FORT BENNING, Ga. (Oct.3, 2012) -- More than 160 Soldiers from 14th Combat Support Hospital deployed Thursday, after an earlier casing ceremony on Sept. 24. The unit will be deployed for nine months.
"I'm looking forward to taking care of the Soldiers that are there -- medical wise," said Sgt. Sade Washington about her deployment, which is her first.
Washington is deploying with her unit as a pharmacy technician where she will supply medications and IVs to doctors and nurses helping injured Soldiers.
Staff Sgt. Randolph Jackson said this, his second deployment, felt surreal, but he was ready to go.
"It's what you joined for -- when those (bus) doors close you know it's why you're there," he said.
"The reality hits and then when you hit ground that's when your mind goes into active mode -- what you're trained to do, what your job is -- and we're trained to go over there and do -- our jobs -- and (to) bring our people back safely."
14th CSH will deploy to several locations in Afghanistan to conduct medical operations including preventive medicine, veterinary care and medical logistics, said Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Sutphin.
"This is not my first deployment and I'm not going to say that deployments get easier every time you put another one under your belt -- I will say that I've learned some things from previous deployments that reduce some of the challenges that a first-time deployer would have," Sutphin said.
"How I feel about is, it's what the Army's asked me to do. This is why I joined the Army -- was to support the United States of America, support our nation and defend it. So I feel good about what I'm about to do despite the angst that you have with leaving Family members and being separated for so long."
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