CAMP HAMZA, Iraq -- There is an old adage that says, "There's always something more to be learned." On one particularly small military outpost, which dots Iraq's vast desert, American and Iraqi service members are learning the meaning of that adage each and every day.As the Marines of Military Transition Team 0228, aboard Camp Hamza, Iraq, teach their Iraqi counterparts the finer points of modern soldiery, they find themselves stepping back and learning a few lessons of their own. "I'd have to say that outside of military views and ideas, they've definitely left me with a very different view of how important hospitality is," said 1st Lt. Gary Laughlin, operations advisor for MiTT 0228. "I know that is something that I'll carry with me for the rest of my days."
From hospitality to military philosophy and strategy, U.S. Marines and Iraqi army soldiers are exchanging ideas on a daily basis. However, the Marines said the Iraqi soldiers they are training now are very different from those serving four years ago. "I didn't see very many Iraqi soldiers during my first deployment, and what I did see wasn't the highly trained soldiers I work with today," said Sgt. Erik Lueras, operations chief with MiTT 0228. "But, when I saw them on my second deployment, I realized what we were trying to achieve. If it hadn't been for the different camouflage and AK-47 rifles, it would've been hard to tell them apart from Marines at a distance."
After seeing how the Iraqi soldiers had been transformed, Lueras knew he wanted to be part of the team involved in this training effort. Currently, Lueras is on his fourth deployment, and this is his second as a MiTT member.
The collective goal of the MiTTs is to train and mentor the IA and Iraqi Police forces to increase their effectiveness. "The Coalition is trying to establish the Iraqi army and police forces as a professional force," said a senior Iraqi officer with the 28th Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division. "We prioritized retraining all of our more experienced men first; this way they could move on and train newer members of the army."
Noticeable improvements have also been seen in the Iraqi logistical system. When walking across Camp Hamza, it is hard not to notice new military vehicles that are being cleaned and refueled. "My professional opinion is that the [Iraqi] army has made a significant improvement over the past few years," said Laughlin.
At the Iraqi army compound his transition team shares with the 28th Brigade, Laughlin sees the increased professionalism even in salutes exchanged between officer and enlisted personnel. "People now are talking about, 'What is victory in Iraq?'" said Laughlin. "But it was only a few years ago that victory for us was getting Iraqis to put their uniforms on and not go on unauthorized absence. Now, they're planning brigade-sized operations."
"We want to be like the Marines," said an Iraqi officer. "We're getting the volunteers, we're seeing the motivation, and that's a start. The 7th Division started from nothing, but now, working with the Americans, we see that we share the same destiny. Our victory is their victory, their victory is our victory."
When asked what was left to teach the IA and where they would go from their current position, Laughlin replied, "By this point, it's just the small things to work on - professionalization. Beyond that, it's up to them. It's their country." Walking off to speak with his Iraqi counterpart, Laughlin strolls past rows of Iraqi tactical vehicles, cleaned and ready for their next mission. An Iraqi sentry snaps to attention as Laughlin passes. In the distance, Iraqi noncommissioned officers blow whistles and wake their men up for another day of soldiery. This is the new Iraqi army.