LA FORTELEZA, Dominican Republic - Deployments have their perks, but along with that come sacrifices. Being positioned here at La Fortaleza, home of the Dominican Republic Army’s 5th Infantry Brigade here on the island of the Dominican Republic, while on first rotation from April 5 -18, 2014, has its ups and downs.
For many of the females of Task Force Larimar (TLF), they have not slept in an open bay barracks since basic training. So when you put that and the cultural differences between the Air Force and the Army into the mix, you might call it “the down” of the deployment but not in the case of the TLF.
“The last time I lived with this many females was basic training, and even then we had more space. So being in the Army I’m not used to this, but it’s really not as bad as I thought,” said Spc. Megan Klister, 56th Signal Battalion, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
The Air Force females are used to sleeping arrangements in smaller numbers. They don’t mind sharing space, however the space is usually confined to a tent or two, and those tents have some of the nicer accommodations such as air conditioning and heating.
While the Army sisters’ tents, are considered general purpose tents and can house approximately 20 persons and have no air conditioning..
“Although I’m enjoying the camaraderie of being with our Army sisters in the “dorms”, I miss the comforts that REDHORSE provides to us when we’re away from home,” said Master Sgt. Renee Oswald, 210th REDHORSE, New Mexico Air National Guard.
But here in the deployed location of the Dominican Republic the Air Force and Army are being housed together in an open bay under the same conditions without preference. The facility is considered a hardened facility, meaning the facility has solid walls, and it does have a bathroom and showers on the same floor. Although this may not sound so terrible, try having roughly forty females sharing four sinks and four toilet stalls along with five shower stalls. Not to mention taking a shower is a bit shocking as the water is cold and commonly referred to as a “combat shower.”
The sleeping area is lined with cots along the sides of the walls. Everyone housed here tries to make the most of the space they are given, which is minimal. The large bay does have ceiling fans which work day and night circulating the moist, damp air. There are none of the comforts of home like air conditioning unless you count the breeze blowing through.
“I personally like being mixed in, with Army and Air Force because we get to share stories and past experiences with the ladies. Sure it might not be what were used to, but the way I see it, it’s only three months so were are going to have to make the best of it,” said Klister.
This aside, the morale of airman and soldier alike is high. They know they are here to provide humanitarian aid to the people of the Dominican Republic. The greater good outweighs the discomforts of what these military females may be accustomed to in their daily lives back home. These soldiers and airmen have a sense of pride running through their veins, they will push through to accomplish the mission and be ready for the next deployment, wherever that may be, to serve others in whatever capacity.
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2014 09:57 |
| Story ID: | 128209 |
| Location: | BARAHONA, DO |
| Hometown: | FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Female life in the Dominican Republic, by MSgt Paula Aragon, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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