(c) Roger Leo

Staff Sgt. Travis J. Palmer, 31, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., holds a squad briefing before the Scout Platoon of Dawg/HHC Co. 1-8 Cav head out on patrol. The soldiers talk about what they will do, the route they will take, order of march, and what they wil do things fall apart. This day's mission ... to deliver backpacks to a school, and to deter rocket and mortar fire aimed at Baghdad's Green Zone. The first involves lots of happy kids; the second entails hours of sitting and watching.