In this first of three interviews, Major Mark Boeke talks about his deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan, as the communications officer for 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment from September through October 2002 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He talks about how their predeployment training gave him a more holistic perspective on military operations, how the tight Ranger community made for experienced leaders and smooth transitions between units, and how coordination with conventional units often presented them with slightly different timetables, techniques and methodologies. Boeke also discusses the high priority Ranger units have with communications equipment, the lack of parochialism within the joint special operations task force, the cultural friction between conventional and special operations units, and the synergistic effects of multiple capabilities within the operating environment. He closes by emphasizing the exotic nature of Afghanistan, likening the place to Mars.

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