Army mom is Army strong

Photo By Pfc. Andreka Johnson | Pfc. Bridget Cooper, a Las Cruces, N.M., native and supply clerk assigned to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, holds a photo of her four children who are currently back in the U.S. Cooper is deployed to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  

ZABUL PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

05.31.2011

Story by Andreka Johnson 

1st Brigade, 11th Airborne Division

ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Growing up in Las Cruces, N.M., Pfc. Bridget Cooper faced many challenges but never met one she couldn’t overcome. But shortly after joining the Army in 2010 she was faced with a more difficult challenge: deployment.

"After joining I could remember thinking about how much I had learned while going through training and the challenges I faced while trying to adjust to a new lifestyle,” said Cooper a supply clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team 25th Infantry Division. "With the leadership I had I was able to overcome that obstacle and by doing that they were able to mold me into the soldier I am today in which what prepared me for my first deployment."

"I'm going to be honest,” said Cooper, "coming in as a new soldier I didn't know what to expect, but now I’m starting to apply the skills that I have been taught and make the necessary adjustments that I need to make it through this deployment."

Cooper turned to her bubbly personality to help build new relationships.

"Building new friendships and having support the support of my family, friends, and fellow soldiers are a really big help during times like these but having to be apart from my family and friends is also very hard," said the Las Cruces native. Another thing is that not only do I have to worry about myself but my husband as well who is also serving here in Afghanistan but in a different area of operation."

Although deployment is new to Cooper, she has realized that a very important element to success during a deployment is taking it one day at a time and taking advantage of the little things that make her happy.

"On my spare time I enjoy video chatting with my kids, and hanging out with the friends I have made here. Other than that I do my Job and work towards personal goals that I have," said Cooper.

While planning to continue her education cooper also looks forward to another short term goal.

"I think that she is going to be just fine," said Staff Sgt. Stephanie Nye, a Greensburg, Pa., native and a supply sergeant with 1/25th SBCT. “As her supervisor I am here to mentor her so that she can someday become a leader and I also look forward to her being promoted soon.”

• Date Taken: 05.31.2011
• Date Posted: 06.02.2011 02:20
• Story ID: 71458
• Location: ZABUL PROVINCE, AF