Iraqi Army NCOs; We are all Iraqis, we have one enemy

Courtesy Photo | NCO Academy Commandant Sgt. Maj. Walter Murrell presents guest speaker Command Sgt. Maj. William Ulibarri, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, with a memorial photo Nov. 14 of Ulibarri sparring with the Iraqi honor graduate in the pugil pit.  

IRAQ

11.28.2005

Courtesy Story

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SGT RACHEL BRUNE
101ST SUSTAINMENT BDE

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A mixed class of Iraqi Army noncommissioned officers graduated from the NCO Academy in a ceremony at the MWR Theater Nov. 14 here.

"This was the first class [for which] we brought soldiers down from the north," said Command Sgt. Maj. William Ulibarri, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

The ethnic mix of Kurds and Iraqis did not matter to the soldiers, said Ulibarri.

"They said, "We are all Iraqis, we have one enemy,"" said Ulibarri, who gave the keynote speech at the graduation ceremony.

The portion of the training that taught unarmed combat was the most important, said 1st Sgt. Hayawi, who was the distinguished honor graduate. He hopes to take the martial arts training back to his unit to pass on to his soldiers, he said.

Hayawi distinguished himself by defeating all comers, including Ulibarri, in the pugil stick pit during training.

"Iraq's strength lies in diversity," said Sgt. Maj. Walter Murrell, NCO Academy commandant, to the graduates. "Teamwork is fundamental to what your country is trying so hard to achieve."

The graduates and assembled visitors watched a short video presentation highlighting weapons training, physical training, individual movement techniques, the obstacle course, first aid, entering and clearing a room and martial arts.

"You are the foundation with which to build effective small units," said Ulibarri in his remarks after the video. "One thing that cannot be trained overnight is the warrior ethos and building the warrior spirit."

Ulibarri paused to allow the interpreter to catch up, then added: "That training was not new to you. It was common to all honorable warriors."

After presenting awards to the honor graduates, including a "Leadership Award" and a "Physical Fitness Award," Ulibarri presented each graduate with his certificate.

Cadre from 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, an active duty unit from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, run the NCO Academy in collaboration with Iraqi Army instructors.

Murrell then presented Ulibarri with a special honor, an enlarged, framed picture of the sergeant major meeting his match in the pugil pit.

• Date Taken: 11.28.2005
• Date Posted: 11.28.2005 15:42
• Story ID: 3894
• Location: IQ