I was asked the other day how I viewed this story that I am recording; the story I have stated that will be told by soldiers as they live and grow through this deployment. After a short pause, I explained it like this, "I began this story from a known point, but I have no idea how it will progress or end. It's like writing a novel, where each page that you compose is published, riding on the back of the events as a surfer rides a wave. The final destination will only reveal itself in the end." Today marks seven days since my last entry.

One of the risks of an embed, especially an embed of this length and duration, is maintaining perspective. As I come to know these men and women beyond the camouflage, body armor and desert tan boots, their humanity shines through to reveal the everyday citizen that lies beneath. Life almost seems normal amongst the smiles and moments of laughter that fill the air. Yet there is a significant difference here... these men and women are faced with a separation from their families and friends that is unlike anything that exists in the day to day lives that go on outside of the barb-wired fences and guarded gates of Camp Shelby. Compassion comes easy, and the role of photojournalist/ story-teller can fall into the fold of the group, rather than remaining an observer of events.

As I finished my last entry of 16 April 2006, I felt I was falling too deep into that fold of past memories. Don't misunderstand, I loved being a soldier, and am proud to have served as a member of this Brigade. The line, however, between myself and those around me is fine, and easily crossed. As I stated at the beginning of this project, I have promised honesty and fairness in the stories that I tell; to hold to that I must always keep a measure of distance between myself and the lives of the soldiers on this deployment. Having been a member of this group once before, that objectivity can be as challenging as any mission that lies ahead. I needed a few days to collect my thoughts, gather new stories, and take some time just for me. And so I did, and now I am back.

This break also defines a subtle shift in focus. Pressing forward, I have realized that while I have held to my commitment of letting the soldiers tell the story, there is a dimension that has been missing... the voice of the observer, my voice and the observations that I have made. That isn't to say that this is suddenly going to become a forum for my opinions and commentary. Rather, it is a statement to foreshadow an added perspective by bringing to this blog editorial pieces that bridge that space between soldier and events. It is my attempt to add a framework to help better understand the challenges that are faced not only by the individual soldier, but by the organization as a whole as it pushes forward to what will be one of the most challenging missions this Brigade has ever been tasked with.

Over this past week I have listened to soldiers as they have expressed their excitement and their frustrations. I have witnessed moments of struggle and moments of limitless pride. I have placed myself close to the missions to approximate my function as it will be once we arrive in Afghanistan. The capstone to it all is that the reality of going to war is slowly sinking in. What is real today, will change tomorrow... and so begins, Chapter Two.

Archived blogs: Click here for March blogs

RSS feed: Click here

Copyright, Scott Kesterson- 2006

---