 Being commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry in 1975 , he was assigned to the 506th Infantry Regiment until 1979 . He then was an aide @-@ de @-@ camp to the commanding general of the Military District of Washington , before being sent to West Germany to serve with the 2nd Battalion , 30th Infantry Regiment . During Operation Desert Shield , Freakley worked on the war plans , and served as battalion executive officer of the 3rd Battalion , 7th Infantry Regiment . Operation Desert Storm found him serving as the operations officer of the 1st Brigade of the 24th Infantry Division . 
