Rumsfeld Visits Transition Team Training at Fort Riley

American Forces Press Service ^ | Sgt. Sara Wood, USA

[SandRat]

FORT RILEY, Kan., Nov. 10, 2006 -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld stopped here yesterday to view the training of military transition teams preparing to deploy to Iraq and assist Iraqi security forces.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld addresses students attending cultural awareness training at Fort Riley, Kan., Nov. 9. The soldiers are preparing for deployment to Iraq. Photo by James M. Bowman  '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Stopping here after delivering the Kansas State University Landon Lecture, Rumsfeld saw firsthand a language lab, an improvised-explosive device display, and an Iraqi culture class soldiers go through before deploying. The soldiers training here are part of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division and are scheduled to deploy in January. The military transition teams from the 1st Infantry Division will be embedded with Iraqi army and police units.

In the language lab, Rumsfeld was shown the instruction programs the soldiers go through. The soldiers start with a formal language instruction course with instructors from the Defense Language Institute and move on to a self-paced study program. The soldiers learn basic Iraqi terms and military phrases.

The IED display contained many examples of different kinds of homemade bombs used in Iraq. The soldiers are given classes about IEDs and also go through training scenarios. Army Maj. Gen. Carter Ham, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, told Rumsfeld that the military transition teams get extra training about IEDs so they can keep themselves and their Iraqi counterparts safe.

The cultural class teaches soldiers how different Iraqi customs and aspects of the culture can affect military operations.

Speaking to the soldiers who will be part of the transition teams, Rumsfeld said the work they do is important, and is proven to be effective. In the long struggle against terrorism, it will ultimately be the Iraqis' responsibility to take over security of their country, he said.

"The task we have is to help them get to the point where they can do that," Rumsfeld said. "There isn't a doubt in my mind that this job can get done and it can get done well."

Rumsfeld noted that security improvements alone cannot solve the problems in Iraq, but they are an important aspect of success. Military transition teams are critical to success in the security situation, he said.

[SandRat]

FORT RILEY and the Big Red ONE

[caisson71]

"If you're going to be one, might as well be a Big Red One".

[SandRat]

And I was! 121 Sig BN and 1st ID DIVARTY.

[caisson71]

Is there any way to hold up that deployment since the troops are coming home? Why send over more troops if the plan is to quit? Seems senseless to me and contrary to what the American people voted for. Sorry.......it's just a resurrection of my VietNam era pissedoffedness.

[SandRat]

In a way I'm sorta hoping that GW calls all the Joint Chiefs in and says "FINNISH IT NOW but JUST GET IT DONE! DROP THE HAMMER ON 'EM! HARD! Do it before the New Year!"

[caisson71]

I like the way you think.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

I hear you, my brother.

The American sheeple are no longer worth the bones of a single Nebraskan grenadier.

[caisson71]

One more soldier/sailor/Marine/airman/Coastie lost from Tuesday forward is one too many for a country that turns its back on their military. This is the second time in my lifetime this has happpened and it is two too many. There is no turning back this time.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

One more soldier/sailor/Marine/airman/Coastie lost from Tuesday forward is one too many for a country that turns its back on their military. This is the second time in my lifetime this has happpened and it is two too many. There is no turning back this time.

My sentiments exactly.

[uncbob]

The American sheeple are no longer worth the bones of a single Nebraskan grenadier.

I have been thinking that for many years now

Started wwhen America elected a draft dodging- I loath the military -Clinton

What really got me is when my dumb ass nephew a Maj in the Air Force reserves at the time voted for him

I tried to warn him

6 months later he was extremely sorry

[uncbob]

This is the second time in my lifetime this has happpened and it is two too many. There is no turning back this time.

If you are not counting the Clinton years do so It would make THREE

Average American doesn't deserve his/her freedom

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

1. We will be attacked after the Dems finish losing this war for us.

2. We will be unable to win the war with Democrats allowed to run around loose.

3. I'd much prefer a population base of 200,000,000 of high loyalty than a population base of 300,000,000 of dubious loyalty.

[uncbob]

Military got it double barrel

First the DEM Presidential candidate who missed by one state of being President insults them

Then the voters screw them

To be truthfully though I don't think those that put the DEMs in on Tuesday realized what the hell reality is in politics--committees--etc and if they knew how it would affect the military would not have voted like they did
That doesn't excuse their stupidity though

I have another nephew a major in the Army Engineer reserves
He was in Samolia when he was active --got called up 2 years for the Iraq war but was staioned stateside

After his first 8 years active he got out but then went back in the reserves

I asked him "How the hell can you go in with an Ahole like Clinton as CIC ?"

He said he liked the military

[uncbob]

We will be unable to win the war with Democrats allowed to run around loose.

I think Rummy and Bush are at those bases to try and bolster morale and insure the troops of commitment

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

I think Rummy and Bush are at those bases to try and bolster morale and insure the troops of commitment

Contrary to what Jon Carry thinks, the troops are not stupid. They know what's going down.

[uncbob]

It is maddening but with the Marxists in control of the MSM and all but acting as propagada conduits for the Muslims I can't figure how to combat it

I think they reported on the Kerry gaff on purpose ( normally they would cover that stuff up ) to get him out of the road for Hillary's run