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SOLDIERS FROM V CORPS' 1ST ARMORED DIVISION SCREEN IRAQI POLICE HOPEFULS

V Corps Release

Release Date: 2/9/2004

By Staff Sgt. Mark Bell 372nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- It was Sunday morning, but by 4 a.m., more than 600 Al Rashid residents arrived hoping to begin new careers as Iraqi Police Service officers.

Sponsored by the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, assigned to V Corps' 1st Armored Division Artillery here, residents spent hours waiting patiently in line during an initial application process at an Iraqi Civil Defense Corps camp in southern Baghdad.

As more applicants arrived at the muddy, water-filled compound, several dozen ICDC guardsmen assigned to the Buedingen, Germany-based cavalry regiment began searching men for weapons or other illegal items and controlling the crowd of applicants.

From a brief physical examination to random security background checks, Soldiers scrutinized application forms and checked applicants' health conditions to ensure the best 500 are submitted for possible admission into the Baghdad Iraqi Police Academy.

Applicants ranged from 20-year-olds looking for their first jobs to a career carpenter looking for a new occupation.

"I want to serve my country and live in peace," said Iyad Hassan, 28, a carpenter who hasn't seen work in months. "I think the future of Iraq is good. I know from my heart it will get better. The American Soldiers will help our country get better."

An initial screening ensured that applications were properly completed and the applicants met the basic age and education requirements. Applicants must be 20 years old and have a diploma from a primary secondary school, said Sgt. 1st Class Brad Engelhorn, of the 1/1st's Comanche Troop, the NCO in charge of the two-day recruitment process.

Working to help make a better Iraq with a new Iraqi Police is an important job, said Pfc. Derrick Nunley as he looked over each application.

"We are helping them build a better Iraq," he said. "By being a part of the application process, it shows them that we are actually making an effort to help them get back on their feet."

From the initial application review, medics and physician's assistants saw applicant, checking their blood pressure, eyes and abdomen. Obesity, uncorrectable bad vision and diabetes disqualify applicants, said Capt. Eric Klage, a physician's assistant assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop.

"First of all, we are looking to make sure they are overall healthy," he said. "We are looking for a history of disease or disorders that would disqualify an applicant. We basically are doing a quick and general head to toe medical check to ensure there are no obvious medical conditions that would hinder in their ability to perform as an Iraqi police officer."

From eyes, throat, lungs and heart checks, the medical staff moved the applicants through the process efficiently and quickly. For some it was the first medical examination of their lives.

In two days, the team of several dozen cavalry Soldiers expected to screen more than 800 applicants. Engelhorn hoped that 500 applicants would be selected for the Iraqi Police Academy the first day.

"This is just the beginning process that we do to help the Iraqi people establish their own police force," he said. "These people need to start taking care of themselves. This is the only way this country is going to see change."