My Perspective

Lack of immediate access to the internet, coupled with longer waits for that access, have kept me from regular updates to my blog. I’ve been busy in the mean time continuing to mentor our ANA brothers while also covering other teams and events here in Afghanistan. I finally found a minute to sit and think about the experiences I’ve had and how I feel about them as a whole.

Opinions on Afghanistan are everywhere, I see them daily in the news and hear them from servicemembers on a regular basis. So I’d like this post to be about the things I’ve seen: the good and the bad.

I’ve seen Afghans who need help. Not just the kind of help that will keep them from being under the rule of the Taliban, but the kind of help that will give them life for another day.

I’ve seen those that are willing to learn. Giving people the ability to provide for themselves has been more rewarding for me to see than just another handout.

I’ve seen laziness. Not everyone in Afghanistan is looking for “assistance” and I’ve seen my share of those looking to take everything they can with no regard for the long-term benefits of learning to be self-sufficient.

I’ve seen a different culture. The biggest challenge in making progress has sometimes been the simple differences between our worlds. Whether I’ve not considered their perspective or they haven’t thought about mine, sometimes we build our own hurdles to overcome.

I’ve seen a mountain in front of us. Low literacy rates, educational levels unheard of in the states, and a complete lack of infrastructure to assist the rebuilding efforts present a very real problem to Afghanistan’s growth.

I’ve seen a divide. Much like America’s struggle to overcome racism, Afghanistan’s different tribes still pose a problem to the unity of their country. From in-house issues with mixed populations in our own ANA office to news reports of larger problems between villages, getting along with neighbors is another hurdle here.

I’ve seen hope. After a previous tour where I was able to see a great deal of the country, I see improvements in the country, the people, and their ability to change.

Regardless of your political view or stance, I hope this small tidbit gives you some insight into the things I’ve seen here…stay tuned for the next update to just another day in my life.