Just before a mission one night. My new Platoon Sergeant is the guy second to the left. Far left and right are squad leaders and then there is Ortiz, one of my Vehicle crew guys being crazy. Its a good picture though. On another note, I want to relate a story. A soldier is about to depart this place, heading back home. He gives up his spot on an earlier flight to a friend and takes his friend's last patrol. He is waiting at the airport here for a flight to take him out of here. Mortar attack. He is killed. This just happened recently. I guess thats war.