Photo By Lt. Col. Michelle Lunato | Pfc. Jakeyla M. Jordan, automated logistics specialist, A Company, 392nd Expeditionary...... read more read more
By Capt. Michelle Lunato
Pfc. Jakeyla M. Jordan, Automated logistics specialist, A Company, 392nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion
Q: Why did you join the Army?
A: It’s a good experience for getting your life on the right track.
Q: Have you been surprised at all the morale activities here in Kandahar?
A: Yes. I wasn’t looking to come over here and do all of that.
Q: Do you think the variety of morale activities are important to have on deployment?
A: I think it’s important because the soldiers would be more stressed without them.
Q: A rocket came close to your sleeping area when you were on leave. How do you feel about that?
A: Even though I wasn’t there, I run to the bunkers. I think it could have been me. I could have been there.
Q: How is your family handling your deployment?
A: I tell my mother, "Unless I call you personally about something, don’t listen to the news. I am fine."
Q: What keeps you going each day here?
A: I look at it as she [my daughter] is my motivator. If I didn’t have her, I wouldn’t be in the military.
Q: What do you want your daughter to know?
A: That her mom strives to be the best at what she does, and that I did it all for her.
Q: When you went home on leave, you said you got stuck in Atlanta for two days, and, the USO treated you to a hotel, aquarium, and etc. What was that like?
A: It felt good for one, and that’s the main thing I like about the military.
Q: Do you feel different than other 22-year-olds because of your military experience?
A: I feel like that I am more mature than they are. I’ve told some of my friends, 'It’s time to grow up and take care of yourself.
Q: What is one of the things you have learned from your deployment?
A: You have to appreciate everything you have, and open your eyes and see it all.
Q: You’ve seen some of the huts the locals live in here and kids playing in the fields. What did you think about that compared to your life in America?
A: We take a lot for granted in America. They are so self sufficient. They can’t go to the grocery stories. They have to plant their food or be escorted.
Q: Who have been your role models?
A: My grandma, she is 63-years-old and still working. My mom is a role model for me. She took care of four kids, had two jobs and did it all on her own. And now, all her kids are grown and she is taking care of my baby [while I am deployed].
Q: Do you want to be like your mother?
A: I think I am. I had a lot of males tell me, you are going to make it. You are a strong woman.
Q: What are some of your goals?
A: In 2011, I want to have a five-bedroom house and take my mother on vacation for keeping my daughter. I want to get degree in criminal justice with a minor in business so I can have my own business that searches for missing children.
Q: What do you miss about your mother the most?
A: I miss her guidance and an opinion on what is right and wrong, and looking at how others may feel. If I have any problems, I go straight to her.
Q: How does your job fit into the signal mission here?
A: If our job wasn’t here, they wouldn’t have the things they need. I don’t think they could function. They would have no radios, and their trucks would not work.
Q: Do you feel that the deployment is a sacrifice for your country like people say?
A: If you have kids, you are making a big sacrifice. They need you, and you are missing
so much (birthdays, graduations, and just them growing up).
Q: (To Capt. Christopher Layer) What is Pfc. Jordan like as a soldier?
A: "She has been a model soldier, and truly a pleasure to have. She is bright, articulate and doesn’t require over the shoulder supervision,” said Capt. Christopher Layer, commander, Alpha Company, 392nd ESB.
"She is a young soldier who is mature for her age. She is really dedicated to her job, and for her first deployment she has done extremely well,” said Sgt. Maj. John Miles, sergeant major, Alpha Company. 392nd ESB.
| Date Taken: | 09.06.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2010 14:35 |
| Story ID: | 56254 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 149 |
| Downloads: | 12 |
This work, Interview with Pfc. Jakeyla M. Jordan, by LTC Michelle Lunato, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT