Wife, Mother Serves for Family, Country
(December 5, 2010) |
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Army Sgt. Autumn Hughes of Keyser, W.Va.,
serves with Task Force Phoenix in Afghanistan's Parwan province.
U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nadine Gonzalez |
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2010 – When Army Sgt. Autumn Hughes re-enlisted at Bagram
Airfield on Nov. 23, she renewed her commitment to the Army while remaining
dedicated to her role as a wife and mother.
This was the second re-enlistment for the 25-year-old Keyser, W.Va., native,
currently assigned to Task Force Phoenix with the 10th Mountain Division's 3rd
Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade.
One of her re-enlistment options was a two-year stabilization at her home
station, Fort Drum, N.Y.
“I re-enlisted for the stabilization and because I plan on staying in for 20
years,” said Hughes, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Task Force Phoenix
communications and information management shop. “I serve in the Army for the
protection of my family and my country.” |
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While this is her third deployment, it's the first time
Hughes has been deployed with her husband, Army Sgt. Anthony
Hughes Jr., a native of Syracuse, N.Y., who is a 10th Combat
Aviation Brigade intelligence clerk in Task Force Falcon. He
said deploying with his wife makes some things easier and
that he is proud of her and her sense of duty.
“I am extremely proud of what my wife is doing for our
country,” he said. “She has decided to stay in the Army
despite us having a child, and still wants to serve. I think
that it takes a very dedicated person to do this when given
the opportunity to get out because of us being [a]
dual-military [couple].”
Hughes said she enjoys her job in the Army because it allows
her the opportunity to meet and get to know a variety of
people. As a signal support system specialist, she helps to
set up the unit's computer systems. She runs cables,
connects printers, manages share portals and sets up radio
sets. It is her responsibility to take care of most things
that deal with communication.
With more than seven years in the Army, she said, she is
familiar with facing challenges and learning to overcome
them.
“I take challenges on with a positive attitude,” she said.
“If I don't know how to fix it, I ask questions. I'm never
afraid to ask questions.”
The couple's 11-month-old daughter, Summer, with is staying
with Autumn's mother while the soldiers are deployed.
“This is the first time I've had to [leave my daughter], and
I'm going to admit it is hard, but I know what I'm doing for
our daughter and one day she will understand why I had to do
it,” Hughes said. “There are times that are harder than
some, but I have to push those feelings onto the back burner
and keep my head in the game -– not only for myself, but for
my soldiers.” | |
By Army Spc. Amanda Brown
Task Force Phoenix
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2010
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