KABUL, Afghanistan –
Staff Sgt. Chad Reesey
Home Unit: 633 Logistics Readiness Squadron
What do you do? Logistics/Supply/Contracting Officer Representative
What's a day in the life like? On a typical day, we process customer purchasing requests for several hundred items, from office supplies to office furniture. We in-process all NATO Training Missions-Afghanistan and Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan personnel, issuing ammunition and personal gear. We are also in charge of supplying all office supplies, ranging from the average pen/pencil to cleaning supplies. Pretty much running what the Air Force classifies as a Base Service Store for all forward operating bases in Afghanistan.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? Learning how to work hand-in-hand with NATO forces and all of our sister services to make things operate as smoothly as possible in a deployed location
What's the most useful item you packed? Right now, I would have to say my laptop -- it's my key to relaxing. From watching movies to playing games, it makes the time go by faster.
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? The first Friday here we had a rocket attack. Talk about a scare the (heck) outta ya kinda moment. Then three days later, we had several buildings blown up around the base and small arms fire, followed by a car bomb going off several hundred meters away.
What has been the highlight of your tour? Meeting new people and making new friends from other branches of the U.S. military and NATO forces
What's the best part of the deployment? Getting to carry a weapon around all the time and training with the Army
The worst part? Not knowing when the next attack will be or what the next day will bring
What new survival skill have you learned? Was able to hone my hand-to-hand combat skills
What do you do during down time? Listen to music, talk to friends and family, play computer games, watch movies and sleep.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? Hug my wife and daughter.
What insight experience will you take away from your time over there? Knowing that as an Air Force NCO, I was able to shape and make changes to an Army Supply system that was not functioning properly or working nearly as efficient as it could have. I have managed in the short time I have been here to incorporate an Inventory Accountability Program, a Computer Based Asset Management Program to control and monitor all assets received, stored and issued to customers. Streamline the in/out-processing, to include updating an out-of-date paper system to track and control all issued accountable assets, such as IBA, weapons, and ammunition. Teaching the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps how the Air Force Supply system works and how to incorporate it into the everyday use in our location has been a challenge that I will soon never forget.
What do you miss the most? Being able to relax, drink a cold beer, and talk with friends and family
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? The job I do stateside is computer oriented and from what I have learned here, is a lot easier to do on a daily basis.
Have you tried the local cuisine? I have eaten several different types of local food, many of them too hard to spell to even attempt to try.
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside? Unfortunately we don't have much access to TV to see what is going on stateside, so it's very difficult to speculate.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? I'm planning on getting a new motorcycle for myself and a puppy for my daughter.
About when are you to return? July