Photo By Master Sgt. Alex Ramos | Sgt. Jamie A. Krakofsky, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native, shows off the sand pit used...... read more read more
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MEHTAR LAM, Afghanistan - Under the blazing sun, with dust kicked up in the air from countless helicopters landing and taking-off, stands a man barking orders to Soldiers and local nationals who work at Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam in eastern Afghanistan’s Laghman province.
Sgt. Jamie A. Krakofsky, the deputy mayor for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, directs workers daily to ensure the FOB surrounded by mountainous terrain is fortified with sandbags.
Almost five years ago, the last thing Krakofsky imagined he would be doing is commanding troops to enhance the security of an operating base somewhere in Afghanistan. With a struggling economy and his part-time nursing job not providing enough financial support for his wife and three kids, the deputy mayor for BSTB, 4th BCT raised his right hand to affirm his oath into the U.S. Army in July, 2007.
“I primarily joined because the economy was rough, jobs were tough, and I didn’t have insurance for my family,” said Krakofsky. “Then a sense of pride of actually joining and giving my kids something to look up to.”
Before joining the Army, the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native spent 10 years working as a chef. Three of those years were spent working at a restaurant named Yesterday’s, and the other seven were spent working as a chef in the Colorado Department of Corrections.
After the chef stint, he pursued a medical degree from 2003-2005 and became a nurse.
“Medicine had always been a passion,” said Krakofsky. “When I was a kid I always wanted to be a doctor. My wife was a nurse already and I decided to join the ranks with her.”
Joining the ranks proved to be difficult though. Both Jaime and his wife, Bianca Krakofsky, could not find a steady job.
“For two years I struggled finding a full-time job,” said Jamie Krakofsky. “A lot of times you start out on call or part time, so it’s tough.”
The Army provided the stability he needed, said Krakofsky.
With the help of the Army, Krakofsky was able to finish his degree in emergency management and hopes to one day become an officer in the medical field.
The financial stability and opportunities provided by the Army have put him and his wife in the best position since they married in 1995, he said.
Bianca works as a nurse at Evans Army Community Hospital in Fort Carson, Colo., and his kids seem to enjoy the Army life. Hopefully after transitioning to an officer, he plans to make a career out of the Army, he said.
When asked why he serves now, Krakofsky said: “Initially I joined for my family, to make a difference to them and provide for them,” said Krakofsky. “But throughout the years I’ve learned how important it is to serve for my country. I’ve also learned how important it is to educate and train soldiers and care for their needs as much as my family.”
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.20.2012 04:18 |
| Story ID: | 90296 |
| Location: | MEHTAR LAM, AF |
| Web Views: | 284 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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