CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan -- Afghanistan left such an impression on one Marine, she requested a second tour the very next year. Cpl. Jaymie Ahumada, a native of Thorton, Colo., is spending another seven months deployed with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward).
She deployed with CLB-1 at the same time last year. The base is the same and the unit is the same, but the duties she performs and the country she is in have undergone some major changes in the last year.
Ahumada, who is a motor transport operator by trade, spent her first deployment with a motor pool, conducting combat logistics patrols to deliver supplies and other logistical assets. For her second deployment, she requested to work in the company office.
In fact, Ahumada extended her enlistment just for the opportunity to experience the country again, but in a different environment. She then made the decision to re-enlist.
So what motivates a Marine, newly-married with a combat deployment already under her belt, to raise her hand to do it all again? Big expectations for her future, high standards for herself and dreams of something more all motivated her to request a second tour in Afghanistan.
“I want to be put on a meritorious sergeant board,” Ahumada stated, with more than a hint of confidence. “Then I want to work toward becoming a commissioned officer.”
Armory custodian, safety NCO, armory NCO for training, camp commandant assistant, company training NCO, legal and administrative responsibilities all fall under Ahumada’s realm of duty. She takes on responsibility without hesitation. She trains Marines and helps them in their careers, both on and off deployment, in order to be better. She takes her job seriously. Her go-getter attitude and hard work ethic are well-known around the camp.
Her superiors constantly ask her to go above-and-beyond her traditional duties, to which she responds with gusto and diligence.
Ahumada knows deployment and the hardships it brings, but she saw it as her duty to come back and continue to lead Marines. She volunteered for Afghanistan. Some might call her crazy; others call her a heck of a leader.