Photo By Spc. Katrina Faulkner-Brown | Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Greca, a native of Grayslake, Ill., who is the senior...... read more read more
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By 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – The senior enlisted leader for the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, took advantage of an opportunity to share his thoughts, and offer his encouragement and inspiration, to a group of Iraqi national policemen at their headquarters building in Baghdad, May 21.
During a chance encounter in Baghdad, Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem, commander of 1st National Police Division, invited Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Greca, a native of Grayslake, Ill., to speak to his non-commissioned officer corps.
It was a rather unique opportunity, and one he was eager to engage – along with two of his fellow command sergeant major. Joining him on his venture were Command Sgt. Maj. Emmett Maunakea, 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, who hails from Columbus, Ga., and Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Womack, a Leesville, La., resident, with 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment.
Greca told the gathered Iraqi policemen that he has seen great improvements in the Iraqi security forces during his deployment.
"There's not a doubt in my mind that over the next six, seven, eight or nine months – however long we're here – we're going to make great improvements to help make the Iraqi army and the national police even stronger," he said.
He talked with them about the importance of a strong non-commissioned officer corps and why strong NCO leadership is vital to the management – and the success – of an Army.
He also spoke to them about some of the keys to success for the ISF's evolving NCO Corps and that it was up to them to focus on the basics to ensure success. Some of the items he spoke to them candidly about focused on the need for quality leadership in the Iraqi NCO structure. Keys to success, he added, are focusing on training, instilling pride in wearing the uniform, helping to enforce standardization of procedures, and focusing on issues every army has to deal with when recruiting young Soldiers.
Womack spoke with them about the basics of the Army's enlisted Soldiers and how it is focused from the top on down.
"The Sergeant Major in our Army is responsible for all the Soldiers – (and is) very people oriented," explained Womack, referring to the top of the NCO chain. "Officers plan and resource – and Sergeants make it happen," he added, in explaining the fundamental responsibilities of the relationship between commissioned and non-commissioned officers.
"I'm there to cover down on as much as possible (and) supervise – You have to be there to supervise."
Following their introductions Greca, Womack and Maunakea opened up the floor for the Iraqi NCOs to ask whatever questions were on their minds.
A key point made by Maunakea was that the ISF needs to focus on Iraqi solutions to Iraqi problems. It can't be an American solution, he explained, because the Iraqi forces are at a different developmental phase that that of U.S. forces and must determine what works best in its national structure.
"Our country is 254 years old, said Maunakea. "We are still refining democracy as a nation. "What they (Iraqis) will adopt as democracy will never look like ours, and it's going to be the same thing with their leadership and the way they look at the NCO Corps."
The Iraqi NCOs took full advantage of their opportunity to speak with the three senior enlisted leaders and spoke with them about a variety of issues. They specifically noted how well Iraqi security and coalition forces work together. Another topic of interest was garnering their advice on caring for subordinates and providing security.
"I was impressed by two points. One would be they were very excited to have the opportunity to speak, relay their challenges and be advocates for their soldiers," Womack said. "And two, in true NCO form, they didn't ask for anything for themselves. They asked for ambulances, military hospitals and ID cards to ensure their soldiers are properly identified off duty.
"That was very encouraging. They are living the Army value of selfless service," continued Womack. "We're not showing them the way; we are showing them a way – a way that's worked for us."
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2008 08:32 |
| Story ID: | 20173 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 70 |
| Downloads: | 48 |
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