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SISIP Financial Services Employees Take the Challenge!
By Joyce Sharp
 Looking forward to going home, this was our end of tour dinner. L-R Monique Loranger, Tamara Lindsay, Tracey Elmore, and Tina Bourdos. |
This past February, Monique Loranger and Sherri-Anne Knauer, two SISIP Financial Services employees, returned from taking the challenge of working in Afghanistan. A third, Benoit Pronovost had just left to begin the challenge.
Monique was deployed to Camp Julien (pop. 2000), where she worked as a cashier, Sherri-Anne worked as a travel coordinator at Camp Warehouse (pop. 500). I thought it would be interesting to learn what time spent at these camps would be like.
How long did you have to recuperate once you arrived (total flight time was 22 hours)?
M: We had the day off after we arrived.
S: There was a longer stopover in Camp Mirage that afforded us some recuperation time following the airbus flight. Upon arrival in Camp Julien, we attended briefings for about three hours. Then I was transported to Camp Warehouse. I had about two days to organize my belongings before beginning work. I had no problems adjusting physically to the new location.
What time did your day usually begin/end?
M: Times were not always the same but a normal workday would be anywhere from eight to 12 hours.
S: The scheduled office hours were 0800 to 1900. However, I was usually in the office by 0700 and many days we didn’t leave the office until 2100.
Was it structured like a typical work week here (five days on / two days off)?
M: Not quite. You were lucky if you got a day off every month. My first day off was 35 days into the tour.
S: No. Travel coordinators generally worked seven days a week. I had my first day off around mid-October. I had three or four more before I took my leave in December. Sunday mornings we usually followed the military Sunday routine, so the office didn’t open until 1200. Often, we worked Sunday mornings as well.
How did you spend Christmas day?
M: I worked.
S: I was in Spain with my family for my Home Leave Travel Assistance (HLTA). We sat on the beaches of the Mediterranean and ate pizza.
What did you do during your free time?
M: I did a lot of cross-stitching, lay out in the sun and cleaned my room. I also got off the camp a few times.
S: I learned Spanish either on my own or with some new friends from the Spanish contingent, in anticipation of visiting Spain for my HLTA.
What did you do for entertainment?
 Left to right Benoit Pronovost, Sherri-Anne Knauer, Walter Kendall from Kingston, Cynthia Mallaley from Petawawa, and Martin Grenier from Montreal. |
M: I watched movies, played pool, called home and used the Internet.
S: I had time to read a few books, and watch a few movies. I played pool, cards, or board games with some friends in the camp. Occasionally, one of the other nations would host a concert or a costume party or something and all would be invited to attend.
Did you make new friends and do you stay in touch with them?
M: I made quite a few friends. The girls in my tent were my closest friends and still are. If they hadn’t been there I probably would have given up at some point.
S: Yes, I made some friends from Germany and Spain and we still e-mail each other. I also have some wonderful new Canadian friends that I keep in touch with as well. I have actually visited with some of them since returning home.
What was your most difficult experience at the camp?
M: There were a lot of very difficult things I had to deal with, but one that stands out was the day after Christmas when I realized that I had spent Christmas so far away from my son, and family.
S: Leaving! I had a wonderful tour and it was difficult to say good-bye to my new friends and my great job.
What was your best experience at the camp?
M: Leaving! I mean learning, learning how far my limits could be pushed and surpassing them.
S: I had many wonderful experiences, but one of the best would be the hour-long ride in a German helicopter. The Civil-Military Co-operation teams were flying over their area of responsibility and there were extra seats so we were invited. The ramp in the back was open the entire time and I was sitting in the last seat, so I could look out over the countryside as we flew. It was truly incredible!
What advice would you offer to anyone who is thinking of going to work in Afghanistan?
M: Work as a team and become friends with people you’re there with. You will not make it through six months if you only talk to yourself.
S: Just do it! I found this to be a great opportunity for professional and personal growth. I learned so much and have many wonderful memories. On our training for the tour, we were told we needed to be flexible. I can't emphasize this enough. The conditions were somewhat extreme and the military environment on tour is quite different.
Additional Comments:
M: It was overall a great experience. I appreciate things in my life so much more than before. I have to say thank you to everyone who was there for me, and still are. The tour is what you make it.
