Iraqi Army's 4th Battalion Honors Soldiers of the Month

Photo By Spc. Michael Pfaff | KIRKUK, Iraq (Jan. 16, 2006) -- In addition to a certificate of achievement, the Iraqi Army Soldier of the Month received a "No Slack" 101st Airborne Division pin. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michael Pfaff)  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

01.18.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story and photos by Spc. Michael Pfaff
133rd MPAD

KIRKUK, Iraq (Jan. 16, 2006) " A ceremony was held today at the K1 Iraqi Army base honoring five Iraqi recipients of a "Soldier of the Month" award.

The 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Division Iraqi Army recipients were chosen based on how well those soldiers performed on missions ranging from traffic control to convoy operations.

"The purpose of the ceremony was to honor a soldier of the month for each one of the companies in our Iraqi Army battalion," said 1st Lt. Ethan Richardson, the military training team's fire support officer. "We wanted to recognize the outstanding soldiers that have performed well in the past month."

The "Soldiers of the Month" were recognized in front of the formation and awarded a certificate of achievement, a "No Slack" 101st Airborne Division pin, and a gift from the Iraqi Army 4th Battalion commander, Col. Mohammed.

"We're not saying that these soldiers were the only ones that did well," Mohammed said. "All of the soldiers did well. These were in the top of the good soldiers."

Richardson said that a ceremony like this helps to recognize individual soldiers who might not get the honor they deserve for doing well. In the large picture, he said it inspires the Iraqi Army troops to continue to sustain the good things they are doing and improve on things they need to improve upon.

The Iraqi Army soldiers do not have enlistment contracts, so they don't necessarily have to continue fighting for their country, he said. Giving them a pat on the back when it's deserved is one way to keep them motivated.

"They realize they are making a difference and it helps inspire patriotism in them," Richardson said. "They see what we do and see that they can do this also. And, they can take up the mission we are doing so that we can go home."

Coalition forces helped organize this ceremony, but Mohammed said he plans to continue awarding his troops in the future without assistance.

"We want to appreciate and thank the coalition forces for their help with the ceremony," Mohammed said. "But, we have a plan and program to continue showing we appreciate and are grateful for our best soldier's discipline, training, and their sacrifice for the future of this battalion."

• Date Taken: 01.18.2006
• Date Posted: 01.18.2006 10:31
• Story ID: 5142
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ