Posted on 12/01/2005 2:47:30 PM PST by PsyOp
For the last year I heard one criticism after another directed at the training of Iraqi Security Forces. In the last month, that criticism has reached a crescendo as the debate on when or whether to leave Iraq has raged in the media—a media that has turned into an echo chamber for bad information and mis-interpreted facts.
The main complaint is why Iraqi security forces are not ready to step up and take on the terrorists so we can get the hell out. After all, it only takes twelve weeks to train a U.S. Soldier or Marine, and the Iraqis have had a year or more of training. Right?
Wrong! The reason people don’t understand the problem, is because the “facts” that have been parroted by the media concerning the realities of troop training are wrong. Here’s why.
1. It takes longer than 12 weeks to train a U.S. Soldier or Marine. Only “Basic Training” takes 12 weeks. At Basic troops are physically conditioned, taught to shoot and march straight, shown how to wear their uniforms properly, and instructed on the basics of functioning as part of the military.
2. After Basic Training, a recruit is sent for another 12 to 36 weeks of “Advanced” basic training where they learn the specifics of their assigned job in the military. This is where they learn to be Infantrymen, Tankers, Mechanics, Clerks, etc. Most of these schools last 12 weeks, some take much longer.
3. After 6 to 9 moths of “Basic” training, recruits are finally sent to their first unit assignment. There, they are inserted into an established unit; one staffed with professional soldiers, NCO’s (sergeants) and Officers with years of training and experience behind them. This is where the new recruit’s training continues until he/she is considered competent to perform their assigned duties without constant supervision. Training never ends.
4. The training required to produce the competent Officers and NCO’s needed to lead these troops’ takes longer. The minimum time to train a competent Junior NCO is about 3 years (basic training + 2 years of on-the-job-training + 12 weeks at an NCO academy). The minimum time to train a new lieutenant is longer than that (2-4 years of ROTC or Service academy training, and 6-9 months of OBC—Officer Basic Course).
5. In Iraq, enlisted soldiers, NCO’s and Officers are being trained concurrently (side by side). Junior Officers and NCO’s are being selected from among the smartest of the recruits.
6. In Iraq there are no established and experienced units to send them to where they can gain experience and confidence needed to carry out their duties. They are all learning on-the-job, as a unit.
7. The units that are being created have no logistical or administrative structures in place to support them in their field operations. These units are being formed, but in the meantime, Iraqi Security Forces must rely on the U.S. military for its support infrastructure. Even a competent fighting unit will find its effectiveness greatly reduced or negated if it does not have the proper support units backing it up.
8. When we went into Iraq it was thought that rebuilding the Iraqi Army / Security forces would just be a matter of getting rid of the “upper management” that was loyal to Saddam, leaving a core of professional junior officers and NCO’s around which to build the new force. Such was the case with Germany and Japan after WWII, and elsewhere in the history of regime changes. Instead, we found the entire structure rotted throughout, requiring us to rebuild the whole thing from scratch. No mean feat, and not one that can be rushed or expected to be completed in a year, or even two.
The education of recruits also plays a part. In the U.S. you need not apply unless you have a high-school diploma. Even then, you will need to pass a military placement/aptitude test before being accepted. In Iraq, where the literacy rate is only 50%, we cannot be as picky. The literacy, education, and intelligence of recruits play a large role in how quickly they can be trained.
It is now the end of 2005. The training of Iraqi security forces has been going on for about 2 years. Iraqi troops have been training and learning on the job with the help of the U.S. Military. They have taken part in numerous operations and done well in some and not so well in others. They are getting better every day and in another year may be able to do the job without our help.
It their training taking too long? NO!
By any rational standard, the pace of their training is on track and moving forward at a fast pace. Those who complain that the Iraqi Security Forces were not able to go out and kick terrorist butt after a mere 12 weeks of training are living in a fantasy world that has never existed. Most of the terrorists have had years of training in various terrorist training camps or as loyal members of Saddam's former army. Many of the terrorists are trained Muslim mercenaries from Syria, Iran, Chechnya, and elsewhere.
Anyone who makes the statement, “why can’t we train the Iraqi’s after two years when it only takes six-weeks to train our guys”, as a caller stated on Sean Hannity’s radio program, is devoid of all understanding of the facts.
How do I know all this? 11 years of military experience. I started as fresh recruit out of basic training and as an enlisted man gained the rank of E-5 (sergeant). I left active duty to go college, and there joined ROTC. I eventually graduated college with a commission as an Army Lieutenant. I’ve trained and trained others.
It’s time that these “Basic” facts start hitting the airwaves and blogs. You can’t build an effect fighting force from scratch in six weeks, or even six months.
One of the things that bugs me about this is, I've heard this "training" complaint numerous times over the last year on shows where ex-military were part of the interview, and not once, except last night on O'Reilly, have any of them spoken up to debunk this growing urban myth.
These guys are brought onto these shows as "military experts" and they let bad facts, one after another, fly right by them without correction.
You're most welcome.
Excellent, concise explanation of the real situation!
This article is SO "right-on"!!! The only thing I would add is that if you want to see 12 weeks of "training' in action, go talk to one of those Jihadis who are going to Syria, crossing the boarder into Iraq, get a strap-on bomb belt or a truck packed with explosives, and pointed towards a "target". The difference between these "trained-just-in-time" stooges and a well-trained, well-rehersed, and disciplined soldiers/marines like the US (and now Iraq) have is like night and day.
I hope and pray that those who think just 12 weeks of training is all that is needed before becoming "Combat Ready" NEVER get in a position of authority!
Semper Fi.
See you in a few weeks.
"Starship Troopers is one of my favorite novels. And even though the movie only loosely followed the book, I liked it, too. For a civilian, that book is probably the best insight into what a professional Army defending the ideals of personal liberty and responsibility is all about."
"I hope and pray that those who think just 12 weeks of training is all that is needed before becoming "Combat Ready" NEVER get in a position of authority!"
Unfortunately, many of them already are.
I liked the movie for reasons completely different than the ones I like the book for. I learned long ago not to go see a movie based on a book I read and expect to make favorable comparisons. In this case I had seen the movie first and read the book afterwards (found an old copy in a used book store). Though I had played the Avalon Hill game by that name in high-school.
looking forward to it.
BTTT.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!
I heard that idiotic call today and wanted so much to call in, but was driving at the time and wasn't able to do so. It's a shame Sean has no military experience. If he did, he would be able to shut down this inane mantra immediately.
"It's a shame Sean has no military experience. If he did, he would be able to shut down this inane mantra immediately."
Very true. That's why we have to start putting this information out. I would suggest you send my article to your favorite media person. Then challenge them to run it by the military person of their choice for verification. Liberal Urban myths about Iraq have gone unchallenged too long.
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