Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Devlin Lasiter, right, an infantryman and team leader with Company B, 1st...... read more read more
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Story by: Spc. William A. Joeckel
2AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C
BAGHDAD — Soldiers with the 11th Iraqi Army Division are taking the initiative in leading small unit tactics training at Joint Security Station Old MoD, Iraq, as several noncommissioned officers now conduct training sessions on a regular basis.
For these soldiers, it is preparation for what they will be expected to perform in real-life scenarios.
“When the soldiers first started training, they carried their weapons very nonchalantly,” said Sgt. Devlin Lasiter, an infantryman and a team leader with Company B, 1st “Vanguard” Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, and a Hobbs, N.M., native. “The Iraqi trainers teach them the importance of keeping the weapons at the low ready [position]. Now, they are trained in full kit and to standard.”
When Company B initially came to JSS Old MoD, their sole focus was that of training the Iraqi soldiers. Over the past few months, Iraqi leaders have taken over the training with positive results.
The instruction is accomplished by trainers like Iraqi Army Cpl. Mohan Essam, an Iraqi soldier assigned to the 11th IA Division. Essam was one of four soldiers handpicked by his U.S. Army counterparts to lead the training. Continually, Essam takes a group of Iraqi soldiers and instills in them the proper methods in tasks such as room clearing, combat life saving, and basic rifle marksmanship.
“I teach clearing rooms, evidence gathering, and making arrests,” Essam said. “I teach these techniques every day because the soldiers need to do these things in a real situation.”
From observing the training that the Iraqi soldiers were exercising, it is plain to see that Essam and other Iraqi trainers are striving to instill greater professionalism and discipline in the ranks. During multiple times throughout the training exercise, Essam stepped in to correct improper actions, and this was then swiftly mirrored by the other Iraqi soldiers.
“The soldiers are doing very well and look professional,” said Essam. “They are improving every day.”
The training at JSS Old MoD not only helps the junior-enlisted soldiers of the Iraqi army, but it also helps develop their leaders.
“The squad leaders and team leaders get a lot of hands-on experience,” Lasiter said. “They learn to command and control their soldiers, and they have shown a lot of improvement.”
The soldiers who come through each training cycle have been greatly appreciative of the assisting role of the U.S. Army. Whenever a trainer has a question on a procedure, an American soldier is there to provide advice and assistance.
“The U.S. Army has been a great help to me and these soldiers,” Essam said. “I became a trainer because of them.”
Progress and solidarity of training and operations have been noted by the soldiers with Company B, and many feel confident in the ability of the trainers to maintain their professionalism once they leave the JSS.
“Cpl. Essam is very knowledgeable about small unit tactics and he does an excellent job,” Lasiter said.
As the 11th IA Div. prepares for the departure of the U.S. Army, the Iraqi soldiers have constantly been stepping up to meet the requirements that their country needs. From vital training to patrols, Iraqi soldiers are now taking the lead during the final months of the many years that the U.S. forces have given in Iraq.
“The Iraqi soldiers are making good progress,” Lasiter said. “If they keep training like they are now, they will be prepared for when we leave.”
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2011 05:43 |
| Story ID: | 72806 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 162 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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