MiTT wraps up training

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class David Benamati | Members of the U.S. Army's 3rd Brigade Military Transition Team work with 3rd Battalion 3rd Brigade 2nd Iraqi Army to develope their battalion staff functions. (photo by Sgt. 1st Class David P. Benamati. 138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)  

MAKMUR, IRAQ

03.24.2006

Courtesy Story

345th Public Affairs Detachment

by Sgt. 1st Class David P. Benamati
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MAKMUR, Iraq (Mar. 12 2006) - U.S. Army Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade Military Transition Team are nearing the end of their mission as trainers for Iraqi Army Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army.

Soon, the MiTT will begin handing off responsibility of continued training of Iraqi Soldiers to the next MiTT.

Cpt. Ronny A. Vargas, of Glen Cove, N.Y. is the unit training and operations officer, who works closely with his Iraqi counterpart, Maj. Marwan Kocher, to train the 3rd Iraqi Bn how to function as a battalion staff section.

"We are not teaching the Iraqi Army our doctrine, but we are teaching them how they can better function by giving them guidance and mentoring," Vargas said. "We show them better ways to function within their own system and try to help them be more efficient."

Lieutenant Colonel Hogar Dusky, battalion commander, 3rd Bn, 3rd Bde., 2nd IA worked with coalition forces since first arriving in 2003. He has seen the benefits his Soldiers experienced over the past eight months and is eager to continue the training his Soldiers are receiving.

"The training has made the Soldiers 100 percent better than before, under the old regime. Our officers and sergeants work together to train and lead the Soldiers." Dusky said. "Not like before, where only the officers would lead and the sergeants and Soldiers would react when told to do something."

According to Dusky, Soldiers are not only better trained, but their morale has increased.

"They have more confidence in their ability to fight the insurgents. Under the old regime, they were never taught how to fire their weapon or how to clean them," Dusky said. "Now, they are taught how to aim and fire the weapon; they train with many rounds of ammunition."

The MiTT is nearing the end of its rotation and has seen the 3rd Bn, 3rd Bde., 2nd IA become a stronger and more efficient army.

"At first the Iraqi Soldiers were hesitant to change the way they operated. After a while, they realized that there were ways they could improve and have embraced the training we have given them." Vargas said. "We have shown them how officers can work in conjunction with non-commissioned officers to train their Soldiers. We have empowered the NCOs to be leaders and take the initiative."

Major Jonathon Stone of Myrtle Beach, S.C., MiTT leader, said, "The change in the Iraqi Army is incredible. When I first arrived in Makmur, I did not feel safe. Now, I feel at ease being with the Iraqi Army. They have changed into a strong, well-functioning infantry battalion."

• Date Taken: 03.24.2006
• Date Posted: 03.24.2006 13:45
• Story ID: 5847
• Location: MAKMUR, IQ