During a routine patrol in Sadr City on 04 APR 2004, Soldiers in Lieutenant Shane Aguero's platoon, members of Charlie Company, 2-5 CAV, 1st Cavalry Division, encounter hostile members of Jaish al Mahdi (JAM) [Shia militiamen loyal to Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr].

As an incoming company commander conducting my change of command inventories, I soon discovered there were a number of unaccounted pieces of government property and equipment. I noted this and brought it to the attention of the outgoing commander in an effort to locate the missing items.

Early one Tuesday morning in Iraq, months of work gathering intelligence came to a head. With the help of a valued informant and weeks of patrolling, my company knew the identities and whereabouts of seven members of an improvised explosive device (IED) cell.

Early one Tuesday morning in Iraq, months of work gathering intelligence came to a head. With the help of a valued informant and weeks of patrolling, my company knew the identities and whereabouts of seven members of an improvised explosive device (IED) cell.

During OIF, my battalion was operating in the Salah a Din Province. The majority of daily operations were conducted at company level or below. After about 9 months of combat operations, many in the ranks suffered from the fatigue and frustration often associated with combat.

During a combat deployment, Justin Watt discovered that his fellow Soldiers had committed heinous war crimes. He reported the crimes to John Diem, an NCO that he trusted.

As an instructor for an academy, 1SG Godkin said he had a female subordinate who was flirtatious but never crossed the line verbally or physically in an inappropriate way. An "old-fashioned kind of guy" with his own set of morals and values, he struggled with the situation and whether he should act and file a report or not take action at all.

The firefight was between the Taliban and the Afghan security forces 70 miles north of CPT Maxwell's position. The available helicopters at the scene had already been in the air for six hours, and the pilots and crews were fatigued. CPT Maxwell had a decision to make.

Great leaders are the backbone of the Army Profession, and their decisions negate the success or failure of every mission. Having served under General Ray Odierno and COL (Retired) Jim Hickey, LTC (Retired) Russell said he was fortunate to have great leadership that allowed him to independently lead, but also knew when to "pull in on the leash."

Justin Watt served in the 101st Airborne Division's 502nd Infantry Regiment and deployed to Iraq in 2005. During this deployment, members of his platoon raped a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and executed her and her family. Justin not a witness to this act, but once told about it by a fellow Soldier he reported the incident. He is sharing his story to help others understand the importance of serving honorably.

The following video is an excerpt from Stand Strong: Serving Honorably in Combat.

Our task force deployed to Kuwait in November 2002 in support of Operation DESERT SPRING. Essentially, we were part of a brigade combat team deployed to deter Iraqi aggression. Despite this deterrence mission, everyone in the brigade knew we would make up part of the invasion force to topple the Iraqi regime once the President made the decision to go to war.

After a long series of unfortunate events, SSG Koschtial deliberates whether to update his family plan for the sake of his daughter and remain in the Army, or leave the Army altogether.

SPC Jarett Wright was hazed and sexually assaulted while deployed to Iraq in 2010. He is sharing his story to prevent similar acts from happening to others.

Dean and I were newly-minted lieutenants assigned to separate battalions in the same brigade. We went to college together, graduated airborne school and the officer basic course together, and he was a frequent guest at my my dinner table.

After his deployment to Iraq where he was a sniper team leader, SGT Powers noticed his attitude and the way he responded to the ins and outs of daily life had changed. The Soldiers in his unit and his leadership noticed, too. With the unwavering support from his chain of command, SGT Powers was able to work through the issues and says, "I'm better now."

My team leader and I caught an HVT (high value target). We were not part of the raid element, but we were assigned as the outer cordon element and my squad leader was pretty upset about it. So, he was sitting in the humvee sulking and getting all upset. Instead of saying, "It's the mission, we need to do the right thing" - he was upset about it. So, my team leader and I were out in the courtyard and caught the guy (the HVT) coming over the wall. It was kind of the right place at the right time. And at the end of the day, the Squad Leader has to report to the First Sergeant and he tells him, "my guys were sitting in the humvee sulking, and I was on the other side of this wall and caught this guy. He landed in my lap and I caught him." "He was decorated and given a coin by General Petreaus. That's wrong. The fact that he would lie about it. So, you were put into a situation of - do you lie to cover up for this guy? Where do your loyalties lie?

Fred Wintrich was a battalion executive officer just before the surge in Iraq. His unit operated in a hotly contested area, averaging 11 direct fire contacts a day over the entire deployment. Before taking leave, he handed his responsibilities to the S3, MAJ Rob Salome.

I witnessed a Drill Sergeant (DS) in my unit circumvent the Army's system to steal over $7,000 dollars. DS Whales was an outstanding non-commissioned officer. He was assigned to a Training Post and loved his job. He enjoyed very much being a Soldier, training Soldiers, and above all, being a Drill Sergeant.

CDT Kelly Kingma reported her tactical NCO for unprofessional conduct. After several investigations, it was found that he photographed and filmed females without their knowledge and consent. He pled guilty to one charge and eight specifications of a violation of Article 120 of military law for "indecent acts." She is sharing her story to help leaders understand the importance of supporting those who come forward with an allegation of wrongdoing.

CDT Kelly Kingma reported her tactical NCO for unprofessional conduct. After several investigations, it was found that he photographed and filmed females without their knowledge and consent. He pled guilty to one charge and eight specifications of a violation of Article 120 of military law for "indecent acts." As a two time Ironman finisher there is no doubt Cadet Kelly Kingma is "tough." Throughout this two year ordeal the harsh criticism she received from her peers for reporting a competent and well liked career NCO for these unprofessional acts bothered her most. She is sharing her story to help leaders understand the importance of supporting those who come forward with an allegation of wrongdoing.

During Operation IRAQI FREEDOM I, I commanded a tank company in the Third Infantry Division. After the Division seized Baghdad, we remained in the city for approximately six weeks. The city was relatively peaceful compared to the violence levels of 2005-2007.

SSG John Diem served in the 101st Airborne Division's 502nd Infantry Regiment and deployed four times during his 11 years in this unit. He is sharing his story to help others understand and effectively deal with combat stress.

Justin Watt served in the 101st Airborne Division's 502nd Infantry Regiment and deployed to Mahmudiyah, Iraq which was one of the three corners known as the Triangle of Death. The Triangle of Death was arguably the most dangerous region in Iraq. It was patrolled by just 1000 U.S. Soldiers who coped with more than a hundred attacks against them each week. He is sharing his story to help others understand the importance of being equipped to leverage mental, emotional, and physical skills in order to overcome adversity.

I was an Airman assigned to a Special Operations Element (SOE). I spent most of my career as a SOF Enabler and enjoyed working in this environment. As on previous operations, we found ourselves at an undisclosed location prosecuting the Global War on Terrorism.

Justin Watt served in the 101st Airborne Division's 502nd Infantry Regiment and deployed to Iraq in 2005. During this deployment, members of his platoon raped a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and executed her and her family. Justin not a witness to this act, but once told about it by a fellow Soldier he reported the incident. He is sharing his story to help others understand the importance of serving honorably.