BAGHDAD — The Iraq Army has accelerated efforts to train junior
officer.
Hundreds of Iraqis have been undergoing an officer's course at the Iraqi
Military Academy. The academy, located in Al Rustamiyah, has been conducting
a year-long military leadership development program based on the British
model.
On Dec. 28, more than 200 cadets were promoted to the rank of second
lieutenant in a graduation ceremony at the academy. The course, based on the
Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, focused on building command, leadership
and advanced military skills.
NATO has overseen the program to develop a junior officer corps in the
Iraq Army. The course began with basic training and development of initial
command and leadership skills.
The cadets were then taught advanced military skills and honed command
qualities. In the final stage, all of the skills were refined.
The course included Iraq Army instructors. The cadets consisted of
soldiers who acquired combat experience against Iraqi insurgents.
Under the Saddam regime, the officer's course lasted three years. But
NATO decided to reduce the course to match that given at Sandhurst.
The Iraqi Military Academy at Al Rustamiyah graduates more than 600 Iraq
Army officers every year.
