From new recruits, courage and honor

Multi-National Forces-Iraq ^ | 2nd Lt. Lawton King

[SandRat]

Maj. William Gerst (left), the assistant operations officer for RCT-5, and Maj. Brian Wirtz, a military advisor to 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, relax while Iraqi soldiers administer multiple screenings to the recruits. By the day’s end, the Iraqi soldiers enlisted 293 Iraqi males in Fallujah and Habbaniyah. Photo by: 2nd Lt. Lawton King

CAMP FALLUJAH -- Soldiers from the 1st Iraqi Army Division enlisted 293 Iraqi males from the greater Fallujah and Habbaniyah area recently as part of an al-Anbar province-wide recruiting drive - a sign, Coalition officials say, that Iraqis are looking to take charge of their country’s future.

“They looked enthusiastic about doing this, and that’s a good sign,” said Maj. William Gerst, a Regimental Combat Team 5 assistant operations officer who aided the Iraqis in the coordination of the campaign. “It’s a sign that they notice we’re here to help them and they are taking control of their own destiny.”

The enlistees offered similar explanations for signing up.

“I want to serve our country and defend Iraq,” said one recruit.

“Patriotism ... I want to defend my country,” offered another.

An Iraqi recruit rests in the shade while the others are processed during a recent Iraqi Army recruiting drive. Department of Defense photo by 2nd Lt. Lawton King.

After undergoing literacy tests, medical examinations, physical fitness evaluations and security screenings, eligible applicants signed contracts adorned with the Arabic header, “In the Name of God.”

The recruits were then transported by Marines from RCT-5 to a month-long boot camp in Habbaniyah staffed solely by Iraqi personnel drawn from the 1st Iraqi Army Division.

Upon graduation from basic training, the Iraqi Soldiers will report to the division of their choice and receive a period of leave.

“This is very important,” said Hassanian Mussa, a 32-year-old interpreter from Kut, attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st IAD. “This is a good step for these guys. The new government gives these guys the opportunity to show their loyalty to their country.”

Cpl. Clayton Busenga, assigned to a 2nd Brigade Military Transition Team, shared similar sentiments.

“It shows that we are working on leaving Iraq pretty strongly,” he said.

The courage of the Iraqi enlistees elicited applause from Marines and Iraqis alike present at the recruiting drive.

“The individual Iraqis know they are going to get targeted ... so I give them credit for that,” Busenga said.

“These guys are very brave,” agreed Hassanian.

[SandRat]

This is gonna drive the RATLEMMING SURRENDER MONKEYS KRAZY