Posted on 04/18/2005 8:55:57 PM PDT by Marine_Uncle
FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 10, 2005) -- It is 6 a.m. and sweat is already dripping from their faces as they push through their physical fitness training well before sunrise.
Hours later, a platoon of recruits take careful aim on their targets as they send 7.62 caliber rounds downrange. At the same time other platoons receive instruction on lifesaving first aid and land navigation techniques.
If this sounds like a day of Marine Corps boot camp, it should, but instead of young American men and women these recruits are from Iraq.
Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment joined forces with the Iraqi Army’s 1st and 2nd Battalions, 2nd Brigade here April 10 to begin training the Iraqi military’s newest recruits.
Marines supervise and mentor the Iraqi instructors as they deliver a comprehensive 12-day training package, named “Lion” training, covering topics such as basic marksmanship, first aid procedures in combat, and infantry tactics.
According to 1st Lt. Dave Godwin, Weapons Company’s executive officer, senior ranking Iraqi soldiers are teaching the course curriculum that Iraqi Security Forces devised while Marines supervise the instruction.
“We’re helping to train approximately 250 soldiers based here in Fallujah,” the 31-year-old Macon, Ga. native stated. “The overall objective is to turn the ISF into a functioning, cohesive force so they can take over this AO (area of operation) once we leave.”
The 2001 University of Colorado graduate added that ISF personnel are already highly active in conducting security and stability operations here. They are working alongside Marines to patrol the streets and man vehicle and personnel entry control points to search for insurgents and illegal arms. However, this training package will increase their proficiency in conducting such missions.
Two battalions of Iraqi soldiers, comprised of eight platoons, rotate through different training phases. The soldiers receive two days worth of training in each phase.
One phase of training involves shooting an AK-47 assault rifle live-fire range.
“The marksmanship training on the range here teaches them basic weapons safety rules, shooting positions and maintenance procedures,” Godwin explained. “It’s a lot like the Marine Corps’ EMP course (Enhanced Marksmanship Program, training that teaches Marines how to quickly shoot targets at close range and rapidly reload their weapons.)
“The program teaches them the basics of marksmanship and how to shoot in different positions,” added Chief Warrant Officer-2 Kenneth R. Silvers, the battalion gunner. “The purpose is to make them more proficient for escalation of force scenarios.”
Silvers explained that in situations not meriting use of deadly force, Iraqi soldiers must know how to shoot to disable, rather than to kill. Precise shooting also helps prevent bystander casualties and collateral damage, he added.
In addition to helping teach weapons proficiency and safety skills, Iraqi noncommissioned and commissioned officers instruct students on basic military customs and courtesies, map reading, and first aid courses.
“It’s similar to our combat lifesaver’s course,” Godwin said referring to the Marine Corps program that teaches personnel how to perform quick medical actions in combat, such as stopping profuse bleeding and applying tourniquets.
An Iraqi military doctor works alongside the battalion’s medical personnel to cover these combat first aid topics.
Iraqi instructors also teach their soldiers patrol tactics to include moving through city streets, urban warfare tactics, and close quarter battle skills, such as clearing rooms.
“We will use this during our patrols to protect people from the terrorists,” stated Iraqi Pvt. Amar Aaman Abdullah Shmil, a soldier with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade. “(This training) is very good; we benefit greatly from it.”
To make their training package even more effective, ISF personnel are trained by the NCOs and officers who will command them in real-world operations. This helps the soldiers accustom themselves to their instructors’ leadership styles.
After the end of the 12-day training evolution, the instructors and Marines will test the students’ concept mastery via written and practical application tests. Once the class graduates, the soldiers will join the operational forces conducting missions in Fallujah.
According to Godwin, the Marines and ISF also plan to continue conducting periodic marksmanship refresher courses.
“Once we start this, the soldiers we’ve helped train will become the instructors,” he said. “(The battalion) will support this training until we leave here or operations don’t allow it.”
Godwin further said that the program’s goal is to “train the trainers.” Trainees today will become instructors for future Iraqi recruits.
Iraqi commanders said they believe this method is effective.
“(The soldiers’) performance today was very good,” stated Iraqi Maj. Waleed Khiled, a soldier from Baghdad. “We’ve done similar training before, but this new training’s focus is different and better. It prepares my soldiers for patrols, and it’s very helpful for them.”
U.S. troops will continue to help train the future of Iraq and overcome any challenges to do so.
“Of course the language barrier gets in the way sometimes, but we make up for it by using lots of signals and body language, and our interpreters,” said Cpl. Chris Vargas, a course instructor. “They ask lots of questions, and they’re motivated and eager to learn. So far, they’ve been really fast learners and very cooperative.”
"...7.62 caliber..." ???
Thanks for the post, Marine_Uncle.
"Thanks for the post, Marine_Uncle."
It pleases me to post such articles. I have a nephew in the Marine Corps on his second deploy to the pit. I have so much respect for them I almost bust. But more importantly such articles should better inforce in some minds the need for us to stay the course, and not pull out due to political pressures, some reasons given in my comment section. We need a complete victory in Iraq. And that will be achieved once Iraq is free to elect long term secular run governments. I have a feeling Iraq is not going to turn it's back on America in the future due to what we have done for them. More and more Iraqi's are freely admitting that they owe us a debt of gratitude for our nation to sacrifice so many of it's sons and daughters for their sakes. They will come around as the scum bags are all put into the grave.
"Corporal Escobar, not to be picking nits, but
"...7.62 caliber..." ???"
Yes, as in 7.62 x 39 Russian, the round used in the AK-47 series of weapons, which is what the Iraqi security forces are armed with.
I think his point was 7.62 mm not caliber. .30 caliber=7.62 MM. Some people need to have it exact I guess.
"I think his point was 7.62 mm not caliber. .30 caliber=7.62 MM. Some people need to have it exact I guess."
Caliber is the diameter of a cylinder, has nothing to do with said diameter being measured in either metric or English units of measurement.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=caliber
I thought you might be interested in the article below.
Comparing Apples & Oranges: Why The Training of Iraqi Security Forces is Taking So Long.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1532262/posts
Thanks for the ping. Yep. Like some of us have tried to touch on some of that article's points, the L/MSM have knowingly or otherwise, probably knowingly misrepresented the whole process.
I do hope many of our Freepers not familiar with things military will read the article. One of the key issues is in logistic support. As you can well imagine. It is not exactly easy to build up a fully operational supply and support force that can effectively stock,order-track,issue, all those things that go into running a modern army.
And at the moment we only have supplied the Iraqi's with three C130 cargo transports to act as both troop transport and supply transport.
Heck, we are in the process of building from scratch modernized supply depots for them, and training their new staffs as how to use the automated systems.
But I tell you nothing you are not accutely aware of. Hopefully word shall start getting out. Problem is how can one convince people that are non military in nature, work 40 hour plus jobs each day, either at home with the kids or at work places to want to put themselves into the military shoe, and learn all the basic things some of us take for granted. And the damn L/MSM and demorats know this, so they can control the public opinions to as usual be against the effort. Bastards should be hung, then shot a number of times while they hang.
If any of them where in any way supportive of this SASO, they could do very good mini documentaries on how we are putting together the whole ball of wax. Obviously that would go entirely against their agenda. Pric!'s should be shot.
Just in case you missed on this article. You might be interested in a quick review.
"Pric!'s should be shot."
My senitments exactly.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.