Deployment hasn’t stopped Maj. Varinka Ensminger’s training (18 Photos)
A year-long deployment in Afghanistan hasn’t slowed former National Guard Bureau marathon champion Capt. Varinka Barbini Ensminger at all. In fact, the 32-year old from the Kentucky Army Guard is living life at a faster tempo than ever.
As the medical services officer in the Kandahar Agri-business Development Team, Ensminger worked at a frenetic pace throughout her deployment. on a daily basis, she interacted with Afghan officials as one of the Army’s primary liaisons to three districts in southern Afghanistan while simultaneously maintaining her national-level running ability.
During the last few months, she also became the coach for 28 runners some 8,000 miles awaym, who were training for the Boston Marathon.
National Guard Agri-business Development Teams promote sustainable agricultural practices in Afghanistan and allow Guardsmen to use their civilian-acquired skills. In her civilian occupation, Ensminger is a police officer with her hometown Lexington, Ky., Metro Police Department and she has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Marshall University.
“I made every effort to get the most out of the deployment,” said Ensminger, whose deployment concluded in late December. “I built a lot of local relationships and friendships. I hope I had a positive impact on the people I met and improved their quality of life.”
