Iraqi government pays its 'Sons': West Rashid Sons of Iraq receive first government of Iraq paycheck

Photo By Master Sgt. Brock Jones | A member of the Sons of Iraq in the Rashid District of southern Baghdad receives his first government of Iraq paycheck at Joint Security Station Jihad Nov. 10, 2008. Each SoI was each given their regular salary of the Iraqi Dinar equivalent of $300.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.11.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Brock Jones 

Multi-National Division Baghdad

By Staff Sgt. Brock Jones
Multi-National Division - Baghdad Public Affairs Office

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The Sons of Iraq in the West Rashid District of southern Baghdad received their first government of Iraq paycheck at Joint Security Station Jihad Nov. 10, 2008.

This is the first large-scale SoI payday conducted by the government of Iraq and marks a landmark achievement in the SoI transition from coalition forces control to GoI control.

"Today is really the next critical step in the transfer that began on Oct. 1," said Lt. Col. Mike Runey, plans officer with 4th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division – Baghdad, about the SoI payday. "Effectively, the transfer has happened. The critical physical piece for the SoI and their perspective is they will continue to receive pay and compensation for the services they've rendered to the country. This is why today is such a hallmark day."

The SoI from the Jihad neighborhood in southern Baghdad lined up outside a small, second-story room on JSS Jihad and were called up to the pay table one by one. After their identities were verified by Iraqi security forces officials and SoI leaders, the individual being paid placed a thumbprint in blue ink next to their names on a master list and were given their money and told to count it to make sure it was all there.

Leading up this payday, there were some concerns among the ranks of the SoI as to whether or not the government would continue to pay them as seamlessly as coalition forces had done in the past.

Faiq Adeeb was one of the SoI who had concerns leading up to the payday. Seeing his peers receiving their money seemed to set mind at ease, he said.

"The fact that the GoI is paying us today makes us feel more comfortable," he said. "Things will continue to get better."

Such concerns regarding payment by the government were not universally held by all SoI, however.

"On the contrary," said Sarmet Abdi Salam, when asked if he was worried that the government would not pay him. "I believed that the Iraqi government would pay us. A lot of people believed that the government would pay us."

Both MND-B and GoI officials recognize that there are potential snags and issues that may have to be dealt with but remain confident in their commitment to ensuring the transition continues as planned and as seamless as possible in continued execution.

"We have identified that there are challenges in the future and we're tuned into them," said Runey. "We can adapt and adjust to those challenges."

The hard work of the SoI leadership, of Iraqi government and ISF leadership, and of MND-B leadership to make this transition happen, is deeply seeded in the gratitude that all parties have for the SoI and their role in the current security of Baghdad and Iraq.

"The Iraq government appreciates the effort done by the Sons of Iraq in the most needed time. The government was in much need of security and the Sons of Iraq came forward," said retired Iraqi army Maj. Gen. [retired] Muhder, who now serves as the military liaison with the Implementation and Follow-up Committee for National Reconciliation. "It's very clear to the Iraqi government and the people of Iraq that the role played by the SoI in security is tremendous."

In addition to the efforts made by the government to pay the SoI, the continued transition of Sahwa into the ISF is ongoing, as are efforts to provide those SoI who so desire the opportunity to be trained in a marketable skill for use in their local communities.

"What we have been working on for over a year with the Iraqi government is how to transition the SoI into other long-term employment," said Runey. "The most successful of those efforts has been to move the Sons of Iraq into the Iraqi police."

Approximately 3,400 SoI have transitioned into the IP. Another 500 have moved on to serve in the Iraqi army.

However, security roles are not the only opportunities for SoI.

Another opportunity that the SoI are taking advantage of is working for the government in non-security roles.

The Civil Service Departments in the different Beladiyahs are one of the ways SoI can come to find work outside of the security professions, said Runey.

There are over 30 CSDs throughout Baghdad where both men and women can go to receive training in various fields such as general construction, auto repair, telecommunications, clerical and administration, etc. Following a six-month long course, CSD graduates can immediately take those new skills into the community work force. Currently, the Jihad CSD in Rashid is training approximately 400 students with 176 of those being former SoI.

Successes, like the payday of the Jihad SoI in West Rashid, provide the confidence and the strength to keep moving forward.

• Date Taken: 11.11.2008
• Date Posted: 11.11.2008 06:17
• Story ID: 26191
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ