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Iraqi troops graduate Warrior Leader Course

By Pfc. Michael A. Molinaro
February 6, 2006

AL HILLAH, Iraq (Army News Service, Feb. 6, 2005-- More than 20 Iraqi soldiers graduated from a program last week in Al Hillah equivalent to the U. S. Army’s primary leadership development course or Warrior Leader Course.

In the previous Iraqi regime, only army officers received such military training, Coalition officials said, adding that noncommissioned officers and their soldiers received no formal training. Now Iraqi soldiers are now learning advanced warrior skills under the tutelage of Coalition Forces.

‘Sabers and Scimitars’ training

The program equips NCOs with tools to further train their soldiers, said Sgt. 1st Class Charles Carrasco, head trainer, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “It’s basically a train-the-trainer program.”

The four-week program educated Iraqi soldiers on individual and small-unit tactics. Blocks of instruction and training focused on improvised explosive devices, tactical control points, building clearing and land navigation.

After three weeks of intense “Sabers and Scimitars” training, the soldiers were challenged with practical exercises to test their new-found knowledge. The week culminated with a live-fire exercise involving room clearing and close-quarters combat.

The graduation Jan. 30 symbolizes what hard work will accomplish and shines as an example to other soldiers, said Iraqi Col. Hatem, commander, 2nd Bde., 8th Div.

Grads to train other Iraqis

The Iraqi soldiers proved to be highly skilled in many areas before the training began, said Carrasco. These soldiers have combat experience. The program was implemented to train the trainer in order to train the other soldiers in the battalion.

“These guys are highly proficient, and I would go anywhere in Iraq with them,” said Capt. Mark Kovalcik, commander, Troop C, 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav. Rgmt. “I would conduct any operation with the full confidence that they would excel.”

Iraqi soldiers, in partnership with Coalition Forces, have conducted numerous cordon and searches and raids together. The more capable they are at training their own, the quicker they achieve self-reliance and become a more cohesive and potent force against the enemy.

“A leader must have the ability to lead from the front,” said Maj. Earnest Boyd, team chief, military transition team. “Iraqis training Iraqis will make them much better at fighting terrorism.”

The graduateds will immediately put their new-found skills to the test when they begin training soldiers from 1st Company.

“It is our ambition to be the ones who defended our country and got rid of terrorism in Iraq,” said Iraqi 2nd Lt. Mowafak Hussain, infantryman. “We are eager to apply this training to the rest of our battalion so that we all can fight the enemy as one great unit.”

(Editor’s note: Michael Molinaro serves with the 2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.)