The burn pit

Spc. Bobby Burton, from the 504th Military Police Company, winces as he leaves the “Hell Hole” — Camp Nathan Smith’s burn pit.

In order to dispose of their garbage, soldiers must brave thick black smoke from burning plastic and paper multiple times a day.

I made three trips through the smoke with Burton as he launched barrel after barrel of trash into the pit and hours later my lungs still don’t feel quite right.

“I’m getting this exposure annotated on my health record so I can get care when I get out of the Army,” Burton said. “The trick is to hold your breath as best you can.”