Posted on 10/16/2005 10:30:49 AM PDT by SandRat
CAMP SLAYER, Iraq — Wherever there is an Army camp, extra duty is a given.
With hundreds of Iraqis and other nationals hired to do a myriad of jobs on this camp, there is a need for soldiers to escort them while ensuring security for American interests is maintained.
Like many things involving the Army, there is a list — a duty roster — directing soldiers to show up and perform an assigned task.
The 69th Signal Company GIs are no exception to being tasked.
Just ask a pair of the company’s specialists — Mark Burke and Christopher Hughes.
Two contractors and the Army Corps of Engineers use workers from Iraq, Jordan and Egypt, many of whom have to be escorted, said the 27-year-old Burke.
The military is concerned about potential sabotage and watches the workers closely to ensure “they don’t pace off steps,” which could be used in directing attacks on the installation, he said.
No electronic equipment of any kind, such as cell phones, can be carried by the workers, Burke added.
While neither he nor Hughes ever saw that happen, in the past some workers reportedly were found to have global positioning systems or taking notes.
Not all the workers require escorts, like Filipinos who are employed in a number of positions, and Iraqis who have been checked out and are foremen.
“The Iraqis go through an interview process,” Hughes said.
Describing most of the work done by the foreign nationals as menial but important, Burke said there is much cleaning to do at Camp Slayer.
The camp is set in the midst of a special area that once belonged to the deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. It is one of many palace areas he had in the country.
Much of the complex suffered battle damage, ranging from light shell-pocked facades to collapsed multi-story buildings.
The once manicured grounds are now bare, dusty areas. Man-made lakes are clogged with growing vegetation, mainly of bulrushes, a marsh like plant.
Groups of laborers can be seen daily picking up debris, sweeping living areas and doing construction.
Burke, who hails from Boston, said he has worked in the construction business. He said “it was painful” watching some of the laborers and how they do things when building.
Hughes, 23, who is from Chico, Calif., said soldiers chosen for escorting workers is based on the size of a unit.
Since the 69th has only a few soldiers at Camp Slayer — others are scattered at different sites in Iraq — only two a day is tasked. Larger units can have a dozen of more soldiers on escort duty each day. The number of workers being guarded by a soldier can range from three to 15.
Female soldiers are not exempt from the escort duty roster. Burke said it does not seem to bother the male workers to be escorted by female GIs.
As Americans look at Iraqi culture as alien, the Iraqis see American ways as alien, too.
“It doesn’t seem to bother them (male workers) to see a female in uniform with a weapon,” Burke said. “They don’t hold us to their standards.”
The women are given communication systems when they are on duty, which the male soldiers are not. The female guards also don’t usually go to the remote areas of the camp.
Fights do break out among the workers, and the GIs are not to interfere unless the conflict gets out of hand and government property could be damaged or Americans harmed.
Duty days for escorts start at 4:30 a.m. Hughes said soldiers who show up the earliest can have a pick of what type of work detail they want to guard. Some details get off around noon, while others go to 5 p.m.
The workers are usually friendly.
“Many speak English and ask if we are married, have kids or girlfriends. They like to talk about their families, too,” Burke said.
The more religious workers, who bring their prayer rugs, are less inclined to talk, he added.
There are other duties soldiers are tasked to do, including guarding the dining facilities, checking the identification of people entering the eatery. The 69th has to provide guards for breakfast and lunch.
One of the worker details is either liked or not favored.
Riding around in a truck pumping sewage into the vehicle’s container is not a favorite of Hughes.
But Burke said he has been on that detail and some of the three member crews have the process down to a quick stop, hookup, drain, disconnect and go.
“It’s like watching a NASCAR pit crew,” he said.
HERALD/REVIEW senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-415 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
Learn what some of the jobs our troops do in Iraq
BTTT!!!!!!!
Keeping the Local Nationals from pacing steps (aka "gridding") is the most important job these escort soldiers can do.
Especially at Slayer, Victory, Anaconda, and other areas where mortar activity is frequent.
Still, there were several instances of highly-accurate mortaring that could only have come from good "inside the wire" recon.
Good story, Sand. Our military men and women so it all.
Our troops are now working as escorts ????
I told ya no good would come from lettin the twinks in but ya just wouldn't listen would ya ?!
;-)
The military is concerned about potential sabotage and watches the workers closely to ensure “they don’t pace off steps,” which could be used in directing attacks on the installation, he said.
No electronic equipment of any kind, such as cell phones, can be carried by the workers, Burke added.
Thanks for the ping!
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