I have experienced many stressful situations recently my organization, however none have compared to stress I experiences leading up to my deployment to Iraq. When I joined the Oregon National Guard, I was told to never go to the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (41 IBCT), made up of two Infantry Battalions, a Calvary Battalion, a Field Artillery Battalion, Support Battalion and the Headquarters. I was also told that I should especially never want to work in 2nd Battalion of the 162nd Infantry (2-162 IN BN), which was the strongest of the two Infantry elements in the brigade. After working in the state Joint Force Headquarters for eight years, because no other person in my career field would take the position, I was asked to take one for the team, and join 2-162 IN BN, as their Senior Human Resources Noncommissioned Officer. Two years leading up to the deployment I was continually tested, and these experience have ultimately made me a stronger leader.…