BAGHDAD-A dedication to leading and training Soldiers sets a non-commissioned officer apart from all other ranks of military service, but in order to lead, a good NCO knows you must first learn to follow.
This lesson could not be stressed enough to a group of NCOs from the 9th Iraqi Army Division taking part in a program to develop leadership skills. The program, which mirrors the standard Warrior Leader Course taught to U.S. Army NCOs, is a building block to helping Iraqi NCOs realizes their potential to train Soldiers and establish a leadership role for themselves in the Iraqi Army.
"We want [Iraqi NCOs] to realize they are more than just jundis (Arabic for Soldier), said Palm Springs, Calif. native, Staff Sgt. Chris Howard, the medical advisor with the 9th IA Military Transition Team. "We want to see them turn around that stereotype that the Iraqi officers are the ones who execute the orders in the unit. We are showing them how to stand up and be effective like the officers are in leading troops."
For the American trainers, setting a pattern of learning for these students is paramount for them to pass along the knowledge gained during this three week course. U.S. instructors touched on physical training, map reading, buddy-aid, weapons, and operations; returning all of these seasoned Iraqi Soldiers to a 'basic training mentality.'
"At the start of this course we could not do PT, or read maps, we didn't know how to perform first aid. But because of this class we have developed ourselves to be able to be leaders within our units, and we have the confidence in ourselves to have others learn from us," said Cpl. Salam, from the 9th IA Div. "Now I can do 50 push-ups, I am more efficient with my weapon and I know I am a better Soldier because of this opportunity," he added.
Along with learning from their American counterparts, the IA also taught classes during the course to help them gain the confidence needed to teach their newly acquired skills to fellow Soldiers once they graduate from the course.
"At first they were not comfortable teaching, but now at the completion of this course we can see the time we have spent with them is enabling them. Giving them the keys to be a successful leader, capable to stand next to one of our instructors and hold their own," said Howard.
Teaching these Iraqi NCOs to develop standards, honor traditions and values, and giving them the confidence to be strong NCOs who can develop their young troops, is the driving focus of MiTT members. The willingness to learn and carry on training and mentoring their brothers in arms is still an idea for the future direction of the Iraqi Army. However, the instructors and students of this course alike feel it is a great step in the right direction toward a more capable fighting force here in Iraq.
"This is not a change the Iraqis are going to make over night, and we know that," Howard said. "But we are confident we have given them the skills to make changes in themselves and their fellow Soldiers and we know it will eventually happen."
Social Sharing