Today was definitely a better day than yesterday. I woke up early to a 50 degree day, and was ready to go meet with our ANA's to talk more about training, and go meet the ANA Commander, Major General Marad. We walked to the ANA side of the Camp, where I stared at the same row of concertina wire with bright, yellow CAUTION tape that led us to where we were going the last time we were here. It reminded me of CNN news reports I had seen in the past...secure bases and soldiers everywhere...Afghan Army soldiers staring into the cameras as they passed, with their dark eyes and fully grown beards. It was the same thing today, only in real life and with my own eyes. Sometimes I forget where I am until moments like that. Welcome to Afghanistan.
We were once again greeted by our ANA PA partners, who told stories of their recent trip with the General. After about 30 minutes of socializing, we went upstairs to the General's office, where it was very clear how important he was. Guards stood outside the office with weapons in hand, and a man who appeared to be the General's personal aide, proceeded to bring out tea and snacks and set them on the tables in front of us. The General's office was decked out in lavish carpet and couches, and a big photo of the Afghan President hung from the wall behind the General's desk. With our interpreters beside us, we sat comfortably in the office while the General finished signing some papers with a couple men who were there before us. Once he was finished, he started talking to us...welcoming us to Afghanistan and talking about the things he wanted his PA people to learn. He was a pleasant man it appeared; a large man with an Asian look. He spoke of the importance of media and media relations, and how video and photo imagery really told the story of what's going on in the country. It was much like being home and listening to any Public Affairs officer talk about what we do, much to my surprise. He really seemed to understand our mission, and how important it is for us to document news, facilitate media, and do it all in a timely manner. How the Afghan civilians are informed of events throughout the country is key to the Afghans being self-sufficient. The more news that's out there telling the story - the real and true story - the better. Our job is vital, in that, the truth has a way of keeping people on the right side of the tracks. What we do in Public Affairs is more important here than anywhere I've ever been. Our ability to train the Afghan Army soldiers, and their ability to self-sustain after we leave and get news out to the public could keep 10, 20, 100, 1000 civilians from getting angry or misinformed and keep them from flipping sides to become part of the Taliban, like so many have before them. Can you see how much impact we can have on the big picture? How much impact I can have? If the people know what's going on...know that the ANA and ANP (Afghan Nat'l Police) are taking care of them...if they hear...see...read...that their country is becoming safer and safer...can you see that impact? Hearing the General talk about how much he wants his guys to learn was great to hear in the initial meeting with him. I hope he means what he says, employs the things we teach his PA people, and allows things to function as they should. Like anything else, you often wonder whether or not it's just talk...or if he really wants these things to happen. Politics play a big role in what's going on here right now, and the higher the rank, the more the politics.
The General had a short video interview with some other people, talking about the effect of more Americans coming to Afghanistan. I had my ANA guy grab a video camera, just so I could see what he could do. He did pretty good for the most part going handheld without a tripod, and I was able to watch over his shoulder and help him out a little bit with a few things. It was very impromptu, so we didn't talk about much, but it was still cool. I don't think he'll be hard to train at all.
I was able to get a photo with the General, as did all of us. We also were able to take a group photo together at the end. Sandy was a little apprehensive as to how the General would view her, but the General did take a photo with her also, and shook her hand. She's experienced people here that won't even acknowledge her, let alone shake her hand...so it seemed like the start of a good relationship for her and the General...and him with all of us.
We went back down to the PA office and Major Niem told us that the General was very happy to have us and looked forward to how much we could teach his men. He signed off on our "training plan," so that was a great sign right off the bat. We'll see how it plays out in the weeks to come. In the PA office, we socialized more and I was finally able to see some of the video equipment that they already have. It seems like they have everything they might need, minus the knowledge to put it together and use it. We tried to start their editing computer, but it wouldn't boot for some reason. Unlucky. I have my computer here in the office all set up and ready to go, so training shouldn't be a problem...for now. I just have to make sure that when I leave here, they aren't stuck with a computer that doesn't work. I'm working on that now, as requests have been put in to get them what they need. A computer got added to the list today. I can't leave here knowing that they have the knowledge, but not the equipment to get the job done. I'll be heading back over their way in the morning to set things up and see what I have to work with. I'm excited about that, and about helping them do the things they've been wanting to do.
I got back to the office and watched more of Dexter Season 4. I took back the other DVD Box set I had - that only had 8 episodes in it - and got a new one. Much to my dismay, this one only had TEN episodes in it! The season has 12 total episodes, and these last two are going to be amazing. I have to take this box set back tomorrow and have the guy physically show me a DVD with episodes 11 and 12 on it. I HAVE to see them. After that, we went to dinner and I got ready to play in the pool tournament they were having here. I played in the first round and won, but then got informed that there was a Texas Hold 'Em tournament being played around the corner. Pool or cards...pool or cards? Entertainment or entertainment and chance to win money? I left the pool tournament for the card game. Unfortunately, I got down to the final two and lost. So much for that. I don't lose much at that game though, and there will be more games played here. I'll be back.
Not much going on after that. Checked e-mail and Facebook one more time and then here to finish off the day's blog. It's amazing to see some of things you see while you're deployed. In a single day, I can walk by people from about 10 different countries, and hear about 10 different languages. Right now, I'm listening to a man (probably from Croatia I'm guessing) talking to his family on the webcam. He's louder than he probably realizes, as his voice is echoing throughout this small wooden room we're in. He was singing a few minutes ago, and I turned around to see a birthday cake full of lit candles on his webcam screen. He was singing "happy birthday" to one of his kids in his language. [As I write this, he's singing a verse of it in English...amazing]. How cool is that? As much as you'd like to think that "foreigners" are really foreign...they really aren't. They're just like you and me. They might believe different things, dress differently, or talk differently...but they're much like us. Despite what you might think based on what you see on TV...they live, laugh, and love just the same way we do.
I feel a little better today, and hope that I can continue on this path to being back to normal sometime soon. I can't lose sight of who I am and what I believe in. While there are still some things troubling me inside, I have to fight through them and work them out when the time is right and not let them affect me and what I'm here to do. I thank God every day for all the things He's blessed me with, and again, I have to remember that the things that happen in my life all happen for a reason. I'll continue to live for the good and fight through the bad. I've worked too hard the past few years to be a better person, better friend, better husband, better father...and I like who I've become. Sometimes it feels good to finally grow up. I've worked too hard to let things get me down now.
Tomorrow's another day and I'm ready for it to start. Bring it on.
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