Sam Rogers and Danielle Rogers
Recorded
August 24, 2020
23:05 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
ddv000129
Description
Sam Rogers (34) talks with his wife, Danielle "Dani" Rogers (33), about why he joined the Army, his three tours of Afghanistan, and life as a civilian.Subject Log / Time Code
Sam Rogers (34) says his desire to join the Army began with seeing the September 11th attacks on television. He remembers feeling furious and sad and says he wanted to be part of the reason this never happens again.
Sam says he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009. He says it was exciting and terrifying. He says he was able to shine in his field and help people.
Sam says his unit sustained many casualties with 40 soldiers being killed. He says there was a rash of suicides during and after this tour. Sam talks about survivor's guilt.
Sam talks about his 2nd tour of Afghanistan. He says he was seeking closure but did not find it. He says he looked after his troops as if they were his kids.
Sam says he left the Army in 2013. He says he was lost and could not find purpose. He says meeting Dani Rogers (33) was the single best thing that happened to him.
Sam says he accepted a 3rd deployment to Afghanistan in 2015, while Dani was pregnant. Sam says by this time he was becoming aware of having emotional issues.
Sam talks about coming home and going back to college as a pre-law major. He talks about connecting to the study of AUMF (Authorization for Use of Military Force of 2001), the policy that sent the United States to Afghanistan.
Sam talks about the death of one of his former soldiers, Alex, in Somalia. Dani asks what Alex was doing in Somalia. Sam talks more about the AUMF policy.
Sam says he now worries that the war in Afghanistan will never go away, that it is the new normal. He says he does not want his children to grow up and still be fighting this war.
Sam calls the invasion of Afghanistan righteous and necessary. He says he is still pro-war.
Participants
- Sam Rogers
- Danielle Rogers