Many men and women join the Marines because they are the outdoors-y types. They like to camp and hike and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. So it’s tough if a Marine who wants to be outside gets a desk job. Managing editor Tami Roleff talked with a Marine recently in Afghanistan who explains with how he copes with his desk job…
“I’m not the kind of person to be sitting inside all day; I just can’t do it.” Yet Private First Class Donnie Bachert works at a desk as a data help desk assistant, fixing anything computer related, and was recently named Marine of the Week by Regimental Combat Team-7, currently deployed to Afghanistan, for his work ethic and overall attitude. But whenever he can, Bachert gets outside, whether it’s playing basketball, or throwing around a baseball or football. Bachert’s favorite moment of his deployment to Afghanistan was when he was sent to another base, where he was able to see the beauty of the country. “It was on top of a hill, you can get up and turn around and see for 360 degrees, see miles and miles out. It was a beautiful sight and just peaceful.” Peaceful is a word not often used to describe Afghanistan. “You wouldn’t think so, but at times it can be.”
