Mary Constantino - Army Strong Stories

What A Day!

Mary Constantino — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 20:33:00 GMT

By: Mary Constantino
We had a couple of very eventful days here in Afghanistan, all revolving around supporting a news embed from none other than Geraldo Rivera himself. We had to run around like crazy people supporting his live news report from FOB Fenty, where0 I usually work. He then went to one of our more remote bases, FOB Blessing (located in the Kunar province of Afghanistan and did his show LIVE from there the emxt day. It was alot of work but let me tell you, it was worth...read more

This is a small world!

Mary Constantino — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:23:00 GMT

By: Mary Constantino
I ahd a very nice surprise when I went to the Media Conference at Bargram Airfield the other day. I reconnected with another public affairs officer (who's in the US Air Force now as an officer). Ten years ago I was her company commander when she was a US Army Public Affairs Soldier! It never ceases to amaze me that no matter where I go, even Afghanistan, that I run into old friends form other assignments....read more

Media Conference At Bagram, Afghanistan

Mary Constantino — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 08:01:00 GMT

By: Mary Constantino
Oen ot the things I really enjoy about being a public affairs officer is interacting with the Afghan media. These are brave men and women who often risk their lives just reporting about what's going on here. I just attended a conference at Bagram Airfield at which some of the local media I work with attended as well. It's awesome watching the media standing up here and providing the news the Afghan people need. is is just one of the many things I...read more

Always Flexible

Mary Constantino — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:57:00 GMT

By: Mary Constantino
One thing the Army has helped me with is being able to adapt to change. Before I joined changing circumstances really used to throw me. Now I'm able to step back and look at things, developing a way to handle them without having a meltdown. That's critical in my job as a public affairs officer, especially while deployed. Nothing ever stays the same here. If I'm not trying to help media get some where to reprot on an evetn or unit, it's something...read more

Drying Out After the Flood

Mary Constantino — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 09:10:00 GMT

By: Mary Constantino
Well, the base has finally dried out after receiving over 6 inces of rain in four hours about three days ago. The airstrip was covered with about 2-3 feet of water for a while. I never thought it could rain so much in Afghanistan! The villages in the area had to deal with alot of flash flooding. Some of our Soldiers were involved in rescuing some of them. I'm very proud to be serving iwth men and women like them every day!...read more

Life On The Forward Operating Base

Mary Constantino — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 09:09:00 GMT

By: Mary Constantino
've been here at FOB Fenty (right by Jalalabad, Afghanistan) for about two months now. Life here isn't too bad. Most ot the people here live in what we call "B Huts", small plywood buildings scattered around the base. We have a small dining faciltiy (it's not home cooking but it's pretty good); no fast food places here! We also have a few small gyms, and of course a Post Exchange ( a small store that carries the basics of what we might...read more

The Work Never Ends

Mary Constantino — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:39:00 GMT

By: Mary Constantino
One thing about being a public affairs officer; there's always something to do. Today has been filled with writing press releases and planning where my Soldiers are going to be covering things. One of the things we do try cover is the growing capabilities of the Afghan Security Forces. These are brave people who standing up for their country, working to protect thier fellow Afghans from thosse who seek to destroy and harm them. We don't do...read more

Public Affairs Officer, 1st Brigade Combat Team 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

Mary Constantino — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 02:44:00 GMT

By: Mary Constantino
I've been here in Afghanistan for almost two months now. This is my third deployment; I've been to both Iraq and Kuwait previously. This is where the "rubber meets the road." I'm constanly in awe of the men and women I'm lucky enough to serve with over here. Their dedication to the mission and each other is inspiring. Later on I'll let you know how I happened into this career and way of life. I count...read more