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By Spc. Philip Klein
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
BAGHDAD – Iraqi army and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers conducted a recruitment drive for the Neighborhood Guard program in Thawra 1 neighborhood of Baghdad May 30.
The Neighborhood Guard program is patterned after the successful Sons of Iraq (Abna al-Iraq) program to invest local Iraqi citizens with the responsibility of securing and protecting their neighborhoods from criminals and militant groups bent on defying the authority of the government of Iraq.
The recruitment drive was the first in Sadr City but would not be the last, said Capt. Nicholas Cantrell, a native of Topeka, Kansas, who is the fire support officer for 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armor Division.
"In the past few weeks, the Iraqi army passed out flyers to gage the interest in the local communities in Sadr City that comprise our area of operation – and the response was overwhelming and positive." said Cantrell whose unit is attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
The program is similar to the programs started in other areas of Baghdad and Iraq, said Cantrell. The recruits sign up for $300 a month salary and they are charged with the responsibility of serving the neighborhood in which they live and work.
"We plan on the current contract lasting for a three month evaluation process, at which point we will make appropriate adjustments if necessary and then contract the Guard for another three months," he explained.
The goal of the program is to transition the Guard into the Iraqi army and the national police, which doesn't have a strong presence in this area, he added.
"The program is being geared toward the needs of the Shia community," said Cantrell.
The program was important, said Lt. Col. Yeayah, a battalion commander in the 11th Iraqi Army Division, because it required the involvement of the local neighborhood to step up for their own security in the area that they know best.
"The local members of the Guard will know if any strangers come into this neighborhood, and if he breaks the law, the Guard will inform us and we will support them in stopping the criminals," he said. "And the people here will trust the Guard because he is from this town and a member of this community."
Yeayah pointed out that the day's recruiting drive was only the beginning.
"We will get more recruits as we expand the program throughout Sadr City. The people are willing to defend their town, and they are tired of all the gangsters around here threatening them with violence and extorting money," he continued.
"This is a great program, and its strength comes from the fact that it empowers the local community to stand up for themselves, their family, and their neighbor, and they know that the (Iraqi army) and (national police) will support them as they improve their lives and secure their future," said Cantrell.
The IA and MND-B expected to recruit approximately 100 local citizens for the program who, once selected, will begin training for their tasks and duties that come with the responsibility of securing their neighborhood from the threat of criminal activities.
| Date Taken: | 05.31.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 05.31.2008 09:34 |
| Story ID: | 19973 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 456 |
| Downloads: | 453 |
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