Q: What is your job in the Army?

A: My job in the Army National Guard is a combat medic. I am the only medic for my platoon. I help maintain the health and wellness of my platoon. I provide training and knowledge to the combat lifesavers in my platoon.

Q: When did you graduate from Kent and with what degree?

A: I have not graduated from Kent State yet. I am pursuing a pre-med and biology degree and plan on continuing that when I return home.

Q: When did you join the Army?

A: I joined the Ohio Army National Guard March of 2007.

Q: How long have you been in Afghanistan?

A: I have been in Afghanistan for a month now, but I have been away from home since early Aug. 2011 due to having our annual training and our mobilization, which lasted until the end of October.

Q: Can you walk me through a typical day in Afghanistan?

A: We don’t really have an average day here. Every day is different depending on our mission for that day or week.

Q: What do you usually eat on a day-to-day basis?

A: For what we eat here, the food is not very good. It’s usually hit or miss. Unlike other bases or military installation, the food is not very nutritional here. But they are trying to build a new dining facility and (are) bringing in contractors to handle our food, which will hopefully make things a little better.

Q: Other than family and friends, what do you miss the most?

A: The thing I miss the most is my big comfy bed!

Q: What keeps you entertained?

A: We try to keep each other entertained by working out, playing games, watching movies. It also keeps us entertained when we get mail; it’s one of the best things, no matter how big or small.

Q: What’s the weather like?

A: The weather lately has been cold and raining a lot. If it’s not snowing or raining, it is cloudy out.

Q: Are you always wearing your uniform?

A: Yes, we are always in uniform. Civilian clothes are not allowed.

Q: What time is it there right now? (Eastern Standard Time: 12:44 a.m.)

A: Right now it is 10:07 a.m. We are nine and a half hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Q: Is there anything special you’ve learned while being there? Something you didn’t know or expect before?

A: I would not say I have learned anything new, but I did not expect to have so many civilians from all over the world on base.

Contact Aubrey Johnson at [email protected].