BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan –
Staff Sgt. Shanta L. Andino
Home Unit: 1st MSGS, Langley AFB, VA
Location: Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
What do you do? Surgical Technician
What's a day in the life like? I work nights so my "day" starts at 7:30 p.m. I'm usually off by 3:30 a.m. After work, I go back to my room for a few hours to relax. I then workout, eat, run errands, shower, and then get to sleep.
What's the most useful item you packed? Earphones and a flashlight.
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? The first time I heard the sound of incoming rockets.
What has been the highlight of your tour? The highlight of my tour so far has been working in the Tactical Operations Center. Although I am a Surgical Technician, I was transferred to this department after working in the operating room for about a month.
What's the best part of the deployment? The best part for me is the new friends I've made. It really makes a difference to have someone to laugh and vent to while you're here.
The worst part? The worst part is not having any time off. This new job is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I look forward to my first day off when I get home.
What do you do during down time? I exercise and try to pamper myself. The base offers spa services, so I treat myself to a massage once or twice a month.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? I plan to make an appointment at my hair salon.
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? Eat at one of my favorite seafood restaurants.
What insight/experience will you take away from your time over there? Being here has opened my eyes to what really goes on during a war. Actually being here has been a dose of reality, and I've learned not to take anything for granted.
What do you miss the most? Driving my car.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? My job at home is more hands-on, direct patient care, working in the operating room. The current job I am doing now is administrative. It's exciting because I get to see what happens behind the scenes instead of just in the operating room.
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside? Honestly, none of it seems to matter as much when you're at war. It's good to know what's happening in the world, but you have to remain focused on the mission.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? If so, what will you buy? Yes, I plan to do some shopping, take a much needed vacation and finish renovating my home.
About when are you to return? I hope to be returning by the end of December.