Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig | Sgt. Matthew Scott, a logistics management specialist with the 103rd Sustainment...... read more read more
Subscribe
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Many soldiers have wives, husbands, boyfriends and girlfriends back in the States. It certainly occurs to these soldiers to imagine what it would be like if that loved one shared their room here instead of the roommate they have or the empty bed in the other corner of the room.
Sgt. Matthew Scott, a logistics management specialist with the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), and a Des Moines, Iowa, native, and Staff Sgt. Shayla Scott, a property book office non-commissioned officer with the 103rd ESC, and an Adel, Iowa, native are a married couple deployed together at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.
“The biggest advantage to having both of us here is getting to see each other every day,” said Matthew.
The Scotts work in separate areas but share meals, a gym routine and a containerized housing unit. At home in Iowa, the Scotts left their new home and two dogs, both chocolate lab/German short hair mix.
“The hardest part of deploying was finding someone to take care of our house and our dogs, Sophie and Ramiro,” said Shayla.
Since purchasing their house in September 2009, the couple has spent more time here in Iraq than at their home.
“It’s kind of hard making that nice hefty payment every month and not getting to enjoy it,” said Matthew. “I’m a little bitter about it, but it is what it is. It’s a nice, nice house for a couple of 26 year-olds.”
The Scotts have been married nearly two years and have been together as a couple for three years. They began dating after Shayla’s first deployment to Iraq. This is Matthew’s first deployment.
“The best part of having him here is the support to deal with stuff going on at home,” said Shayla. “It’s much easier to discuss stuff like that with him than with a roommate.”
The Scotts draw a contrast between the freedom to do a whole range of activities they enjoy, such as walking their dogs and riding their motorcycle, and the fairly routine and regimented lifestyle here in Iraq.
“We’ve been tested and struggled since we left,” said Matthew. “But it’s nice being able to talk to that person right there, to touch them, feel them, instead of trying to reach out through the phone. I guess you could say it’s bittersweet.”
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.19.2010 08:48 |
| Story ID: | 62273 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 64 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Deployed couple confronts hardship with partnership, by SFC Zane Craig, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT