In this interview, MAJ Colin Mahle, US Army, Infantry; discusses his six deployments, four to Iraq and two to Afghanistan from 2004 through 2012 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). MAJ Mahle discusses taking command on his second deployment and describes the challenges he overcame during that transition and notes his deployment successes. He recalls a specific memory from his third deployment and talks about being deployed with his wife and sharing the same living quarters. MAJ Mahle recalls the day he decided to be a Ranger and notes his inspiration for making that decision. He shares a specific memory from all of his deployments and recalls a funny memory of an encounter he had with GEN Odierno. MAJ Mahle closes his interview by stating, "The biggest thing that I can take away and try to teach to junior leaders in the Army, is that you have to understand that things are never going to be like you think they are; they are never going to be exactly what you planned."

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