We saw a significant increase in enemy activity and attacks in the recent months along main supply route (MSR) TAMPA in Iraq. Tensions were high on the ground and in the air. Improvised explosive device (IED) attacks were all too common and we lost a few aircraft due to enemy activity.

MG (Retired) Dollar arrived in Vietnam as a young lieutenant and quickly befriended a fellow Soldier. The Soldier who they called "Flash" was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and was a "hero in my eyes and in the Army's eyes," said Dollar. But a "Split-Second Decision" made during a firefight changed the life of the young Soldier.

There are probably a lot of people in my platoon that had the same mindset that I did when I came into the Army. I had a lot of male friends before I came into the military. I was used to the way that they talked and the way that many of them would joke around. I knew how to handle myself and even when the comments were inappropriate, it didn't use to bother me. But, in the Army it is different. And, you don't realize that when the joking is going on continuously, all day, every day that it becomes too much. It's going to wear down on you more than you think it would. It got difficult being around men, all day, everyday. It seems that everybody feeds off of each other. One person will start it by saying something, and it's easy for it to get out of control from there. I let it go for a while. Finally, it had worn me down to much. I wasn't enjoying coming to work and was uncomfortable in my own Platoon.

Part 1: SSG Spaid describes one of his Soldiers who was having a hard time after deployment. The Soldier has resorted to drinking. One night SSG Spaid receives a phone call that he had tried to jump off a balcony while drunk. Someone needs to go to the ER to sit with him and the MPs until he sobers up. SSG Spaid has already signed out on leave.

Part 2: SSG Spaid relates back to his actions, for him, it was an easy decision. He describes the conclusion of the evening and how the Soldier needed help and counseling. SSG Spaid discusses the impact on his wife and how sometimes the family has to "come second."

In May 2006, I proudly raised my right hand and joined the world's greatest fighting force, the United States Army. I finally achieved what I had worked so hard for through my four years of college, the rank of second lieutenant.

Part 1: SGT Purchase describes one of the female Soldiers in his Platoon whom he admired. She rose quickly into a leadership position and set the example for her Soldiers. After re-deployment, members of the unit move to different Army posts and positions. SGT Purchase finds out the female soldier had bone cancer, and later died. He weighs the decision to go to her funeral, realizing that his wife may misunderstand his motives for going and because financially it will be difficult.

Part 2: SGT Purchase discusses his choice to go to the funeral. He and his wife had to work through it and were able to find the financial means for both of them to go. The experience is very moving, as members of the unit came from all over. SGT Purchase's wife was able to understand the deep bonds developed between soldiers who face adversity alongside each other.

Part 1: SGT Dee talks about the close relationship Soldiers have after a deployment. He describes his reluctance to correct Soldiers that he is close to, but he understands the need to demonstrate the proper Respect. SGT Dee describes what this Respect looks like off duty.

Part 2: SGT Dee explains the reasons it is wrong for a Soldier to come to work while under the influence of alcohol. He describes his actions with the Soldier. It is the responsibility of Soldiers to look out for one another. SGT Dee talks about showing Respect, whether or not we think people "deserve" it.

Part 1: SFC Thompson talks about being asked to drive for a re-supply mission just before she redeployed. She agrees to the task. While on the way to the supported unit, the convoy is ambushed. One of the Turkish trucks is on fire and the driver is standing in the kill zone screaming for help. SFC Thompson is driving precious cargo and is ordered to "push through."

Part 2: SFC Thompson explains why she thought it was right to pick up this man. She asks, "What would I want someone to do for me?" SFC Thompson describes the challenges of doing the right thing even when worn down from a long deployment.

Part 1: SFC Schuler describes being off duty and seeing Soldiers "downtown." One night he and a fellow NCO observed a Soldier from their unit. The first time they saw him they said "Hi" and moved on. They saw him at the end of the night and observed that he was extremely drunk and heading toward his car.

Part 2: SFC Schuler decides to help the Soldier by taking his keys and driving him home. He discusses how important it is to act in a situation like this. He also talks about what might have happened if he'd done nothing, and the different ways to take action in a situation like this (calling a cab versus driving the Soldier home, etc.) He shares what motivates him as a Soldier and an NCO.

Part 1: SFC MacDonald describes being a medic at Bucca Prison in Iraq, the largest detention facility in that country in 2005. He describes the hostile conditions and the violence within the perimeter. He was responsible as a medic to care both for the MPs in his unit and for the detainees. Medics gave proactive health-care even to insurgents. One day, a detainee is severely injured during a fight and his friends carry him to the fence. SFC MacDonald describes the conflict between his desire and Duty as a medic to treat the man bleeding out on the other side of the fence, and his Duty as a medic and a Soldier to not enter the perimeter until it is secure.

Part 2: SFC MacDonald follows his unit SOP and does not move in because the area is not secure, he would be exposing other US Soldiers to harm. He discusses watching the detainee bleed out. He followed safety first. SFC MacDonald also reflects on the responsibility as a medic to prioritize care and ensure that they also protect themselves as an asset.

Introductory video on Selfless Service. Put the welfare of the Nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own. Selfless service is larger than just one person. In serving your country, you are doing your duty loyally without thought of recognition or gain. The basic building block of selfless service is the commitment of each team member to go a little further, endure a little longer, and look a little closer to see how he or she can add to the effort.

LT Kelly Leugers and her platoon were tired and ready to get back to their FOB. They had been on a mission and were a few hundred meters from their ECP. A local national (that turned out to be an Iraqi Army Soldier) flagged down her platoon and explained that a member of their group had been shot in the foot and needed medical attention. LT Leugers had her medic help this Iraqi Army Soldier and put a clean bandage on his foot. She realized that he was still in a lot of pain and needed additional medical attention. LT Leugers made a call to her TOC, reported the situation, and sought guidance regarding what action to take next. They brought the Iraqi man onto the FOB and provided him treatment. Despite the disdain from some folks on the FOB, LT Leugers knew that she had done the right thing.

CPT Foreman is an infantry Officer who is serving as the Rear Detachment Commander during his unit's deployment. CPT Foreman had prior service as an enlisted Soldier and had previously been deployed. He describes a situation that arose within the Rear Detachment: Situation: "You can't go into combat wondering if somebody is going to shoot you in the back because they know that you were looking at their wife." "It's time away, or Soldiers getting into a marriage early on, and not understanding and the wife not understanding what they were getting into, and they deploy I get a lot of both sides of it: the Soldier says his wife's sleeping around; the wives coming in and saying their Soldiers are sleeping around in theatre."

Introductory video on Respect. Treat people as they should be treated. In the Soldier's Code, we pledge to treat others with dignity and respect while expecting others to do the same. Respect is what allows us to appreciate the best in other people. Respect is trusting that all people have done their jobs and fulfilled their duty. And self-respect is a vital ingredient with the Army value of respect, which results from knowing you have put forth your best effort. The Army is one team and each of us has something to contribute.

A Soldier confessed to sexually assaulting SSG Mary Valdez while attending a single Soldiers retreat in Hawaii. She trusted him because he also served in the US Army. She is sharing her story to help fellow Army Professionals understand how to survive after being sexually assaulted.

SGM DeWitt attended the MAPET course and after listening to a guest speaker, he realizes he doesn't know who he really is anymore. This video shows SGM DeWitt discussing the effects of the MAPET course on his own identity.

Getting to his first unit and preparing to deploy, CPT Fladeboe said that because of miscommunication and toxic leadership, the situation was extremely difficult. Once deployed, the stressful climate along with personal problems began to weigh heavily on him.

Only one month into his Army career, SGT Mitchell was raped by another male Soldier. Embarrassed and ashamed, he hid the event from all those around him and attempted to cope by "self-medicating" with alcohol. Spiraling out of control, SGT Mitchell tried to commit suicide.

Part 1: PVT Gress describes a difficult situation regarding a member of her unit and her challenges respecting and working with that Soldier because she didn't seem to be a team player. We have named the Soldier PVT "My-Way." In addition, PVT Gress describes her understanding of Respect prior to coming in to the military.

Part 2: PVT Gress describes an ammo detail that she supported. Prior to leaving for the detail, everyone in the unit cleared their beds of linen for turn-in and cleaning. When PVT Gress returned from the detail very late, she found that some of the other Soldiers had made her bunk, PVT My-Way was one of them. PVT Gress describes how she was overwhelmed by PVT My-Way's actions, and how Gress came to Respect her.

Part 1: PVT Bandy describes her father's decision to join the Army. He told his daughters how he was able to serve as a medic and save people on the battlefield. PVT Bandy notices how her father became a better man in the Army. She talks about dealing with the news of his death in Iraq, but also the pride she had in him.

Part 2: PVT Bandy describes how her father defines Honor. She wanted to be like him and describes how his memory motivates her. One time in particular she was frustrated with being in Basic and was ready to quit. Her Dad's memory gave her the strength to press on. PVT Bandy describes how her father's buddies have honored his memory, too.

Part 1: PVT Anzaroot describes Rifle Qualification in Basic and marksmanship competition among the platoons. He discovers the other platoons have cheated by using extra rounds and swapping nametapes. His platoon discusses their options, and he considers whether they should cheat too.

Part 2: PVT Anzaroot and his platoon decide not to cheat, giving the competition their best effort. They end up winning. PVT Anzaroot talks about the importance of integrity and how that applies to the battlefield.

Part 1: PV2 Montes describes one of the Soldiers in his squad dropping her grenade at the range. He watched one of the Drill Sergeants instantly jump on the live grenade. PV2 Montes describes how the Drill Sergeant immediately got back up and calmly ordered the Private to continue training.

Part 2: PFC Hart and PVT Montes reflect more on the situation. PVT Montes reflects on why the little things matter and how he was inspired. PFC Hart talks about how if the grenade had gone off, the Drill Sergeant would have been killed while likely saving everyone else.