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The second message comes from interaction with the locals. “Most of the product we put out is just a way for the people to talk to us,” said Williams. “So we can show them that we’re human... [and] we in fact are here to help.” Williams provides the mission product, but it is up to the Iraqi army to get out and distribute them in Ad Dawr areas with high pedestrian traffic. “What we realize is that the people want to see their guys doing the work. It’s their country; it’s their army now,” said Williams. “Putting their face on the mission …handing out product, [really is] just an avenue for them to come and talk. So we have the [Iraqi army] do it and the people come and talk to them.” This kind of mission is not something Iraqi soldiers are accustomed to doing. In the past, the Iraqi army did not understand that meeting and talking with the civilian population was vital to their success. “Face to face interaction engagements are something that we have been training them to do,” said Williams. “They say ‘that’s not what a soldiers does’ ….but it is now, so they need to get used to doing it.” According to Williams, the people are more willing to help out their own soldiers. Through these interactions with the people, the Iraqi army can demonstrate that their soldiers have good intentions and are doing a good job. Once they see that, they will be more willing to report “the bad dudes.” |
