With deployment to Iraq looming, the tempo of our training has increased. I now have nearly 50 soldiers in my platoon. The Army has already issued us our desert camouflage uniforms and new all-combat uniforms (ACUs); equipment is pouring into our supply and arms rooms. These days we spend more time in the field than in garrison, often embarking upon two-week exercises, returning for a week, and then going back into the field. We have concentrated on honing our field artillery skills, racing our Paladins across the countryside and firing hundreds of high-explosive shells. My platoon has fired the most rounds of any platoon in the battalion, a fact of which my soldiers are justly proud. I will be spending most of August and September in the field, preparing for our likely missions in Iraq. To this end, we will practice providing convoy security, patrolling, and establishing traffic control points.