In this December 2012 interview, MAJ Patrick Biggs, US Army, Engineer; discusses his three deployments to Iraq with the 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) from 2003 through 2102 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). MAJ Biggs recalls his first rocket attack on his first deployment and describes how he was able to boost morale for his Soldiers. He talks about route clearances and mission planning on his second deployment and discusses how he was affected by the surge. He details his third deployment experience by describing his role as the brigade Commanders Emergency Relief Program (CERP) manager and shares some of ways he helped improve the local infrastructure. MAJ Biggs closes his interview by stating a lesson learned, "I found that the hardest part about being a leader is realizing when you need to make a decision and then making it. Everyone gets a lot of advice and input but eventually I have to be able to say that I have enough information and then figure out what we're going to do."

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