Letter From Afghanistan #15

Another week has come to a close and that means that we are another week closer to going home.  I know that this is true because we are starting to get word about the crew that is coming to replace us for the next rotation and that can only mean that our time here is getting short and no matter how you slice that, it’s a good thing.

Last week, with it being the anniversary of the attacks of 9-11, I talked about where I was when they occurred.  I mentioned that I was delayed in enlisting in the Air Force due to the attacks and therefore this last week Thursday was my eight year anniversary for being in the Air Force.  It just so happens that the day of my enlistment is actually one day earlier than the Air Force’s birthday. 

Some times when you get a group of military people together the conversation of why they joined the military and what they like about their specific branch.  I thought that today I would share with you my reasons for joining the military and what being in the military has been like for me so far.

Before graduating high school an Army recruiter had come and talked to our class about being in the Army and what opportunities it held.  He informed us of educational opportunities that were possible with the Army.  At the sound of money for college my ears perked up and I started to listen.  I had never thought about joining any branch of the military prior to this but I wasn’t sure if I could pass up the opportunity to get my schooling paid for.  When I mentioned this to my parents they encouraged me to talk to at least one other recruiter so that I could make an informed decision.  A short time later I met with the Air Force recruiter at Gateway Mall and we discussed what opportunities the Air Force could give me.  Of course some of the information was the same, like the pay scales and travel opportunities.  Some of the things that were different that sounded better to me as they were presented to me where that the living condition for Air Force members is usually better than in the Army and that our deployments are shorter.  Taking into consideration the information that was provided to me by both recruiters I decided that the Air Force would be a better fit for me over the Army.

Often times, if you ask someone in the military why they decided to join the military, you will be told that they joined because they wanted to defend our country or that they wanted to be a part of something bigger than themselves, while yet others will inform you that they joined the military as a way to get out of their town and see the world or to make a better life for themselves.  I can honestly say that I couldn’t give you a single one of those reasons and say that it applies to my situation.  I have come to appreciate some of those as my career has progressed but it was never my original reason for joining.  My reason for joining the Air Force could be summed up more into the category of money.  I was promised a steady pay check and the money that I needed for college.  Of course at the time I didn’t look at the fact that someone who does my job as a civilian can make more money than I do, but looking back I still think that I made the right decision.  I wasn’t fond of the idea of having tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt just so that I could go to school and eventually hope that I found a job that would go with my major.  Looking at the state of the economy now I am increasingly happy that I have a job that I can’t just be laid-off from and that my salary is guaranteed to come to me each month.  As far as the educational opportunities, I can’t say that I have used them yet, but they are still available to me and when I finally decide what I want to study I will have the opportunity to get my degree.

I mentioned that some people say that they joined the military to travel and see the world or in order to get out of their home town.  Neither of these were reasons for me though I have been able to do my fair share of traveling in the last eight years.  When I went to basic training it was the first time I had ever flown anywhere.  It was also the first time I had ever really been to a larger city like Denver and then to San Antonio.  Of course in the last eight years I have had the opportunity to fly more than I would like to some times but it joining the military opened the flood gates and given me the opportunity to do this.  After I finished basic training and technical school I was told that I was going to be stationed in Germany.  Considering that this was really the first time that I had ever really been away from home I was not looking forward to the idea of moving so far away.  But the Air Force told me that I was to go to Sembach, Germany and so onto another plane and off to a whole new location.  Like I said I didn’t join the Air Force to travel or get away from home, but I am glad that I have been given the opportunity.  During my time in the Air Force I was fortunate enough to live in Germany for two years and while there I did my fair share of traveling.  I was able to got Spain and France with my mom to visit some foreign exchange students that we had through the years and have adventures on the trains throughout Europe.  I was also able to travel through Italy and see things like the Vatican and the coliseum in Rome, which I don’t think I would have had the chance to see if I had stayed in North Dakota.  I also got the chance to spend a week in Egypt where I was able to inside one of the great pyramids, ride a camel near those same pyramids, and take a boat cruise up the Nile River.  During all of these travels I have had plenty of opportunity to make some great friendships while having the opportunity to take pictures around the world.  Of course being back in the states hasn’t stopped my traveling either.  In the last three years I have made trips back to this side of the globe to take up a short residency in both Iraq and now in Afghanistan.  Some people would merely look at having to go to Iraq and Afghanistan as being away from home and everything that is familiar to them.  I look at it as a way to see things that I would not have been given the opportunity to see otherwise.   Now I’m not saying that it’s fun to be at war but it made me who I am today and I wouldn’t change that for anything.   I also look at the fact that joining the Air Force has put me where I am today.  If I hadn’t joined the Air Force I cannot say for sure if I ever would have met my beautiful fiancé and my life might be completely different and so if I could go back and change anything in my life, I wouldn’t change a single thing.

Well on that note I will sign off for another week.  I want to thank everyone for the many thoughts and prayers that you have all sent our way and I especially want to thank everyone that has emailed or written; it helps to feel a little more connected to home. 

I would love to hear from you.  If you would like to contact me you can email me at john.iraq@hotmail.com.  I love to hear news from back home.  I also would love to try and answer any questions that you may have.  If you would prefer to send a letter, card, or care package they can be sent to me at the following address:

SSgt John B. Ferderer

Task Force Pegasus

HHC 2-82 (SWO) Task Force Corsair

APO AE 09355

If you are sending a care package please know that everything that is sent is shared with everyone here on the FOB and that everything is greatly appreciated.  Due to the heat I must ask that you please refrain from sending chocolate or anything else that will melt.  With the temperature still reaching over 90°F each day chocolate becomes soupy very quickly.

Have a great week and have a great Air Force Day!