CAMP MIKE SPANN, MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan –
Master Sgt. Steve Goetsch
Home Unit: Air Combat Command Public Affairs
Location: Camp Mike Spann, Mazar-E-Sharif, Afghanistan
What do you do? Mentor the Afghan National Army's 209th Corps on photography, videography, communication products, media training and other public affairs activities.
What's a day in the life like ... while in Camp Mike Spann? It is quiet here. We are attached to the Afghan's Camp Shaheen, and frequently meet with them on their post.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? Looking through night vision goggles at the stars. I couldn't believe how clear the sky is here, and of course driving through Kabul.
What's the most useful item you packed? Laptop. It's the nerve center of everything. Work, entertainment.
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? Doing 40 miles per hour through downtown Kabul in an up-armored sport utility vehicle.
What has been the highlight of your tour? Walking amongst the people I have been watching on the news for the last seven years.
What's the best part of the deployment? We are the first team of our type, so we get to set the bar.
The worst part? Traveling in the area of responsibility is like hitchhiking. You go through five locations before you hit your final destination. The bad part is you don't pack 300 pounds of gear when you hitchhike.
What new survival skill have you learned? Inventory. Two military members were killed on Camp Shaheen by an Afghan Nation Army soldier. When we go there, I take inventory on everything; buildings, weapons, egress routes. I think it's a good skill to acquire and use everyday no matter if you convoy or are on post.
What do you do during down time? Watch football and write to my wife.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? Kiss my wife, and then watch the national football league playoffs.
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? Beer and pizza
What insight/experience will you take away from your time over there? Understanding Islamic culture as well as working for the Army. I think everyone should experience joint operations.
What do you miss the most? Truly relaxing. Sprawled out on my living room floor with my cats. The floors are dirty and the cats have rabies, so I can't do that here.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? It is strictly teaching. It is tough because you have to work through not only the obvious language barriers, but illiteracy and huge cultural differences.
Have you tried the local cuisine? Yes. Similar to Mediterranean or North African food. Really good, but it is no geschnitzeltes (a Swiss veal dish)
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside?
News is far from trivial if you plan on returning (which I do.) I am a news junkie, and watch about 90 minutes before breakfast.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? If so, what will you buy? I am closing in on retirement, so this money just gets added to the "retirement buffer." If anything, it might buy me a month off before I start my second career.
About when are you to return? January 2010