Iraqi army welcomes 500 new Soldiers during recruitment drive

Photo By Dustin Gautney | Pvt. Joshua Taylor, HHC, 1-64th Armor, provides security while Iraqi army soldiers search prospective Iraqi army recruits during a recruitment drive, Dec. 23.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

12.27.2009

Story by Spc. Dustin Gautney 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq — The early morning light unveiled the sides of the highway filled with nearly 1,000 Iraqi local nationals jogging along the road's shoulder.

The local nationals did not run in fear; they ran for a hope and a dream to become part of the Iraqi army's few available positions during an Iraqi army recruitment drive, Dec. 23.

With nearly one thousand in attendance hoping to be part of the Iraqi Army, only 150 would be chosen that day. During the course of the four-day recruiting drive, approximately 500 were chosen out of the thousands who applied.

For the Soldiers of the 1st "Desert Rogues" Battalion, 64th Armor, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, assisting the 2nd Iraqi Army Brigade in recruiting new members could not have been executed any smoother, said Capt. Wes Wilhite, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-64th Armor.

"From start to finish, the plan for the recruitment drive was an Iraqi plan; coordinated by their commanders and executed by their officers and noncommissioned officers," said Wilhite.

As part of the plan to assist the Iraqi army recruitment drive, members from 1-64th Armor supplied additional security at numerous security points, as well as applying the U.S. military's Handheld Interagency Detection Equipment. This device allows users to photograph, fingerprint, perform retinal scans, and verify credentials against previously gathered information.

"The HIDE is basically the final check for the locals during the recruitment process. After going through the security checkpoints and being medically screened, we have everyone go through the HIDE checkpoint," said Spc. Gary Daniels, 204th Military Police Company, attached to 2nd HBCT.

Wilhite also said the event was executed to the highest degree of excellence by the Iraqi army; U.S. military assistance was limited because of the outstanding planning from the Iraqi army.

"I feel that even if we were not part of the plan to assist in the recruitment drive, that the event would still have been a success, which is a testament to the fine leadership of the Iraqi Army," Capt. Wilhite said.

Lt. Ross Coffman, commander, 1-64th Armor, agreed the Iraqi Army's planning and execution of the event demonstrated how an Iraqi plan, conducted by Iraqi leaders and Soldiers, leads to the best results for the Iraqi populace.

"The Iraqi army plan was so well designed that had we not been there at all, the recruitment drive would have still been a huge success," said Coffman. "The Iraqi army is so well-led and trained to be able to execute a recruitment plan so large and over multiple locations, that I can say I would be proud to stand side-by-side with our Iraqi brothers in any war."

• Date Taken: 12.27.2009
• Date Posted: 12.27.2009 16:55
• Story ID: 43186
• Location: MOSUL, IQ