This must be secret because it hasn't been on any of the news
programs.

************************************************** *******
Class Work Complete, ICDC NCOs Ready to Lead

by Sgt. Susan German. 122nd MPAD

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps officially welcomed its
NCO “backbone” during graduation ceremonies for the first Primarily
Leadership Development Course March 11.

The NCOs completed the first class of the Primary Leadership
Development Course conducted in Iraq by the United States Army.

The ceremony was held at the Camp Muleskinner, which is home to the
2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Support Squadron. The regiment is part
of Task Force 1st Armored Division.

One hundred sixteen ICDC soldiers participated in the historic
ceremony. The program followed the U.S. Army’s traditional ceremonial
sequence of events.

It began with the arrival of the official party, which included
members of the cadre, as well as guest speaker Command Sgt. Maj.
Michael Bush, 1st Armored Division command sergeant major.

Following the national anthems of the United States and Iraq, the new
noncommissioned officers recited the NCO creed and charge in their
native language.

“You are the history makers of this great country,” Bush told the
NCOs.

He and Master Sgt. Johnny McKenzie, the NCO academy commandant,
presented diplomas to the soldiers. As they walked through a receiving
line, their chevrons were “wetted down,” following an NCO tradition.

Fifteen Training and Doctrine Command drill sergeants from Fort Sill,
Okla., led the trainees through a 113-hour program of instruction
(POI). The course focused on six areas: leadership, communication
skills, maintenance, professional skills, military training and
military studies. Emphasis was placed on leadership and professional
skills.

Following a strict training schedule, the Iraqi soldiers practiced
drill and ceremony and conducted physical training during the two-week
course. Every classroom had an interpreter and instructional slides
were presented in both English and Arabic. Soldiers were required to
take a written exam and also received periodic counseling to evaluate
their progress.

The initial course was opened up to soldiers serving in senior
leadership positions such as platoon sergeant through sergeant major.
Attendees were recommended for the course by their U.S. Army partners.
Most served in leadership positions to prepare them for attendance in
the class. Medical screening and background checks were conducted
before soldiers reported for class.

“The general theme of the course was “BE KNOW DO.” Three simple words
that the (Iraqi) Soldiers could speak, are easy to remember and when
you apply the concept to the NCO corps, that’s what we expect,” said
Sgt. Maj. David Davenport, the 1AD operations section sergeant major
(G3).

The drill sergeants said they were pleased with the progress made by
their students. They learned basic commands in Arabic, but depended on
interpreters to relay their messages. Drill sergeant Staff Sgt.
Richard George said the cadre ensured that commands were understood
correctly was through repetition of every task.

The respect that the ICDC soldiers had for their instructors became
evident during the post-ceremony celebrations. The new NCOs hoisted
their drill sergeants onto their shoulders while chanting traditional
Iraqi cheers and songs as they carried them around the hall.

The ceremony marked a new beginning for the NCOs and their country as
they assumed leadership positions in their nation’s defense, Davenport
said.

“I’m very excited about it,” Davenport said. “They’re very eager to
assume their new role.”
************************************************** ********

John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!