In this interview, CPT Michael Padgett describes his experiences as the commander of a Convoy Security Company (CSC) during Operation Iraqi Freedom from January to November 2008. CPT Padgett started out as commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB) 3rd Battalion, 139th Field Artillery, receiving a notice of sourcing in May 2007. His mission was to reorganize his battery into a CSC attached to the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) for their deployment. CPT Padgett relates his experiences with the pre-mobilization training (PMT) process with his unit performing two separate 3 week Annual Training (AT) periods plus drill weekends in practicing required Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills. Upon his deployment into Iraq, CPT Padgett found his unit attached to the 176th Combat Service Support Battalion (CSSB) operating out of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Qayyarah (Q-West or "Key West") area to perform a new mission. In a short period of time, CPT Padgett has his company ready to start running convoy operations throughout northern Iraq. CPT Padgett commented at length on some of the differences between Regular Army and National Guard Soldiers, noting that his older Guard Soldiers had many valuable skills (like maintenance and engineering) that proved useful. CPT Padgett relates some of his personal growth experiences as a leader, describing his realization that, as a commander, he didn't have to do it all. After that realization, CPT Padgett practiced backing off from his subordinates and allowing them to take ownership and responsibility of a mission in order to foster professional growth. He shares some of his experiences as a combat arms officer successfully integrating females into a formerly all-male field artillery unit. In closing, CPT Padgett emphasizes the importance of building relationships and networking with peers, as well as resolving personal conflicts and identifying key strengths and weaknesses among his Soldiers.

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