Major Mark Gilmore deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Charlie Company commander, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry from Fort Riley, Kansas. Preparing for a National Training Center rotation, his battalion began training in July 2003 relying on Joint Readiness Training Center observer-controllers and presumed lessons of stability operations. The most valuable training dealt with negotiations and the training was top-down, allowing company commanders little time for their own training. Gilmore's battalion met their equipment in Kuwait and road marched into Iraq, in stages, to Ramadi on or about 18 September 2003. 1-16 and its parent brigade executed a relief in place/transfer of authority with the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment, "Brave Rifles." Occupying FOB Junction City, Gilmore's company dealt with spartan conditions as they focused on operations outside the wire. Operationally, an aggressive patrolling program put Charlie Company into its Jazeera area of operations. Gilmore developed his own area notables or centers of influence, sheiks and a few school teachers. A shortage of interpreters complicated dealings with Iraqis, especially with respect to civil affairs projects. Commanding in Iraq for about a month, Gilmore handed off these local notables to his successor. There was no presence of Iraqi authority in the largely Sunni Jazeera area during Gilmore's tenure. He Gilmore reflected that there was a "fight the last war" orientation towards after-action reviews and the putative lessons of Bosnia or of the National Training Center. Applying historical examples like templates did not properly shape the battalion's operations in the emerging insurgency/counterinsurgency environment. More continuity of command would have benefited Gilmore and his company. His command tour ended with him in Iraq barely more than a month.

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