JOINT BASE CHARLESTON –
I deployed to Kunar Province, Afghanistan as a Combat Stress Technician, and was assigned with the Army's 4th Brigade Combat Team from Dec. 2009 to June 2010. I routinely traveled to several combat outposts, firebases and observation posts from my home base. Assigned to a mental health officer as my supervisor, we made it our mission to be readily available to the 750 soldiers within our area of responsibility. My duties included identifying and aiding in the treatment of those suffering from behavioral health issues, delivering educational classes, and providing timely input to the battalion commander regarding the psychological well-being of the unit.
To stay accessible, we traveled on a weekly basis in Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles and helicopters. Upon arrival to our location, we would usually stay for a few days so we could really get to know all the soldiers and find out what we could do to make their deployment and transition home as smooth as possible. The Kunar Province is extremely kinetic, and the soldiers I served were in firefights nearly every time they stepped outside the wire. I took pride in our ability to normalize the stressors associated with war and our ability to reduce the stigma that comes along with receiving mental health care. At the combat outposts, my supervisor and I would sleep in the medical aid stations which led to a new responsibility, combat medic. These tiny outposts were attacked several times per week, some several times per day. As soon as the base was attacked, since we were already in the aid station, we would lend a hand. I worked alongside other medics, treating everything from dehydration, to shrapnel and bullet wounds. During one base attack, I took on three different roles; removing an injured soldier from a firefight and treating his wounds, taking control of communications and calling a MEDEVAC for the personnel injured during the attack, then conducting a debriefing for everybody involved to help normalize their emotions.
Sure, there were some hairy moments, but the good far outweighed the bad and I would say this was a great experience. I made friends I will keep forever, and developed an even stronger sense of pride for our country and the soldiers fighting for it. If I could pass along anything to my fellow Airmen, the emphasis would be on taking training seriously. You never know when you will be asked to do something outside your job's primary duties. As a Mental Health Technician, I was wrong when I thought, "I will never have to do that; why do I have to have Self-Aid and Buddy Care training?" I am grateful that I had great mentors who ensured I took all training seriously, and as a result was prepared each time new duties were assigned to me.