KABUL, Afghanistan --
(These words are my own thoughts and they are from the heart.)

From a Senior Airman:

To begin, I'd like to say that I've been extremely humbled being here in Kabul. Over my last four years in the Air Force and even over my other experiences in my deployment, there has not been a job like this. This experience has led me to the conclusion that I am extremely lucky to be where I am and who I am. Although I've always carried a certain amount of gratefulness for my life, I've never really had to come face-to-face with it until now.

Obi's Story:

The story that struck me the deepest was the story between SMSgt Vega and Obi. I tried to display this relationship in my feature video, but I don't know if the true message can be understood unless you've been here. Obi, the 22 year-old pilot, is a man that puts all of my worries and frustrations to shame.

This Muslim man taught himself English (along with three other languages), has learned the art of flying through the Wing, and volunteers to help other Afghans like him--at the age of just 22-- while living in a war zone. I stress that because at such a young age, most of my generation is still in the realm of youth with absolutely no care of the world. No worry of being hunted and executed for the simple act of wanting to learn. The danger of education is real for him, not just a college student's annoyance. So the fact that not only is he extremely intelligent, but he is extremely brave and dedicated to the quest of education; something that is taken for granted and unappreciated in my generation. I hope that the children of America can only learn to appreciate their truly amazing opportunity, instead of wasting it because it is not 'fun'. It sickens me every day to see the lack of gratitude for something as simple as a book, when this young man could quite possibly be killed if caught reading. However, that is a different soapbox altogether.

Before I continue, I want to caveat this: I am not a religious person per-say and have no underlying objective to telling this story, just so that is understood. However, the story began when Obi was walking to his home in Kabul. Please remember, that being a pilot in the Afghan Air Force already carries a significant weight and danger, so even the act of walking home is something that is life or death for this young man. As he was walking, he came across a group of people who were holding a book burning; destroying American literature. Obi, with no regard to his own life, stepped in and saw an English Bible within the pile.

He told one of the burners that he shouldn't destroy this book, not just because it is a holy book (Islam values the Bible as the word of God as well as the Qur'an ), but also for the reason of respect among different cultures. The burner told Obi that he should not respect the American's book and that any respect for such is bad, very bad. After a slight altercation, Obi took the book home and hid it, as just the mere fact of having that book in his home is an even bigger target put on him. After about a week, Obi smuggled the book back to the Afghan base and talked to SMSgt Vega, the recruiting advisor here at the 438th AEW. Obi wanted the book to be cared for and put somewhere safe away from the ignorance and hatred. SMSgt Vega, realizing the significance of this young man's bravery, took the book in his possession, promising to take it home where he can show his children and others; telling the story of Obi's bravery through this religious text.

As soon as Obi told me this during our interview, I asked him, "You're such a brave man, do you feel like this was an act of bravery?"

I was expecting a sound bite stating something like he was brave for his country, his air force, and his people kind of thing. After the baffled look on his face disappeared, he told me something that only deepened the significance of his story. To paraphrase, he said that he is not brave, and he could never even think that way because of his religion. It's a respect value; respect between two religions, two separate cultures, but also between two brothers of this world (himself and SMSgt Vega). He only wants to show the Afghan people that intolerance is not acceptable. Through his connection with SMSgt Vega and the air advisors at the Wing, he is able to teach the people who do not understand.

Obi didn't act out of strong nationalism or some self-proving notion. He acted based on his respect for his advisors, his mentors, his people, and his world; hoping for a less hate-filled and more tolerant place for the Afghan population.

This is a long explanation of this story. However, walking into this I expected to meet a young man that had something to prove. I expected a young man that would talk about his bravery and desire to fight for his family, and also carry a certain amount of disdain toward the people (the taliban) that have torn his country apart. However, what I found is a humble and valiant young man who will never expect a voiced appreciation. He only wants to make a difference in this world through acts that he can't even talk about freely. Alongside the American mentors and advisors, he found a level of appreciation and gratitude for life that many people, I fear, will never understand.

The impact of this advising mission, I believe, is clearly displayed in this man. This attitude of tolerance and respect is like a grassroots movement. It starts with a small group and branches out like the roots of an oak tree. While many of the mentors/advisors will interact only with their specific Afghan counterpart, I hope they realize and remember that their interactions, attitudes, and faith in the Afghans carries so much farther than the people they see. As their counterparts go home every night, they share their experience with their wives, children, neighbors, and even strangers; an impact on the attitudes and perspectives of generations of people.

Watch Brandi's video of Obi

Personal Aspect:

This is only the aspect of a Senior Airman. I don't carry the true weight of leading or having to inspire people under me. So I lack in that experience of the day-to-day grind of our military leaders. However, I do have the aspect of someone who is in what has been described as the most ungrateful generation in the first world. I definitely am not innocent in this fad. I honestly used to place the blame on society for being disenfranchised in the American dream. I'm not going to get into my life details, but to summarize I always dreamed about the day I could have a good job, an opportunity to go to school, and be able to save for a better life. Starting at the age of sixteen, I had to learn how to support myself in a minimum wage job, eating noodles each night, and being scared to get sick because I couldn't afford to see a doctor. I was angry. I saw the kids going to college, buying new clothes, and throwing parties as being the 'lucky' ones. My mind was in a clouded state of thinking. I thought that my situation was the worst it could get and that I deserved more. Through the ups and downs of life, I finally found the Air Force. They gave me a career, healthcare (which saved my life), and a future.

Over the past four years, I have learned the gratitude that I missed in my younger years. However, nothing has topped this transition as much as the experience I've found here in Kabul. Looking back at all my complaints in life, I am ashamed to say that I never appreciated the most obvious and simple aspects in life that we are so privy to: I was in the United States, had the opportunity of choosing a job like the military (without my life being on the line), and could do things as simple as take my dog on walks without being scared every day. I will never truly understand the situation that Obi is in, but the best I can do is look at my own life and see how truly fortunate I am and act/feel accordingly. Obi's story is not unique either. These stories are laced in all 60 career fields that the advisors mentor in: the maintainers, pilots, firefighters, etc... For example, the Afghan firefighters asked their mentors if they could hang a picture of a U.S. firefighter that died in 9/11 next to their prayer room. The picture hangs there to this day. I think the impact, of the men and women of this unit, is widely misunderstood.

I just hope someday that I'm able to show my younger brother and sister, maybe my future children, and anybody that will listen to the lessons I've learned here.

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