‘I Daydreamed About Being a Hero’
For years, he waited to go to Afghanistan, to use his training, to prove himself. Now he tries to define ‘why.’
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DonateStephen Caldwell served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 2011 to December 2019. He served as an infantry machine gunner and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He has a bachelor’s degree in history and political science, as well as a master’s in education. He’s an avid reader, and his favorite authors are Sebastian Junger and Cormac McCarthy. He teaches middle school social studies and lives in Connecticut with his wife, newborn son, and two dogs.
For years, he waited to go to Afghanistan, to use his training, to prove himself. Now he tries to define ‘why.’