---
title: "9 things we miss from our Afghanistan deployments"
date: "2020-02-05"
modified: "2021-04-27"
authors:
  - name: "Tim Kirkpatrick"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/tkirkpatrick/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/lists/9-things-we-miss-from-our-afghanistan-deployments/"
categories:
  - "Afghanistan War"
  - "History"
  - "Join the Military"
  - "Military Culture"
  - "War History"
---

# 9 things we miss from our Afghanistan deployments

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17310495/origin.png>)

With possibility of a huge troop surge to Afghanistan coming from the Trump administration, We Are The Mighty asked several OEF combat vets what they missed most from their time "in the suck." Here's what they had to say.

---

### Related: 7 items every Marine needs before deploying

Thanks to the Facebook page "[Bring the Sangin Boys Back](<https://www.facebook.com/groups/522354547833352/>)" for contributing.

## 1. Afghan naan bread

Regardless of the rumors how the bread is pressed (by Afghans' feet) it was delicious.

Here they're just mixing the bread. (image via Giphy)

## 2. Band of Brothers

The lifelong friends you made in combat are priceless, and there's nothing else like it.

Yup. (images via Giphy)

## 3. Awesome nights

With a lack of electricity, there was no artificial illumination to spoil the night sky, it made the stars pop even more.

Not an Afghan night sky, but you get the point. (images via Giphy)

## 4. Low responsibility

You went on patrol, pulled some time on post, worked out, slept and...pretty much that's about it.

woke right up when sh\*t went down. (images via Giphy)

## 5. You got to blow sh\*t up

The best part of the job while serving in the [infantry](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/7-things-you-should-know-before-joining-the-infantry/>) was delivering the ordnance.

3/5 Get Some! (image via [Giphy](<https://giphy.com/>))

## 6. Firefights

Getting a chance to put all your tough training to use and put rounds down range at the bad guys was freakin' epic.

It was that fun. (images via Giphy)

## 7. Getting jacked

When you're stuck out in the middle of nowhere and have 24 different of high-calorie MREs to choose from, there's no better way to pass the time than hitting a gym made of sand bags, 2x4s, and engineer sticks.

1,2,... 12 (images via Giphy)

## 8. Movie night

Huddling around a small laptop watching a comedy or "Full Metal Jacket" was considered a night out on the town. And we loved it.

And felt like you're in a real theater... not really. (images via Giphy)

### Also Read: [How to make a movie theater with your smartphone on deployment](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-movies/how-to-make-a-movie-theater-with-your-smartphone-on-deployment/>)

## 9. Making memories

Although you we experienced some sh\*tty times, nothing beats looking back and remembering the good ones while having a beer with your boys.

To the good times! (image via Giphy)

## Bonus: The emotional homecomings

Leaving your family to deploy sucks, but coming home to them — priceless.

We salute all those who serve. Thank you! (images via Giphy) WATM wishes everyone to stay safe and watch your six. That is all.

## Author
Tim Kirkpatrick entered the Navy in 2007 as a Hospital Corpsman and deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines in the fall of 2010. Tim now has degrees in both Film Production and Screenwriting. tim.kirkpatrick@wearethemighty.com