BAGHDAD - Twenty-four Iraqi Army captains successfully concluded the Company Commander course at the Iraqi Signal School at Camp Taji Nov. 8.
During this 45-day course these Iraqi Army officers are learning all facets of company-level and small-unit leadership. The program of instruction includes lectures on diverse subjects designed to further develop a professional and capable ground force within the Iraqi Army.
This is an officer professional development course where Iraqi Army captains learn their staff requirements; develop a better understanding of chains of command as well as leadership requirements, said U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Hayes, United States Forces-Iraq’s senior Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Army advisor to the Iraqi Army Signal School, and a Smyrna, Ga., native.
The course is a prerequisite to assume command at the company level, as well as for promotion to major.
“It builds confidence in the Iraqi Army,” Master Sgt. Laurencio Gonzalez, ITAM-Army’s senior enlisted advisor to the Iraqi Army Signal School, and a San Antonio native said, adding that the Iraqis conducted this course on their own.
These company commanders will return to their respective units within Iraqi Army divisions and brigades where they will continue to develop capabilities leading to a modernized Iraqi Army.
