First Place Winner of the MacArthur Military Leadership Writing Competition for the CGSC Class 2009-02. True leaders create meaning out of difficult events or relationships, while others may be devastated or even defeated by them. Leaders come out of these experiences with something useful. Through a crucible type experience, leaders acquire new insights, new skills and new qualities of mind or character that make it possible to leap to a new, higher level. This is a firsthand account of a company in Iraq and the missions they were assigned, decisions made, and the troops they lost.