Proud of commitment; thankful for support

“War is hell!” Samantha Jenkins responded in her e-mail to my question about troop morale. “Morale is most seriously affected by the lack of mint chocolate chip ice cream … or lack of any other favorite dessert on any given day.”

Sam is a Spokane native, a graduate of Rogers High School, Spokane Community College and Whitworth College, a single mom of two daughters and Master at Arms 1st Class (MAI E-6), U.S. Navy, Law and Order Detachment. Her quips and skewed one-liners were as jovial an inspiration when we worked together as they are now that she’s spending Christmas in Kuwait. This is her second mobilization since 9/11.

Not to be outdone, I wrote back, “How many bars have you been banned from?”

“I always use an alias,” she replied.

“Your purported military rank and position are …?”

“I can’t divulge that information as you are not on a need-to-know basis.”

The Navy has an expert wiseacre in their ranks.

Recently my thoughts went to Sam when shades of Vietnam appeared in the inquiries about the Iraq war and calls to bring the troops home. I wondered how a divided country affects troop morale.

“Now you realize that in no way, shape, or form can I appear to be disgruntled or anti-commander in chief, or America, so I’ll begin answering your question with a question of my own. What’s in this for me?” I pictured her slender face, wide smile, dark rimmed glasses and cropped brown hair sticking out willy-nilly.

During our e-mail exchange another Sam emerged. The smart-alecky quips were replaced with some surprising comments.

“Morale is high at times and low at times but most definitely not based on what civilians are feeling or saying or doing,” she wrote. “There are several factors that cause morale to decline like being gone for the holidays and talking to their families and finding out how they are struggling back home with the news reports on the war.”

News reports?

“The media doesn’t affect us here but it does affect our families back home. It gives them a false sense of danger and fear, which stay with them for a long time. Don’t get me wrong; there is danger, but no more than anywhere as far as acts of terrorism go.

“Morale is also affected by other personal issues. A bad day back home with the family is a bad day here.”

So morale is hinged on how a soldier’s family is faring and not on whether the country supports this war?

“Absolutely.”

As we wrote, the military mindset became clear – mission is always first. “Whether or not we should be here now is irrelevant. We are here and here we will stay as long as is necessary.”

The warrior ethos of the Soldier’s Creed – “I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade” – is the core of being a soldier.

“Without honor and commitment, no one would be here,” Sam wrote. “We are proud of our commitment and service. If the individuals back home could be here and see what is happening and some of the progress that has been made, I believe that they would feel the same way.”

Sam also emphasized a forgotten fact – our military is made up of volunteers. “Even the individuals who are mobilized against their choice come here by choice. Most everyone has an option of going home but even when frustrated and tired, they choose to stay and complete their mission.”

With such loyalty and dedication, I wondered if the zany, independent and ever-questioning Sam had traded in her civilian spunk for a Rambo bandanna and war cry.

“First off and most importantly, many people here are asking the same questions you are back there,” she wrote. “We do care about how this came about. We also care about how this will end. No one here is convinced that this will be a short stay. This is where commitment and courage comes in. We all have commitment to see this thing through and the courage to follow leadership even when burdened with some doubts.”

Our e-mails concluded and MAI Samantha Jenkins slipped back into Sam.

“Thank you for your support and concern and care package that I’m sure is forthcoming … full of fun stuff that I can pass around and share. If you do not have a care package for me, I would settle for your paying off my college loans.”

A care package is being assembled pronto.

Merry Christmas and God’s speed, Sam … and to all our soldiers.