KABUL, AFGHANISTAN –
Tech. Sgt. Kimberley Beavers
Home Unit: 1st Comptroller Squadron
Location: Kabul Afghanistan/ Combined Security Transition Command
What do you do? Accounting non-commissioned officer-in-charge
What's a day in the life like ... while in Kabul? My days are mostly spent at work. I wake up at 6:30 am and I'm at my desk by 8 am. I am in and out of meetings all day due to my job responsibilities. I usually go to chow with one of my three roommates. We also go to the gym together. I try to get out of the office no later than 7 pm but lately it's been around 10 pm. After work I go to my room, take a shower, lie down and try to relax to get ready for the next day.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? Climbing a mountain to do a promotion ceremony
What's the most useful item you packed? My IPod
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? As soon as we were making our combat landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan
What has been the highlight of your tour? Actually being where I am in with the mission we have. It makes me feel like I get to see history taking place.
What's the best part of the deployment? Gaining some new experience and knowledge across the board; from gaining a different insight on accounting, and also interacting with different services as well as other coalition forces
The worst part? Being away from my loved ones ... especially my son and my nephew
What new survival skill have you learned? I've learned how to do a saline lock. I hope I never have to do one, but if I ever am faced with that I will know how to do it correctly.
What do you do during down time? During my down time, I usually try to rest and watch movies.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? Go to wherever my son is so I can give him a hug
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? I will eat something that I have made myself. I miss my own cooking.
What insight/experience will you take away from your time over there? This is my first deployment and I will take away how much the military member sacrifices. I have also gained such a respect for those that do this over and over again. Those that go outside of the wire on a daily basis are strong and brave individuals, and they do it without hesitation. They are true heroes.
What do you miss the most? I miss not having to go outside to go to the bathroom.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? I am still doing my budget, but since I am working with Army funding, its different. We also use difference types of systems here.
Have you tried the local cuisine? Yes, I have, and it was actually good. I haven't tred the thick yogurt drink however.
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside? It's amazing to me what actually makes the news and what doesn't. There was a lot of time spent on the death of Michael Jackson in the news, which was very sad, but as I watch the list of our Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, and Sailors who have been killed over here grow everyday without a word being said sometimes, it's sad.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? Maybe
If so, what will you buy? I'm thinking it will help me with a down payment on a new car
About when are you to return? mid November