By Capt. Mike Newman, 5th Squadron,1st Cavalry Regiment
SHAH WALI KOT, Afghanistan – Morale is always a concern for leaders during deployment. They want to ensure that troops are mentally fit to perform at their best. When asked about the most important thing to keep their morale up 24 of 25 soldiers in Task Force Black Hawk said, mail.
On average, TF Black Hawk receives a mail shipment about once a week. Around 300 boxes and letters are a part of this weekly boost to morale.
“That’s the best part of my job, and seeing the smiles on their faces when we are unloading and sorting the mail for the troops here,” said Pfc. Mario King who works at the Frontenac Post Office.
Pictured: A native to Huntsville, Ala., Pfc. Mario King, a soldier in the 350th Human Resources Command with 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, organizes the latest shipment of mail Nov. 12. The mail gets sorted then is taken to outlying camps with in the area of operation. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Mike Newman)
“We have both made a lot of friends here,” said McDowell. “We are lucky; when they see us unloading mail, it instantly puts them in a great mood and we are immediately friends.”
Lt. Col. David Raugh, commander of 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment talks to their family readiness group once a month on a recorded video message that is sent back for the friends and families to see. During the first three months of the deployment, he emphasized that soldiers needed more mail. The family and friends back home quickly answered the request.
“I know that the troopers really look forward to the mail coming in,” Raugh said. “It is a huge deal and has made a difference for us. They have done a great job and the troops love it. Heck, I love to get mail too.”
On mail days, it is common to see soldiers eagerly opening their boxes and comparing their goodies with their buddies.
“Look what I have,” said Staff Sgt. Ricky Starr, a soldier with 5th Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg. “You know what I’m doing tonight!”
Starr received the latest release of Call of Duty. He actually had to fend off a few soldiers who were jokingly trying to grab it from him.
Even getting something simple as a bag of cookies makes a difference.
“You don’t realize how you take for granted the little things back home,” said Pfc. Jefferson Freeman, with 5th Sqdn., 1st Cav. Reg. “Here, we can’t just stop by the local store if we have a craving for our favorite snack, so it is really cool to get things from home.”
On one occasion, a soldier handed his buddy a bubble package, the kind used to protect the contents of a box. He told him to pop it. When asked why, he simply replied “its air from the states” and had a huge grin. Everyone laughed and the package opening continued.
There is one general consensus of TF Black Hawk-- they greatly appreciate the mail and appreciate the support from the friends and families back home.
“[Friends and families] make a difference and are a big part of our success. Thank you for all you do,” said the troopers of Task Force Black Hawk.
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