Photo By Sgt. Darryl Montgomery | Capts. John and Laura Haberland enjoy a break from work together at the local coffee...... read more read more
By Spc. Darryl Lee Montgomery
Multi-National Division - Central
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Deployment usually means packing up and leaving family behind for a year so that Soldiers can do important missions abroad.
This is not the case for the Chief of Detainee Operations Capt. John Haberland, a Simsbury, Conn., native, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Mountain Division, and his wife Capt. Laura Haberland, a Seattle native, HHC, 10th Mtn. Div., chief of administrative law, who have been deployed together since May 2008.
The couple met during their first week of law school in 2003. They got married on Nov. 25, 2006, a few months after graduating from school, and joined the military shortly thereafter.
"The Judge Advocate General Corps did a good job at keeping us together," Laura said. "Joining was always something we thought about, and it was the best time in our lives and for our careers to do so."
They knew there was a high chance of deploying from their duty station Fort Drum, N.Y., she said. So they were ready for it.
During their deployment, the Haberlands have worked only three cubicles apart from each other. But they do not work directly together.
"We work close in proximity. But our lanes are entirely different," said John. "I can probably count on one hand how many times we have crossed paths in work."
"We rarely get to see each other at work since we are so busy. But, in the evening, we do everything together. Being here together has helped greatly reduce stress," said Laura. "It's a lot better than having to pick up the phone and have a spouse back home try and understand the challenges of deployments. It's great that he's here and understands."
"In addition to reducing stress, it has helped raise my morale," Laura added. "It's nice to have your best friend here to talk to."
"One of the biggest challenges we face here is not being able to 'turn off' work," John said. "Being constantly immersed in it all day and coming back 'home', it's hard to clear your mind."
The Haberlands have a Sunday morning 'date night.' They go to the post exchange, purchase magazines, and then go to the coffee shop to read them. While there, they listen to the chaplains play music on a variety of different instruments.
"Sundays are good. Having that one day off is a good chance for us to spend time together," John said. "It gives us a sense of normalcy since we do something similar back home."
When the couple returns home, they plan to take two weeks of leave to visit each side of the family, Laura said.
They are also considering buying a house in the Seattle area if the military stations them at Fort Lewis, Wash., John added.
Buying a house is their main goal when they return home.
"We've been able to save a lot since we left home," Laura added. "It's been nice to be able to put some money away as a nest egg."
Looking back at the nine months they have spent here together, they both agree the experience will help their marriage grow.
"We have had a huge benefit in going through this together," John said. "I wouldn't want to do this alone now that I've done it with Laura. This was our first deployment, and I feel we got lucky to be together for it."
"I believe that the deployment will help to strengthen our marriage," said Laura. "A deployment tests your marriage in many different ways. And for us, I think it's been a good experience. If we can make it through this, I think we can make it through anything."
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.10.2009 04:35 |
| Story ID: | 29823 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 490 |
| Downloads: | 350 |
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