Article

2005-07-24 Iraq-Jordan

Iraqi military improving, but still plagued by absenteeism

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Posted by Dan Darling 2005-07-24 02:45|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 ...units that are conducting operations and units that relocate elsewhere in Iraq experience a surge in absenteeism."

In other news:
Water = wet
Pope = Catholic
Bears = well, you get the idea.

By the standards of this part of the world, the IA is turning in a stellar performance. Bear in mind that the Jundis (Iraqui for private) are for the most part semiliterate dirt farmers (in my A. O. at least) who are still getting used to the idea of honorable military service. They are in addition busy fighting a conflict that is halfway between a civil war and an insurgency.

In this light, the AWOL/desertion numbers are fantastic.

Posted by N Guard 2005-07-24 06:56|| 2005-07-24 06:56|| Front Page Top

#2 Yes, but corruption is starting to take hold again like a cancer. It needs to be cut out early and rechecked often to avoid undermining the health of the body.

Posted by Hupavith Gletle6588 2005-07-24 08:12|| 2005-07-24 08:12|| Front Page Top

#3 During the American Revolution absenteeism was also a problem (as well as equipment shortages, of course). In doing genealogical research I commonly find reference to it. Actually, I find it during the Civil War as well. I don't have any statistics, and maybe it only seems common because it's one of the few things for which documents were created. On the other hand, maybe it really was common, and it was because being on home ground made it easy.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2005-07-24 08:16|| 2005-07-24 08:16|| Front Page Top

#4 being an all volenter force will make a huge differance in the long run.Instead of an army of reluctant conscripts they will have an army of dedicated,professional patriots.

Posted by raptor 2005-07-24 08:34|| 2005-07-24 08:34|| Front Page Top

#5 The Special Forces soldiers at Balad talked frankly about the pace of progress and challenges they face with training the new Iraqi forces. They recounted that many Iraqi soldiers and police officers are apparently losing much of their salaries to corrupt superiors who skim the payroll, leaving the soldiers and police to steal from civilians. This can be attributed to culture and custom and it's bound to disturb many people in the west.

from Michael Yon's online journal

Not going to reduce absenteeism if you keep stealing their pay.

Posted by Hupavith Gletle6588 2005-07-24 09:15|| 2005-07-24 09:15|| Front Page Top

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