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Above and beyond: Civilian spends years in Iraq, reluctantly returns

  • Published
  • By Danielle Gregory
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  For most people volunteering isn't something that is done because they are told to do so, but rather because they want to.
   The first time Tinker Army & Air Force Exchange Service employee Josie Alger deployed as a civilian to the war zone, she never thought it was something she would find herself doing repeatedly.
   "I volunteered to go in 2003. When I saw it on the TV the first time I was just curious really, I told my kids that I had to go even though they asked me not to," said Ms. Alger.
   Five years later, Ms. Alger has found herself deployed three different times. The first time she went to Kuwait, the second she was in Iraq and this last time she was in Baghdad. She recently returned from her last location after being there for a two-year stretch. She said this last time was different from the rest because it was constant incoming attacks.
   "In 2007 everyday we had incoming, incoming. At first I didn't know what was going on because I had never experienced this before. We were sitting out in front of the BX one day eating lunch and they said incoming, incoming and I saw the back of the BX get hit and I just froze... I couldn't run even though my friend was telling me we had to go. I was just in shock," said Ms. Alger.
   While "over there" Ms. Alger was a store manager. She said that they tried to get everything for the military people because in Baghdad no one is allowed downtown. It is a red zone. That means the military are depending on AAFES and the people who send them packages.
   "It's hard for us to get all of the merchandise that they need because it takes so long to get it. Instead of me buying at the exchanges, I let the military have it and I had my kids send me packages," said Ms. Alger.
   She said the most popular items they carried over there were electronics while she was there. She thinks that is a way for them to take their mind off of everything and have something to do.
   "I enjoy going there. When the military comes into the store they look so happy like they feel like they are at home and we try to make them feel that way. A lot of them will come up just to talk to us," said Ms. Alger.
   Ms. Alger said she definitely plans on going back. The only reason she came home this last time was due to a knee injury and a surgery that she will have to have in the states.
   "When I got home this time I was happy to be here, but at the same time I was sad. It was like leaving my second family," said Ms. Alger. "To me this last time was different because there were things happening everyday and a lot of people are scared to go but I want to go back."