In this interview CPT (P) Renato Vieira discusses his deployment to Afghanistan in 2009. Originally CPT (P) Vieira was slated to go as the chief of operations (CHOPs) for the 709th MP Battalion. As soon as they hit ground in Afghanistan CPT (P) Vieira was notified that he would be working instead in the Operational Coordination Center Region (OCCR). In this new position he was charged to partner with and teach the Afghan National Police (ANP), Afghan National Army (ANA), and National Directorate of Security (NDS). After six months of being the officer in charge (OIC) at the OCCR, CPT (P) Vieira moved to working solely with the ANP at the 5th RTC which fell under the Department of State. In this job he focused more on operations occurring in the 505th Zone and partnering with the ANP. CPT (P) Vieira states that after his two deployments he clearly knows that he will make the Army a career. The reason for this is the Soldiers. He says they work so hard and are such heroes. They are the reason he serves; there is no place he would rather be.

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