(Ben Bloker/Stars and Stripes)

Iraq, January, 2009: Pvt. David Davis, an infantryman assigned to 2nd Platoon, Troop E, 5th Cavalry Regiment, recites security procedures during a pre-mission briefing at Forward Operating Base Kalsu in eastern Babil Province. The platoon, which had recently deployed to Iraq from Grafenwoehr, Germany, escorted a provincial reconstruction team observer to five polling sites.