Company Commander Course develops Iraqi Army leadership

By Sgt. Chad Menegay, USF-I, DCG A&T PAONovember 14, 2010

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BAGHDAD -- Twenty-four Iraqi Army captains successfully completed the Company Commander Course at the Iraqi Signal School at Camp Taji Nov. 8.

During the 45-day course, these Iraqi Army officers learned all facets of company-level and small-unit leadership. The program of instruction included lectures on diverse subjects designed to further develop a professional and capable ground force within the Iraqi Army.

This is an officer professional development course where Iraqi Army captains learn their staff requirements, develop a better understanding of chains of command, as well as leadership requirements, said U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Hayes, United States Forces-Iraq's senior Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Army advisor to the Iraqi Army Signal School.

The course is a prerequisite to assume command at the company level, as well as for promotion to major.

"It builds confidence in the Iraqi Army," Master Sgt. Laurencio Gonzalez, ITAM-Army's senior enlisted advisor to the Iraqi Army Signal School.

Gonzalez specified that the Iraqis conducted this course on their own.

These company commanders will return to their respective units within Iraqi Army divisions and brigades where they will continue to develop capabilities leading to a modernized Iraqi Army.

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