Bales enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 2001 , shortly after the September 11 attacks . He was initially assigned to the 2nd Battalion , 3rd Infantry of the 3rd Stryker Brigade , 2nd Infantry Division in Fort Lewis . He completed three tours in the Iraq War : twelve months in 2003 and 2004 , fifteen months in 2006 and 2007 , and ten months in 2009 and 2010 . During the 2007 tour he reportedly injured his foot in the Battle of Najaf , and during the 2010 tour he was treated for traumatic brain injury after his vehicle was rolled in an accident
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Robert Bales