As a new acquisitions officer I was assigned to a major command and placed in charge of regional contracting. It was a dream job because foreign travel was involved. Often I was able to take care of business within a few hours and catch some of the local flavor before departing the next day.
Our unit was less than 60 Days from redeployment back to CONUS. Insurgent activity was naturally increasing as they attempt to rattle or challenge the election process that is about to happen, as well our capabilities and authority within our sector of South East Baghdad.
During OIF, my company was operating in Northern Iraq. We had been on the ground in Iraq for one month and everyone finally knew their way around and what was going on. We made the necessary contacts on the base for maintenance, construction and other supporting activities.