In this October 2012 interview, MAJ Keith Williams, US Army, Field Artillery (FA); discusses his deployment to Iraq as an intelligence officer and then transitioning into a battery commander for 5-82nd Field Artillery, 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division in 2008 through 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). MAJ Williams talks about his missions with training the Iraqi Army on basic tactics, techniques and procedures. He describes the interaction he had with the Iraqi Army and compares that interaction with the locals. He talks about his transition with assuming command in theater and describes how his Soldiers adjusted to the transition. He describes some difficult challenges he faced with keeping his Soldiers motivated and how he overcame that challenge by hosting sport events and grilling steaks. He details his handoff to the incoming unit and describes the challenges he faced during the handoff with transitioning the property books. MAJ Williams describes his deployment success with understanding the tribal network and building relationships with the locals and closes his interview by stating, "Don't rush into making decisions too quick, step back and think about things when you first take command."

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited