Tag Archives: security

Kids have a way of bringing out the humanity in a war’s fighters. They center us and remind us that our decisions can affect completely innocent children. I always love seeing smiles on the faces of these Afghan children.

Spc. Jody Hyde, a military policeman with 58th Military Police Company, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, befriends a young Afghan boy during a community circulation patrol. Soldiers from 58th MP Company and their Afghan Uniformed Police partners from Police Sub Station 16 went out into their community to connect with the people.

For many Afghans, they’ve never seen an American Soldier up close. Obviously, the many things we wear while on patrol invite questions and curiosity from the local populace. And no slice of society is more inquisitive than a nation’s youth.

Cpl. Justin McDonald, a military policeman with 58th Military Police Company, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, allows young Afghan children to get a look at his gear. McDonald and his fellow MPs, along with their Afghan Uniformed Police partners from Police Sub Station 16, went out into the community to connect with the people. I hope he’s paying close attention or he’ll find that some of those curious attachments may be missing when the kids are gone!

Over the next few days, I’m going to present a few photos taken by SPC April York of interactions between the Afghan people and our troops. I think it’s important to see these interaction. Remember these links when you here from people who say that our troops are “terrorizing women and children in the dark of night” or similar ignorant statements.

The fact is that our troops care about making Afghanistan a better place. The kids are innocent in all this and it’s important that young adults and children understand that WE are not the threat.

Pfc. Jessica Dostie, a military policewoman with 58th Military Police Company, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, hands a toy ring to a young Afghan girl. Dostie and her fellow MPs, along with their Afghan Uniformed Police partners from Police Sub Station 16, were in the community of to reach out to the people.