Photo By Maj. Jeffrey Parker | Former Sons of Iraq became Iraqi police in a graduation ceremony at the AL Furat Iraqi...... read more read more
By 1st Lt. Shawn Clark
Multi-National Division - Baghdad
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Two examples of success for the government of Iraq have been its continued salary payments to the Sons of Iraq and the GoI-led efforts of helping SoI find quality job training and meaningful permanent employment.
The GoI closed up another SoI payday, Jan. 22. As of Jan. 21, more than 96 percent of the current number of SoI and their leaders in the Multi-National Division – Baghdad area of operations had been paid, according to data provided by Lt. Col Karl Berscheid, civil affairs liaison officer with 425th Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to 4th Infantry Division, MND-B.
The actions of the GoI and the leadership of the Iraqi army's Gen. Abud Quanbar Al-Maliki, commanding general of Baghdad Operations Command, and Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, commander of the 4th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division – Baghdad, have partnered each step of the way in forging an iron-clad commitment to the SoI.
Approximately 95 percent of former SoI who have passed through the vetting process, have entered transition programs, said Berscheid.
More than 7,700 SoI have gone through the transition process to become policemen, soldiers or into other jobs, with another 9,195 scheduled to finish transition in the next 90 days. Also, approximately 270 SoI have entered into the Iraqi army with an additional 156 awaiting orders for basic training. Additionally, 1,925 SoI have transferred into the Iraqi police with another 6,891 pending hiring orders from the Ministry of Interior to become policemen.
"These are great numbers; they represent real people who can now support themselves, their families and communities. This is what we have been working for, and now we are beginning to see the success of this great process," said Berscheid.
Over the next few months, Bersheid also hopes to continue on the success of 1,555 SoI's employed to date through civil service departments with the transition of another 1,673 scheduled to begin training for jobs in CSDs around Baghdad.
SoI and other civilians can go to CSDs to be trained in high-demand technical skills that will provide a sustainable workforce for public works and essential services needs for the government and private industry, said. Brig. Gen. Robin Swan, a Pittsburgh, native, who serves as a deputy commanding general of the 4th Inf. Div. and MND-B.
CSDs provide an effective alternative for SoIs who desire to work other than in the security sector to find permanent employment.
In a continuation of support, this month the BOC had each SoI complete an education and work-experience questionnaire which will be used to screen and refer SoI to appropriate ministries for potential employment.
An additional indicator of the transition process succeeding and the continued government support of the SoI is in the 89 micro grants given to former SoI to provide money for personal business investment and employment. Another 118 grant requests made by SoI are currently awaiting approval, said Berscheid.
The continued success of paying and transferring SOI into viable, useful roles in the Iraqi army, Iraqi police and civil service or other forms of free market jobs will provide both a very powerful security force and workforce for Iraq during a challenging time of progress.
| Date Taken: | 01.22.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.23.2009 15:13 |
| Story ID: | 29192 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 86 |
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