Hands-on approach to training

Photo By Ernest Henry | A squad of Iraqi army position themselves against a wall prior to entering a house. The soldiers are receiving training in basic infantry tactics from Sgt. Mike Jones, a member of the Personnel Security Detachment for Company C, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.  

IRAQ

05.25.2007

Story by Sgt. Ernest Henry 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Ernest Henry
4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division

HUSSANIYAH, Iraq – From securing his patrol base, to feeling secure on patrol with his counterparts, a Paratrooper implemented a unique training regimen for the men responsible for securing Iraq's future.

Sgt. Mike Jones, a member of the Personnel Security Detachment for Company C, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division was assigned to Forward Operating Base Hussaniyah in February and given the simple task of watching computer screens and providing security for the base. But while out a mission one day securing a landing zone, Jones saw a unique opportunity in his Iraqi army counterparts that he could not pass up.

"It started when we went to assist the Iraqi army secure a landing zone. We saw then how bad they were, and started training them that week," said Jones, a resident of Monroe, N.H. "We were going out on dismounts and we wanted to go out with people we felt secure with, so we've been training them ever since."

Now that Jones and his platoon of Iraqi army soldiers are three months into their training cycle things run smoothly, but that wasn't always the case.

"I've learned through trial and error and one thing is for sure, these guys are not classroom oriented," he continued. "You got to get out and actually do it. I do a lot of hands on training with them. Sometimes I don't even get through the whole platoon."

Jones' approach to teaching and mentoring has been so successful that other IA units in theatre are beginning to take notice.

"I try to work with them independently so that each team can operate at their own level," said Jones. "It's been very effective and is being adopted by other IA units in theater."

After three months of training the IA soldiers on topics ranging from standard map reading skills to proper building clearing techniques, the difference in their performance can be seen inside and outside the wire.

"When we first started, they couldn't even get down and respond to contact. Now they're bounding backward, moving away from contact, moving toward contact, and they can do it in vehicles or dismounted. There really isn't much we haven't covered yet."

It started with a simple task to secure his base and after months of work, Jones has passed on years of training and experience to his fellow Iraqi army soldiers. Now they can put their new found skills to use and begin securing their city and country's future, one simple task at a time.

• Date Taken: 05.25.2007
• Date Posted: 05.25.2007 15:16
• Story ID: 10516
• Location: IQ