen it has been an amazing opportunity to examine their training, their responsiveness to the chain of command, and to their dedication to their profession. Today was no different.

This evening I was honored and privileged to witness a ceremony offering appreciation and praise to my US Army Corps of Engineers coworker, Mark Bridges, for his honored and meritorious service here for the last nearly two years. Our commander had an impressive array of accomplishments and accolades for Mark. We also honored another departing civilian and the promotion of a Senior Airman (SrA) to Staff Sergeant (SSgt). I can only hope my time here is as distinguished and honorable as theirs, especially Mark's for his length of tour, his dedication to USACE and the PRT, and the sacrifice he has made leaving his family and two very young children to voluntarily serve here in Afghanistan.

Tomorrow is filled with promise. I have completed my nomination package to become a Project Manager (Contracting Officer's Representative) at the request of my local supervisor, an Air Force Captain, and am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead. Serving amongst professionals is such an exciting way to live life right this moment. I miss and love my wife, my son, my family, and my friends, but the bittersweet pleasure is now derived from offering to help where others need it so much in their lives right now.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.