KANDAHAR, Afghanistan-- Valentine’s Day, a holiday filled with passion and surprises, flowers and chocolates, jewelry and breakfast in bed, but for Sgt. 1st Class Jason Rodney and his wife Sgt. 1st Class Dilennys Rodney the holiday this year instead includes discipline and regiment, rifles and armor, camouflage and training.
For the Rodneys, currently deployed with the 82nd Sustainment Brigade – U.S. Central Command Materiel Recovery Element to Kandahar, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, love is war. This day is an even more significant day for the couple as it signifies their fifth wedding anniversary.
Jason met Dilennys in 2005 when they were both deployed to Iraq and through many changes of stations and deployments the two stayed close friends. While being stationed together in 2009 they decided to tie the knot before being separated again by another military move.
“Having my wife here makes the deployment easier, everyone said that we would frustrate each other but that hasn’t happened yet and I don’t believe it will,” said Jason, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist with the 82nd SB CMRE.
“Having him here has been great we do everything together he’s my best friend, motivator, and gym partner who happens to also be my husband,” said Dilennys, a unit supply specialist with the 82nd SB CMRE.
Although they are together most of the time, their work schedules often conflict and Jason's duties often have him traveling throughout the region.
“This is a dangerous area anything can happen at any time and I worry about her when I’m away,” said Jason.
The couple says they look forward to returning home and spending a little quality time together during a tropical vacation before picking up their five children.