Post-Saddam Iraq Army gets first advanced training
BAGHDAD — The Iraq Army has begun advanced training in cooperation
with the U.S. military.
The Iraq Army's 6th Division, 4th Brigade conducted a live fire exercise
as part of a commando course held by the U.S. Army, according to Middle East Newsline. The course
began on July 8 at the Iraq Army compound in Mahmudiyah and was scheduled to
continue until Aug. 7.
This was the first advanced course by the post-Saddam Hussein Iraq Army.
The course was designed by officers from the U.S. Army's 2nd Brigade Combat
Team.
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"We thought it would be a great idea to offer something a little more
advanced to the [Iraqi troops]," U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Tony Grinston
said. "So we developed the commando course, which offered advanced training
in areas such as marksmanship, physical fitness, map reading, land
navigation and troop-leading procedures."
Officers said the three-phased course, based on the U.S. Army Ranger
course, began with 100 Iraqi soldiers. Within the first day, nearly half of
the soldiers dropped out.
"This is not an easy course," Grinston said.
Officers said the Iraqi soldiers have been learning to conduct
missions without help from their officers. They said the course consisted of
weapons-use, troop-leading procedures and land navigation, advanced combat
lifesaving, and air assault operations.
"This course is just as challenging, if not more challenging, than U.S.
Army courses that I have been through," said U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Carvel, a
2nd BCT squad leader. "The Iraqi soldiers are dealing with hotter
temperatures and rougher terrain than traditional U.S. military students
deal with. This is not an easy course, but it is the right kind of course."