From July 2003 through July 2004, Major Charles Kirchmaier served as the regimental judge advocate with the 75th Ranger Regiment and deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He later served on the MNF-I Strategic Effects planning staff as the rule of law coordinator in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 2005 to December 2005. Shortly after Kirchmaier joined the 75th Ranger Regiment, he knew the regiment would be deploying. During the predeployment training, he facilitated training on the rules of engagement in addition to the traditional requirements. He provided insight into how the training could improve to better prepare the soldiers for deployment. Kirchmaier's primary mission was to be the regimental judge advocate, which entailed serving as the commander's legal advisor concerning operations, military justice, administrative law, contract issues and fiscal law. Kirchmaier discusses his typical daily routine and challenges he faced during his Afghan deployments. For Kirchmaier's deployment to Iraq, he was stationed in Baghdad and was mobilized as an individual augmentee. Kirchmaier's primary mission was as assigned to the US Joint Forces Command Joint Warfighting Center Lessons Learned program, and he was embedded into the MNF-I Strategic Effects planning staff under the rule of law cell. Kirchmaier's primary duty was to advise General Lynch on rule of law matters and ensure the coordination for Saddam Hussein's trial. Kirchmaier discusses media involvement and the attitudes of the Iraqi population during the course of the trial. After the trial was over, he redeployed. He discusses working with JAG personnel from other US military services and coalition forces. Kirchmaier offers lessons learned from all his GWOT deployments.

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