U.S., Iraqi SGMs address future Corps

Photo By Jacob Boyer | Coalition and Iraqi senior NCOs listen to Iraqi Ground Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Ali speak at the beginning of the Iraqi Army Command Sergeants Major Conference May 19 in Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory. About 98 percent of Iraqi army's sergeants major attended the event, which was held to help strengthen the army's NCO Corps.  

IRAQ

05.26.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Jacob Boyer 

28th Public Affairs Detachment

By Staff Sgt. Jacob Boyer
28th Public Affairs Detachment

Senior Iraqi Army and coalition NCOs from throughout the country gathered in Al Faw Palace for the Iraqi Army Command Sergeants Major Conference May 19-20 at Camp Victory.

"The purpose of this conference was to empower (the Iraqi command sergeants major)," said Iraqi Assistance Group Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Moore. "We wanted to allow them to share ideas, and we allowed the commanding general and the command sergeant major of the Iraqi Ground Forces Command to address all the senior NCO leadership in Iraq."

Moore said about 98 percent of the sergeants major in the Iraqi army were present. The goal of the conference was to empower and instill a tradition of leadership and responsibility to Iraqi NCOs and define the role of the NCO in the Iraqi army. Several topics, ranging from operations and logistics to pay and personnel issues, were discussed by both IGFC and coalition officials during the conference.

Lt. Gen. Ali, Iraqi ground forces commander, opened the conference by telling his senior NCOs that it was a chance to rebuild their corps to its former heights. The Iraqi army had a strong NCO Corps before Saddam Hussein, but it diminished during his regime.

"You are the core and foundation of the establishment of the Iraqi army," Ali told the assembled NCOs. "We have our mission to be like other armies. I would like for all of you to put this on yourselves regardless of anything else."

Moore said bringing the Iraqi sergeants major together with their coalition counterparts was not done to force them to shape their corps one way or another, but to share ideas and knowledge that would help them build an strong NCO Corps with an Iraqi flavor.

"We want to help them facilitate their army and corps into something that works, sharing ideas from history and knowledge on what is working," he said. "The best armies in the world have strong NCO corps."

Multi-National Corps - Iraq Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola spoke to the group, emphasizing the NCO's role in keeping his Soldiers going on the battlefield every day.

"We affect a great deal of what must be done by virtue of just being there," he said. "All (soldiers) know is what they see down their rifle. If they're having a bad day, all they see is crap. Who gives them perspective? We do."

Sgt. 1st Class Mark Bailey, IGFC Military Transition Team NCOIC, said the event was a large step in building a better Iraqi army.

"I call this the Valley Forge event," he said, referring to a crucial winter during George Washington's campaign in the American Revolution. "We're starting the NCO Corps all over again. There are still senior NCOs in the Iraqi army. They need to feed, pay and train soldiers. It will make them a better army and take pressure off their officers and keep them out of NCO business."

IGFC Command Sgt. Maj. Kasim said he felt the conference would be a turning point for the Iraqi Army.

"This is a historic day because these NCOs are the backbone of the Iraqi army," he said through an interpreter. "This conference has strengthened the respect between our officers and our NCOs. These NCOs will go back with information to help lift the morale and education of their soldiers."

The conference will become a recurring one for Iraq's NCO leadership, Kasim said.
"I wish for this to continue," he said. "We need to see the fruit of what we did here this weekend."

• Date Taken: 05.26.2007
• Date Posted: 05.26.2007 01:46
• Story ID: 10517
• Location: IQ