In this October of 2012 interview, MAJ Chris Vitale, US Army, Infantry, discusses his deployment to Iraq as a company commander in 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 10th Mountain Division in 2006 through 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). MAJ Vitale described his experience enhancing security and increasing the capacity of the local security forces. He also discusses some of the challenges of command in Iraq at the time. MAJ Vitale later discusses a deployment to Afghanistan as a company commander in 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment during the summer of 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). He describes his mission as targeting the key insurgent personalities, conducting operations and really keeping pressure on the bad guys night-after-night. MAJ Vitale believes a key to his success in both Iraq and Afghanistan was because the battalion commanders empowered the company commanders and gave them ownership of their areas. MAJ Vitale stressed "the importance of empowering capable subordinate leaders" to accomplish the mission.

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