Iraqis step up at volunteer drive

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor...... read more read more

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), watch as an Iraqi man does sit-ups at an all-girls high school in Dar Sud, Dec. 11, during a volunteer drive.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.17.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. James Hunter 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

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Sgt. James P. Hunter
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division Public Affairs

BAGHDAD—Local citizens stepped up to answer their nation's call for a standardized, uniformed police force to be available when their neighbors and fellow Iraqi citizens called for help.

A three-day volunteer drive was held, Dec. 10-12, in the Dawoodi, Dur Sud and Andulus muhallahs (neighborhoods) of northwest Baghdad to recruit candidates.

They came in swarms, nearly 100 men per muhallah, all seeking the same thing—a job in the community. Two very distinct reasons stick out to why these men came. First off, because of their love for country. Secondly, so they can feed their families.

"They want jobs," 1st Lt. Matthew Nicholl, platoon leader and native of Lawrence, Kan., with Company D, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. "The biggest thing we are going to do for this muhallah is give 75 guys jobs; because if they're not working for us, they're working for other guys."

Though this area is not necessarily poor, compared to other communities, their work alone will help boost the economy. If a man brings in his two sons, and all three gain jobs, then they bring $1,200 a month into their household. That is $1,200 into their pockets and then into the economy.

"That's a lot of money; it has to improve the economy," said Nicholl. "There is going to be second and third order effects. It's keeping the money in the muhallahs. You will see it in ways of businesses opening and businesses expanding."

The troops of Company D worked with the local Neighbor Advisory Council members to come up with a list of names for possible candidates. The NAC members chose the candidates, and invitations were sent out to each individual, welcoming them to come out for the recruitment drive.

Each individual went through a series of in-processing procedures. They were fingerprinted to check if they had any criminal background and medics gave them a physical screening to check their health status. Afterwards, they conducted a physical fitness test, consisting of push-ups, sit-ups and a 100-meter dash. Finally, they were interviewed by Iraqi national police commanders who approved or disapproved them for recruitment into the volunteer force.

The final list of possible candidates goes to the Ministry of Interior, where they choose the 75 best candidates per muhallah, said Nicholl.

But one thing must be taken into consideration when selecting these men. In these areas, 60-70 percent of the populace is Shia.

"Out of the 75 volunteers, we have to make it reflect the demographics of the actual muhallah," said Nicholl. By doing this it will better balance the force.

Once these 75 men are selected, they will be uniformed and integrated into training with Iraqi army and national police members, manning checkpoints alongside them and patrolling through the muhallahs.

Placing these volunteers into their home cities, where they know and have built trust with the local citizens, puts a known face on security issues.

One man, Yaser Abdul Satar, sported a tattoo of Iraq with the nation's colors in it. He said it's a symbol of his love for his country, which is one reason Satar wants to be a part of this volunteer force.

Secondly, however, his lack of job is preventing him from doing the one thing he has wanted to do for some time—marry. His country, his family and the people of Dur Sud come first.

The area is safe, said Spc. Chris Johnson, driver and native of Richmond, Va., with Company D, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. They patrol often, going to the local schools and talking with the children.

If these men are in place to identify those who do not belong and are known criminals they will be successful, added Johnson.