New Class of Iraqi Soldiers Train in Driving, Infantry Techniques

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from 1st Mechanized Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraq Army Division (Mechanized), man the gun mounts atop a T-72 tank during a March 20 training exercise on Camp Taji, Iraq. The soldiers practiced standard driving techniques as well as reacting to contact and setting up emergency traffic control points. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Sean Hanson, 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)  

TAJI, IRAQ

03.21.2007

Courtesy Story

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

By Spc. Sean Hanson
1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - It was with no trepidation, no fear of repercussion for his service to his healing country, that Pvt. Jiwad Jassem joined the Iraqi army in September 2006.

Although Jassem is from a neighborhood south of Baghdad, relatively unscarred by violence, he said he was compelled to help loosen the chokehold of terror maintained by the insurgency.

Now a soldier in his sixth month of training as a tank driver and checkpoint guard, Jassem said the hardest part of his job - basic training - is over and he looks forward to months spent combating insurgents.

"I believe in my country," Jassem said, standing near a formation of his fellow soldiers from the 1st Mechanized Battalion, 3rd Brigade. "I want to protect and serve my country, too."

Pvt. Mohammed Hassin, a bodyguard for the Iraqi officers overseeing the training, said he had a similar motivation for joining the Iraqi army.

"As a soldier, I came here - we came here for a reason, to serve our country," Hassin said.

Unlike some Iraqi soldiers who work hard to hide their service in a shroud of excuses to all but their closest friends and family to avoid persecution from insurgents, Jassem is open about his employment and returns home from leave a hero in the eyes of his hometown's residents.

"Why should I be scared (of insurgents)?" Jassem said. "My family, my relatives, my friends - whoever knows me - are proud of me because they know I'm serving them and serving their country."

Among the tall grass and scrap-metal remnants of equipment destroyed in the war on the eastern half of Camp Taji (the IA's half), Jassem readied himself for a long day of driver's training - one day of four consecutive weeks, after which he'll receive one week of leave.

"Hopefully, the new security plan is going to work, and when that works, we'll be able to go home and the mission will be done," Jassem said, and he's willing to remain in the Iraqi army until his country is secure.

Because of the IA's unique way of selecting its noncommissioned officers, Jassem's willingness to stay the course may be the best determinant of a future at a higher grade.

As Company C, 52nd Infantry Regiment 1st Sgt. David Corbin, of Pulaski, Wis., explained, the IA - converse to the U.S. Army - selects its noncommissioned officers without a mandatory minimum time in service, promotion board or point structure.

"They look at leadership differently than we do. They look at charisma, bravery and who's been following them," Corbin said. As they proceed through their training exercises, which draw on both driving and infantry tactics during this particular phase, those who take initiative and exhibit the traits of natural leaders are given the three chevrons to wear.

Pfc. Mark Hernandez, of Fresno, Calif., is one of Corbin's Soldiers working as an instructor with the Iraq soldiers.

"We don't have much to work with, so we improvise," Hernandez said. With a lack of interpreters to instruct the Iraq soldiers individually, Hernandez said his platoon began implementing a "train the trainer" structure whereby the Co. C Soldiers instruct IA noncommissioned officers, who, in turn, relay the instruction to their soldiers.

Company C Platoon Leader 1st Lt. Cecil Wolberton, of Louisville, Ky., said this affords the IA unit the sovereignty and cohesion that allows them to function independently, and it's working. "Every day, they improve," he said.

Hassin and Jassem echoed Wolberton's assessment of their growth.

"The Iraqi army is getting better because we're getting more training that can help us and help other soldiers like us," Hassin said.

With T-72 tanks rumbling down the road in front of the Soldiers, Jassem added, "I'm just proud of being in the army. We just want to get rid of the terrorists, get home safe and free our country."

• Date Taken: 03.21.2007
• Date Posted: 03.21.2007 13:26
• Story ID: 9552
• Location: TAJI, IQ