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Military Topics: Restrepo Questions 1. In May 2007, the men of Second Platoon, Battle Company, began a 15 month deployment in the Korengal Valley in Eastern Afghanistan. What is this posting considered?

2. What do the soldiers believe about the Korengal Valley as the helicopters fly them into their base?

3. Why does Captain Kearney believe that it is going to be difficult to push out the insurgency from the area?

4. How do the soldiers describe finding out that Private First Class Juan “Doc” Restrepo had been shot and killed?

5. Why was the United States Army in the Korengal Valley?

6. Why did the Army build “Outpost (O.P.) Restrepo?”

7. Early on, why do many of the soldiers not like calling their outpost “O.P. Restrepo?”

8. Why does Captain Kearney force his men to go on patrol, even though he knows that it is tough?

9. When the soldiers are on patrol, they question one citizen about his hands, and make another sit on his hands while they are questioned. Why do they do this?

10. Why are the soldiers more fearful at night at “O.P. Restrepo?”

11. How do the soldiers react to being in a firefight with the Taliban?

12. Why did Captain Kearney hold meetings with the local elders?

13. Why do you think the Americans will not give the Afghanis money for the cow that had to be killed?

14. What are some of the things the soldiers do to fill their down time? Why do you think they do these activities?

15. What was different about the Taliban during Operation Rock Avalanche, according to Captain Kearney?

16. What was the expectation during Operation Rock Avalanche in terms of the enemy?

17. Why does Captain Kearney get nervous before going out on Operation Rock Avalanche?

18. Why was Operation Rock Avalanche not a surprise for the Taliban?

19. Why does Captain Kearney regret the air strike he ordered on day one of Operation Rock Avalanche?

20. What was the purpose of Lieutenant Colonel Ostlund speaking to the Afghan locals?

21. Before the main fight began, what was the feeling of the American soldiers?

22. During the combat footage during Operation Rock Avalanche, what does the combat look like?

23. During the combat footage, how does the soldier react to seeing Sergeant Ruggles’ body?

24. Why does Sergeant Rice believe Sergeant Ruggles’ death was especially tough for the soldiers to take?

25. How has Operation Rock Avalanche impacted the soldiers, even after they have returned home?

26. What happened to Chosen Company?

27. What is Captain Kearney’s view on what happened to Chosen Company?

28. What do the soldiers do to mourn soldiers on the anniversary of their death?

29. What does Captain Kearney believe was the most important event in the Korengal Valley during their time there?

30. What happened in the Korengal Valley in April, 2010?