In this September 2014 interview, MAJ Louis-Philippe Hammond, US Army, Engineers, discusses his deployment to Iraq as a platoon leader for Company B, 70th Engineer Battalion, 3d Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 1st Armored Division in 2005 through 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). MAJ Hammond talks about reporting to the battalion commander on all issues related to mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability. He describes how he came to the platoon right before a National Training Center (NTC) rotation and talks about some issues he dealt with since the platoon was re-deploying again after only nine months. He discusses some challenges he faced and shares how his Soldiers came together and performed under the circumstances. He shares a specific memory of the bond he developed with is Soldiers and discusses the handoff to the incoming brigade. MAJ Hammond closes his interview by stating, "It doesn’t matter what branch you are. It doesn't matter what rank, sex, gender or religion you are. When a team deploys and it goes right, the bonds that are created there are better than any other situation you will ever face in the military. Having deployed four times now, the platoon, my company, my staff as an personnel officer (S1), my company as a commander, my team as a plans officer, because of the circumstances, whether it's being shot at or working 24-shours a day for nine days straight or for however long, you build such a tight bond that it immeasurable. It is something to be treasured, valued, and respected."

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