Article

2003-09-18 Iraq

U.S. Says New Iraq Army Wonât Join Combat

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Posted by Steve White 2003-09-18 1:33:48 AM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I happened across the briefing in question on CSPAN. Slocombe was excellent. He is a walking quagmire killer.

Posted by Super Hose 2003-9-18 6:00:28 AM|| 2003-9-18 6:00:28 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 If the new Iraqi troops have any kind of self respect, they will soon demand to be on the Baath hunt detail. It would be a shot in the arm if some of the new Iraqi troops were part of the task force that catches Saddam.

Posted by mhw 2003-9-18 8:25:59 AM|| 2003-9-18 8:25:59 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 I agree with mhw. Getting some of these guys out with our troops--after they've had some training and screening--would be a great way to establish some close ties for future joint training and operations, establish a cadre of experienced veterans who will disseminate what they've learned, and help the Iraqi military re-establish a sense of pride in themselves and their country.

Posted by Dar 2003-9-18 10:24:30 AM|| 2003-9-18 10:24:30 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Read the first sentence carefully:
The new Iraqi army will not initially join U.S. troops in combat operations . . . .
They're not going into combat now because they're being trained. That "initially" suggests that they're going to be held back until training reaches a high standard, which is best for the long-term quality of the force. Don't want to send them out before they're ready.

Posted by Mike 2003-9-18 1:14:18 PM|| 2003-9-18 1:14:18 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Slocombe said that Iraq had an adequate basic training program that turned out recruits that could accomplish basic security functions. This cut the estimate to achieve force readiness by about a year. For example, most Iraqi males older than 12 years can field strip, clean and reassemble an AK-47 in a very short period. The existing soldiers can march and make their beds, but they have no leaders.

Slocombe says the training focus will be to establish a corps of effective NCO's and Junior Officers. He says out of the Iraqi force of 500,000 there were 11,000 people of flag rank. Kind of top heavy. Many of the flag rank and other military jobs were in the construction industry or performed other functions that whould be civilian jobs anyway.

Based on what I saw of the interview, I don't expect to see Iraqi soldiers on missions for a while. Without effective NCO's they would be a danger to everyone except the opposing force. I doubt that we have enough Arabic speaking Special Forces types to lead Iraqi soldiers in numbers.

Posted by Super Hose 2003-9-18 3:33:59 PM|| 2003-9-18 3:33:59 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 My suggestion, for what it's worth, is to put them to work securing the borders. That will give them experience, possibly slow down the jihadi influx, give them some well-earned (rather than pseudo) pride in performance, and some skill in handling unhealthy situations. Put them under competent US officers and SENIOR NCO's, with the instruction of that group to keep an eye out for quality officer and NCO candidates. After six to nine months on the border, give them responsibility to guard pipelines and oilfields, working toward giving them more control of the military requirements of the country as a whole as they progress in experience and competence.

Posted by Old Patriot 2003-9-18 5:18:47 PM|| [http://users.codenet.net/mweather/default.htm] 2003-9-18 5:18:47 PM|| Front Page Top

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