Iraqi Army, Police learn to train their own

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Pfc. Bethany Little, USA

[SandRat]

Soldiers of the 33rd Iraqi Army Brigade practice teaching each other unarmed self-defense moves during the last day of a Train the Trainer program, Aug. 20. Photo by Pfc. Bethany Little, 172nd Infantry Brigade.

PATROL BASE HUSAYNIYAH — Soldiers of the 563rd Military Police Company prepared Iraqi Police and Army members to train there own forces through the Train the Trainer program here, Aug. 20.

The Train the Trainer program instructs one group, who in turn go back and instruct their fellow Police and Soldiers on the unit level.

"We're teaching them things like unarmed self defense, personnel searches and vehicle searches to help better protect themselves and the Iraqi citizens," said Sgt. Maj. Richard E. Worthy, operations non-commissioned officer, 33rd Iraqi Army Brigade Military Transition Team (MiTT).

This Train the Trainer program is in its fourth installment since the transfer of authority with the previous 33rd Iraqi Army Brigade Military Transition Team seven months ago.

"We're teaching them so that they will be able to pass along their new found knowledge in non-tactical and tactical skills to their Soldiers," said Maj. John K. Thiessten, Combat Advisor, 33rd I.A. Bde. MiTT.

The primary focus of the Train the Trainer program is to train the non-commissioned officer corps of the Iraqi Army and Police.

"The Iraqi Army is officer driven right now and we want to change that," said Worthy, a native of Brownwood, Texas. "By strengthening and professionalizing their NCO corps, they are able to teach their Soldiers and continue to grow as an Army without us."

[SandRat]

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[SuziQ]

Excellent! If we leave Iraq with a professional Army and police force intact, we will have done a lasting service to the people of that country.