Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Cheryl Dilgard | Army Cpl. Krystal Ahern describes her duty mission as "making sure the troopers have...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Despite only two years in the Army, Cpl. Krystal Ahern of Phoenix, Ariz., has risen to a level of distinction and recognition during her time of service. Ahern is the active non-commissioned officer in charge of supply for the 193rd Military Police Company, 525th Military Police Battalion. She describes her mission here as "making sure the Soldiers have what they need to perform their duties inside the wire."
Ahern is a high achiever who joined the Army to help her reach her personal goals. She is planning on starting classes next session at Columbia College to work on a general studies curriculum that she will then apply toward a nursing degree. Eventually she hopes to return to Arizona where she can work as a nurse and pursue a second degree in massage therapy.
Like most Soldiers in Guantanamo, Krystal misses her family and the comforts of home.
"I miss Mom waking me, telling me it's time for school, not having any responsibilities," she confessed. She especially misses spending time with her four year old sister jumping on the trampoline.
Although she misses not having responsibilities at home, she is not afraid of taking on responsibilities at work.
"She can constantly be called upon to do things and never hesitates to help anyone in need. She has already deployed once to Iraq and volunteered to come down here after already serving away from the U.S. This speaks volumes of her character and general make up as a person and a Soldier. She has taken on more responsibility and shouldered the burdens with no complaining," said Army Staff Sgt. Steven Barthmaier, Cpl. Ahern's direct supervisor.
Ahern actively helps junior enlisted Troopers pursue success. She volunteers her time to help soldiers study and assists them in their promotion preparation. Ahern has goals of getting promoted herself and believes that her position here in Guantanamo will allow her to take that next step. Running her own supply shop for the 193rd is giving her tremendous experience.
"I want to get used to the position of running my own supply shop before getting promoted," she said. "When I came into the shop it was really disorganized."
Ahern's short term goal for the Army is to return to Iraq. Her tour in Iraq was with the 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, and it was there that she learned a lot about responsibility, the Army, and personal growth.
"I served in a tight-knit company. It was more like home, and you depend on each other more. It's like a family. The decisions you make determine if you live or not," Ahern said.
Like any solid non-commissioned officer, Ahern has learned from the mistakes of others, a practice that enables her to make good choices regarding how she spends her off time and good advice for young troopers coming to the island.
"You don't have to slam a bottle of whiskey after a bad day. Learn to brush things off," Ahern said. "Follow the rules. Do what you're supposed to do and take advantage of the opportunities provided by Morale, Welfare and Recreation."
| Date Taken: | 02.26.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 02.29.2008 15:45 |
| Story ID: | 16841 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 159 |
| Downloads: | 119 |
This work, Young Army Corporal Pursues Excellence in Duty, by PO2 Cheryl Dilgard, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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