Natosha Monroe

In the past few days, I’ve experienced more than one alert that our area was receiving IDF--indirect fire from Taliban (most likely) outside our perimeter—and instructing us to put on our body armor and seek shelter.  I actually heard one of the rockets fly over my housing and felt/heard the impact as it landed.  This was my first time to actually feel it, so I think I may always remember that moment in time.

My primary job is Division Behavioral Health NCOIC (non-commissioned officer-in-charge) for the 101st Airborne here in Afghanistan. But an NCO was needed to help get a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) program started up on the base, so I was designated to this duty upon my arrival. I’ll be honest--initially I was a bit disappointed to put my job on pause (particularly my travel to other smaller/more remote areas in the region) to do something else. I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d be doing and hadn’t had much experience with TBI clients previously. But what an amazing opportunity this has turned out to be—beginning a program that will help Troops from all over the country who are brought here for screening, testing, and treatment for various head injuries—and most importantly, the deserved amount of support and comfort when recovery is necessary.

I’ve been in Afghanistan for about a week now and let me tell you…it’s been surreal. I can tell by those around me that once you’re here for a while, things start to seem more “normal”, sure. But right at first, I have had to remind myself a couple times that this is no training exercise--the things I’m seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling…they are very real. Although it seems almost like I’m on a set of an action movie, I most definitely am not—this is the real deal.

As I write this it's going on 1a.m. and I've just finished stuffing all kinds of things into 4 large Army green duffle bags and one assault pack--camo-colored Army-issued backpack. (Forgive my typo's, I'm having to use my cell phone to email this to ACA). Tomorrow a large group will board our military flights & begin our journey to the other side of the world. As I've spent this time training with 100-plus people (can't give out specific information), I can't help but notice how well we represent the beautiful diversity of America. We are all ages from early 20's to graying hair. We are all genders and yes, preferences. We are all races and ethnicities to include different foreign accents.

To explain all the aspects of pre-deployment to those who have never experienced them, I would have to write a manual. Instead, I've chosen four key things to explain that are good to know when supporting Troops during this phase of military life. 1. The Emotional Roller Coaster. Don't be or act surprised when Troops behave differently in the time period before they leave--specifically if it's a dangerous, lengthy, or unclear assignment. The person may be more introverted than usual or more irritable than usual. Even with my knowledge of psychology & wonderful support system, I noticed a change in my behavior. Although I often suppressed it, I felt tense & was easily irritated. I didn't enjoy having to constantly "dummy things down" to answer people's questions which were "silly" to me. I wished they'd stop & just listen & be supportive-not make me explain things they didn't understand. Not fair, I know. Then I felt guilty if I lost my patience. Most of all, I feel sad to leave my loved ones--knowing I am voluntarily causing them to worry about my safety overseas.