Q: What are your living quarters like and how often to you have access to e-mail and telephones to keep in touch with family and friends?

A: Most of us are in two-man rooms with two beds and air conditioning. Some of us have paid for Internet in our rooms. Others go to another building where the Internet is free. There is a phone center beside the PX (the base store).

Q: What has surprised you the most about Iraq? Why?

A: What crazy drivers they are! There are no painted lines on roads and they drive where they want — even in the wrong direction at points.

Q: We have a picture of you handing out candy to a bunch of kids. Is this something individual soldiers do or is it encouraged as a practice across the unit? When is it done?

A: We only do that while our vehicles are stopped. We give soccer balls and even stuffed animals to help build relations with the Iraqis. And yes, it is encouraged.

Q: As a unit leader, you spend a lot of time in and around the Stryker vehicles. Are they performing as you expected?

A: The Strykers are performing great. All of our vehicle crews are doing outstanding jobs and the maintenance crews are doing a great job at keeping our vehicles ready to roll out on missions.

Q: Can you name one positive and one negative aspect of the vehicles you’ve discovered as applied to your current mission?

A: Positives: fast, agile armor. Safe. Negatives: Iraq’s back roads are narrow and it takes a good driver to get us around. Not just anyone can drive on the back roads.