Twelfth

“For 11 months and 12 days, I lead the signals intelligence collection operations in the Kiruk province of Iraq. We were the most productive shop in the country for the year, despite the fact that we were one of the smallest teams working in the region. I spent a year working 12+ hour shifts, with no weekends or holidays, an entire year away from my wife. We worked to stabilize the region by ending sectarian violence and locating those responsible for rocket and mortar attacks. I managed to get through it safely (despite a few close calls), but I lost a friend that I’ll never forget. On November 12^th, I finally boarded my homebound flight – all I wanted was to see my wife. After two days of travelling, we descended from the plane and lined up in formation for a quick ceremony. The moment we were dismissed, I ran to my wife, Laura, to hold her and kiss her again. I grabbed my gear and we ran to the car, hand in hand. A few days after I got back, Laura went back to work, though I still had time off. I missed the daily stress, but nowhere near as much as I’d missed my wife.” – Faysal Akbik

Bio: My family is Syrian but I was born in Chicago and grew up in Atlanta. I graduated Emory in 2014, majoring in Biology and Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies. I am currently working as the Islamic Civilizations Studies Program Administrative Assistant at the Laney Graduate School while I wait for medical schools to send me some love. I enjoy photography and cooking. Fun fact: If you ever see a blue or red toy drone fly or possibly crash around the quad-that’s me.