At the time of this interview, Major Hans-Jorg Dochtermann was a veteran of two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the first from January to July 2003 as the battalion fire support officer for 3-7 Infantry, part of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division; the second from January 2005 through January 2006 as the commander of Bravo Battery, 1-41 Field Artillery. He discusses his predeployment training and additional training they underwent in theater; the major combat phase of OIF; the effects of combat losses on the unit; how US soldiers were received by Iraqi civilians; the conduct of counterinsurgency operations, either by default or by design; the issue of armored vehicles and adequate protection against IEDs; how OIF is portrayed by various media outlets; and his dealings while in theater with local Iraqi officials. Dochtermann also talks about family support for both of his deployments; communications with families back home; living conditions in Iraq and Kuwait; a wide variety of leadership issues; as well as his recommendations for how cultural awareness can be improved.

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