Sample Story
Spring 2011, during my second tour to Afghanistan, I was stationed at FOB Torkham. One day, we were out on what was supposed to be a routine patrol when a sudden ambush turned into an hours-long firefight. Midway through, our comms went down, leaving us alone, fighting an enemy we couldn’t even see.
I was patching up one of our guys who had been hit, doing my best under heavy fire, when the rest of the squad formed a human shield around us. At that moment, I wasn’t just a medic doing my job; I was in the center of a circle that felt stronger than any stone wall. It was more meaningful than anything I’d ever experienced in civilian life.
When reinforcements finally arrived, we were battered but still standing. It wasn’t just about surviving; it was about realizing we’d become a family. Those bonds are still strong today. We don’t get to see each other much, but I’d love to get the squad together for an adventure weekendāto catch up around a campfire.
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