Within 30 seconds of arriving in Kabul, I was assigned to a new job. I am now the lawyer for the Future Plans Directorate of the ISAF Joint Command, which means I advise on the legality of all operations being
planned for the next three or so months. I’m the only lawyer on the team, so I am constantly being pulled into to planning meetings to listen to what operations the planners are coming up with, and then help guide them around any sticky legal issues. It’s fascinating to watch them plan these ops – especially since I don’t have any military background – and to look for potential legal issues with what they’re planning and the effects of their plan. Since they usually have at least a day (usually more) to solidify a plan, there’s always time to ask lots of questions and do some research, and help talk them through alternate plans that might be more legally doable. It’s only been a week, and already I’m blown away by the intelligence and creativity of the officers I work with. This being a NATO command, there are officers here from 48 different countries, some of which I’m embarrassed to say I could not point out on a map before last week. (Montenegro? Tonga?) The accents and the culture and the different personalities/dispositions of so many different people – all here fighting the same war – is just electric. (Frustrating as all hell sometimes too, but 95% of the time it’s a good kind of “electric”!). I’m also fortunate to work directly for Brigadier General (one-star) Hix. He’s a real John Wayne kind of character – hard as nails, quiet, always professional, smart -- and absolutely f**king determined to win this f**king war.
In addition to my duties as the legal advisor to the Future Plans directorate, I’m also assigned to the Stability Operations Team to coordinate Rule of Law efforts throughout the country. That means establishing working justice systems in all of the key areas of Afghanistan, which many people think is impossible. I’m not the one
that actually does that – my job is to coordinate all of the different agencies and people who are out there doing it, collect and assess data about the progress, and compare the progress with the overall campaign plan (i.e., comprehensive war effort) to make sure all of the programs are on track with what the Commanders expect. The cool thing about this part of the job is that I get to travel to the US Embassy and ISAF HQ a lot, and work with a whole range of interesting people including State Department Foreign Service Officers and Ambassadors, military officers from a variety of different disciplines, and directors of agencies & organizations like USAID and the United Nations. I am humbled by how many people – mostly civilians – are passionate enough about this issue to volunteer to come to Afghanistan (sans body armor and a big gun!) and do this work for years and years. Of course, trying to coordinate such a diverse group of people (each with a slightly different mission, motivation, and definition of success) is a challenge some days, but it’s an amazing experience. I don’t think there are words to express how much I absolutely LOVE this job. For the first time ever, I feel like I might actually be making a difference, however small, in the world, and my brain is always engaged.
Life here at North KAIA (Kabul International Airport – where our base is located) isn’t awful, but it sure as hell ain’t the Ritz Carlton. I live in a tent with about 20 other women … luckily, I have a bottom bunk. Bathrooms are a short walk away and actually have flush toilets and real showers! Sure, it’s a pain in the ass, but it’s manageable. Whenever I get frustrated, I just remind myself that there are lots of Soldiers living out in the villages, who haven’t seen running water or a bed in months. My work day usually starts at 0800 and I work every night until at least 1100, sometimes a lot later. The tent is really just the place I store my toothbrush and catch a few hours of sleep at night. There are two dining facilities (cafeterias) that I think are absolutely awesome, but that most of my American counterparts hate. There are tons of fresh vegetables, a
salad bar every day, lots of cheeses and meats and good crusty bread. I have no complaints (other than the lack of cold Pale Ale and a good Cabernet!).
I’ve taken a few pictures since getting here, but unfortunately I can’t get them posted to the blog from here. I think you can see them on my Facebook page (even if you’re not on facebook) via this link:
https://www.facebook.com/
Being away from Doug and the pups is hard, but Doug has been sending lots of pictures of the pups and emailing me tales of their adventures driving across the country. They’re on their way to the cabin right
now, which of course makes me insanely jealous (especially since I know he will find his way to the Moat at least once!!). The regular contact, even if only via email, helps us stay connected. One good
thing about working 16+ hours a day is that I don’t really have time to think about how much I miss them!
That’s it for this installment. Thanks everyone for the emails and Facebook posts. Nothing makes me happier than when I check my gmail or FB and see new messages from family & friends!
