Service to Others

By Maj. Jared Auchey (XVIII Corps)June 16, 2014

Service to Others
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Terriance Hamilton, petroleum specialist with the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), discusses supply concerns with an Afghan June 5 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Hamilton is responsible for ensuring contractors who enter his Area ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Service to Others
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Terriance Hamilton, petroleum specialist with the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), discusses supply concerns with Afghans June 5 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Hamilton is responsible for ensuring contractors who enter his Area of... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Staff Sgt. Terriance Hamilton, petroleum specialist with the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), spends much of his days taking care of other people. Serving as the property noncommissioned officer in charge of ACAT, Hamilton is responsible for ensuring contractors who enter his Area of Operation receive important equipment they need, such as body armor and connex containers.

Stationed in Bagram, Afghanistan, Hamilton also serves as the statistician and is responsible for tracking how many passengers fly in the aircraft that we are in charge of every day, the amount of cargo our aircraft carries each day, how much mail we carry each day and how many sling loads we conduct on our aircraft each day; in addition to how many of our aircraft fly per day.

While Hamilton is in charge of tracking the statistics much of Hamilton's day involves interacting with people, most of which are Afghans. Hamilton said he enjoys talking with Afghans and said he sees many positive relationships between Afghan and coalition forces.

Recently Hamilton spoke to Muhammad, an Afghan working on Bagram, about the recent indirect fire attacks.

Muhammad said Afghans were infuriated after hearing that there was in-direct fire on the base, and that they feel the same way when they hear of IDF on other bases. They think that it is awful and know that we are here to help. They understand that we are in this together and we will defeat the enemies of Afghanistan together.

Because of his bond and friendship, the Afghan's often tell him to, "be careful and take care", something Hamilton said is comforting to hear from Afghan's while being deployed.

Hamilton also said he is amazed at the ingenuity of Afghan's and sees them use a variety of skills often. He specifically mentioned their expertise on working with cipher doors and locks.

"Cipher lock doors with codes is something I would have no idea where to start," said Hamilton. "The Afghans are excellent at installing them and ensuring everything is programmed correctly."

Hamilton said he believes the future will be bright for the Afghan people as the transition to Afghan forces is complete.

"I think the Afghans will take the lead here and 'grab the bull by the horns'," said Hamilton. "The Afghans I talk with have a positive vision for their future and I feel the same way."

Hamilton, a native of Ozark Alabama, will be returning to Elizabethtown, Kentucky when he returns from deployment. Hamilton has served as an inspirational speaker in both Kentucky and New York. He is a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, for his work with the Lord's Supper Soup Kitchen in Radcliff, Kentucky. Kentucky Colonels are unwavering in devotion to faith, family, fellowman and country.

Hamilton said he will take the lessons he learned while serving with the people of Afghanistan to inspire others when he returns home.

"The Afghan's persistence and determination in seeking a better life for themselves is very motivating, and are a strong testament to the old phrase 'never give up'."

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