Raising the bar - Scorpion Academy motivates, teaches

Photo By Sgt. Joshua Risner | Courtland, Va. native Spc. Franklin Land III, a military policeman with 978th Military Police Company, 93rd MP Battalion, inspects an AK-47 and finds it to be satisfactory at Scorpion Academy, a training seminar for Iraqi army soldiers and Iraqi police, March 29. A large focus of Scorpion Academy was teaching the Iraqis how to properly care for their weapons, Land said.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

03.31.2009

Story by Sgt. Joshua Risner 

Multi-National Division Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Soldiers of the 978th Military Police Company "Scorpions," 93rd MP Battalion, held Scorpion Academy, a training seminar for Iraqi police and Iraqi army soldiers, at Joint Security Station Salaam, March 29-31.

The academy is meant to take what the Iraqis already know and push it to the next level, according to Sgt. Ray Hogan, a military policeman with 978th MP Co., 93rd MP Bn.

"We give them some of our training to make them better at what they do," the native of Ridgecrest, N.J. said.

The training lasted three days, encompassing troop tactical procedures used by U.S. Soldiers, according to Spc. Franklin Land, III, an MP with 978th MP Co. "Where they're at right now, they only go through a basic level of training," he said. "When we get them, we want to fine tune their training and make sure they fully understand what they're doing when they're out there."

One focus of Scorpion Academy was proper care for their weapons systems. "We teach them how to break down all their weapons systems, how to clean them and do a proper functions check," said Land, who is from Courtland, Va.

The Iraqis learned how to hold their weapons, to aim, shoot and move with them as well. "When a lot of them try to move with their weapons, they just take off running," said Land. "They're not maintaining positive control of their weapons, so we try to enforce that as well."

Other portions of the training included hand-to-hand techniques and first aid. "The majority of the guys go through this class and take it back to their units," Land explained. "We'll drive by their checkpoints and we will see them standing at their checkpoints, carrying their weapons properly and set up in the formations we have taught them. I see it doing a good thing for the Iraqis' future."

The Scorpions ran a tight ship, enforcing discipline and order. Showing up late or not paying attention carried consequences: an old-fashioned Army smoke session, according to Spc. Scott Morgan, an MP with 978th MP Co. "We don't cut them any slack because the enemy isn't going to take it easy on them," said Morgan, from Ridgecrest, Calif.

Including the IA and IPs in the same class has strengthened cooperation and quelled old rivalries, Land added. "A couple of years ago, the IA and the IP were constantly fighting back and forth," he said. "I've noticed that since we've been working with the academy, especially in our area, that the IAs and the IPs will work together. You will actually see them in and out of each other's stations, taking care of each other throughout the day, so we've definitely made a big difference in the area."

IA soldiers and IPs alike left Scorpion Academy with a better understanding of troop tactical procedures that they can teach to their comrades. With training such as what is offered by the Scorpion Academy, Iraqi security forces will have an easier time of taking over the defense of their country.

• Date Taken: 03.31.2009
• Date Posted: 04.03.2009 12:35
• Story ID: 31977
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ