Day 407: Meritorious Service

It is a rite of passage when you leave deployment that you receive some kind of award. The award represents your efforts over the course of your time in the country and the change or progress you were able to influence while deployed. Well, today was my turn to receive my end of tour award. I was presented a Meritorious Service Medal by my direct supervisor and good friend CAPT Ken Laube. The citation reads as follows:

For meritorious service while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a physician mentor. He led the development of the first regional medical headquarters and regional medic training programs, mentored Afghan medical personnel and coordinated Afghan forces medical humanitarian projects. These accomplishments significantly increased the capability of the Afghan National Police and the emergence of a more capable and effective life saving force. His performance of duty in a combat zone reflects great credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, the United States Central Command and the United States Navy.

Steven P. Huber
Brigadier General, US Army
Commanding

It is nice to be recognized. It is nice to feel that I have made an impact for good while here. I feel that I have done my best to serve my country and the Afghan people over this past year. It has been challenging at times and the progress has been slow, but the bottom line is that some progress forward has been made. The Afghan police medical system is just a little more capable and a little more functional than I found it. I am content with my work and am hopeful that my replacement will be able to build on my successes and help the Afghans achieve even more in the future.

So now that the end of tour award is out of the way, I can look forward to the reward I really want...walking safely off that plane in a few weeks and being able to give my Susie, Abbie, Ellie, Eden and Ammon a big hug. See you in a few weeks guys!