NP conduct STX training in Iraq

Photo By Spc. Katrina Faulkner-Brown | Spc. Moed Muyad (right), 1st Battalion, 8th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, takes initiative by further explaining the plan of action during the situational training exercise, Oct 15, 2008.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.15.2008

Story by Spc. Katrina Faulkner-Brown 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

By Spc. Katrina Faulkner-Brown
4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – National police conducted a two week non-commissioned officer leadership training that ended with a three day situational exercise training at Joint Security Station Beladiyat, Oct 15, 2008.

The 8th Brigade, 2nd NP Division, worked with 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment and 8th Bde., 2nd Div. National Police Transition Team, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, as a combined effort to develop a training program that effectively develop soldier skills for NP.

"We came up with the concept of developing a non-commissioned officer leadership program [which is] equivalent to our Warrior Leadership Course because the NP have no leadership training for their enlisted leaders," said Sgt. 1st Class Henry Dinapolis, from Slidell, La., operations NCO, 8th Bde., 2nd NP Div., NPTT. "What [NPs] liked about the training the most is that the situations [were] designed around the task and missions they conduct on a daily basis."

Iraqi Command Sgt. Maj. Am Zaman, brigade sergeant major, 8th Brigade, 2nd Div. supervised the STX portion of the exercise for the NP.

"We want to reach a point [where] we are considered professionals as soldiers," said Zaman. "Especially concerning key military issues."

"Our soldiers have the physical ability to do the hands-on training and they performed well," he added

Prior to the exercise Staff Sgt. Stuart Sword, platoon sergeant, with Company C, 2nd Bn., 30th Inf. Regt., 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. conducted a review to make sure that they remembered their aims of fire at the correct times in the exercise.

"The first day of training was a classroom setting focused on troop leadership and mission planning," said Sword a Virginia Beach, Va. native. "The second day focused on dealing with platoon attacks and the third day emphasizes urban movements and battle drills."

"What we are trying to do is challenge the NP using realistic missions that they can relate to such as a raid [or] targeting...a person of interest," said 1st Sgt. Bryan Disque, Company C, 2nd Bn., 30th Inf. Regt., 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div.

"This is something we wanted to do for a while, we just needed the time to do it," stated Disque, a native of Philadelphia.

The training can only be effective if what's taught in the classroom is taken outside and practiced, explained Disque.

An NP explained how much he has learned about how to handle people when conducting a raid in a suspected household.

"This is the first time I have received this type of training," said Iraqi Spc. Moed Muyad, 1st Bn., 8th Bde., 2nd NP Div. "We got more information on how to breach suspected houses and how to work as a team in the process."

Muyad continued by stating, "We have learned how to deal with innocent people and how to deal with terrorist while reducing casualties at the same time, thanks to the U.S. Army trainers."

Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Womack, battalion command sergeant major, 2nd Bn, 30th Inf. Regt., 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div., said "enthusiastic" is a good word to describe this NP exercise because of what the trainers did in three days.

"We showed just how capable the NPs are in a short amount of training time," said Womack.

The NP organizational structure is centralized, which is based on trust according to Womack. He further stated that by having nothing but NCOs conduct the training that coalition instructors are hoping to help ISF leaders understand the importance of utilizing soldier assets more effectively.

"You cannot view power as a limited resource," said Womack. "If you give it away, it builds exponentially versus holding power close."

Womack adds, "Give power to your subordinates and they will double or triple the desired results."

Womack expressed that the goal of 2nd Bn., 30th Inf. Regt. is to leave Iraqi military counterparts and Iraqi communities in better condition than when they arrived.

• Date Taken: 10.15.2008
• Date Posted: 10.20.2008 11:01
• Story ID: 25261
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ