Photo By Sgt. Fredrick J. Coleman | Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, commanding general of Multi-National Security Transition...... read more read more
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By Fredrick J. Coleman
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)
Forty Iraqi service members graduated from the first ever Iraqi army Senior Non-commissioned Officers' Course Nov. 25.
The course, held at the new Iraqi army Senior Non-commissioned Officers' Academy, challenged students with a 23-day syllabus similar to those found in advanced staff non-commissioned officer academies in the United States.
Leadership and troop welfare were recurrent themes throughout the wide-ranging instruction. The student soldiers conducted simulated combat patrols in Humvees and detained role-playing enemies, as well as dedicating long hours to learning administrative protocols.
"All the classes in the course revolved around one central theme – senior NCO leadership can make or break any unit," said Marine Staff Sgt. Fernando Salinas, an instructor at the academy.
As the United States continues to transition more of the battle space to the IA, training opportunities like this play a vital role in ensuring the Iraqis can take over, explained Sgt. 1st Class Donald Chausse, another instructor at the academy.
Before the academy, the Iraqis didn't have any type of academy for senior non-commissioned officers, said Sgt. Maj. Adel Abdul Jabar Abdul Wahed, senior enlisted advisor for the Iraqi Ground Forces Command.
"Senior enlisted leadership is vital to the success of the Iraqi army," said Adel.
The course will increase its enrollment in subsequent classes, said Adel, as senior non-commissioned officers throughout the IA are eager for the advanced training.
NATO and Multi National Security Transition Command-Iraq advised the IA on the course syllabus and contributed to the team of instructors.
"The best part about working with the Iraqis was seeing how anxious they were to learn something new," said Salinas. "I enjoyed the experience and hope to do it again in the future."
During his speech at the graduation, Army Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, commanding general of MNSTC-I, complimented the progress made by the Iraqi military. Helmick quoted famed Notre Dame University football head coach, Lou Holtz, saying, "We're not where we want to be. We're not where we need to be. But, thank goodness we're not where we used to be."
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2008 00:56 |
| Story ID: | 27497 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 564 |
| Downloads: | 485 |
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