thedrifter
01-05-08, 06:55 AM
Marines prepare for Iraqi NCO training
Published: Jan. 4, 2008 at 11:46 PM
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- A U.S. Marine non-commissioned officer academy at Forward Operating Base Kalsu expects to host its first class of Iraqi soldiers Jan. 14.
"We're going to be teaching them everything -- combat orders, combat medical, map-reading, mounted patrols, dismounted patrols, weapons, rules of engagement, duties and responsibilities," Master Sgt. Michael Howle, the new training facility's commandant, said in a release to the American Forces Press Service. "The instructors who were selected are supposed to be some of the best NCOs we have here."
Marines underwent preparations for the launch for the past month starting with eight empty tents. The facility now has three classrooms, a squad training exercise lane and a shoot house.
Class sizes are limited initially to 20 Iraqi soldiers from three platoons, but projections estimate as many as 180 attendees will participate in the future.
Marine officials see the NCO academy as a way to expedite the handover of day-to-day security operations to Iraqi forces.
"This is a good step for the Iraqi army," said instructor Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Newton. "Once they get their NCO corps established, they'll be much better off."
Ellie
Published: Jan. 4, 2008 at 11:46 PM
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- A U.S. Marine non-commissioned officer academy at Forward Operating Base Kalsu expects to host its first class of Iraqi soldiers Jan. 14.
"We're going to be teaching them everything -- combat orders, combat medical, map-reading, mounted patrols, dismounted patrols, weapons, rules of engagement, duties and responsibilities," Master Sgt. Michael Howle, the new training facility's commandant, said in a release to the American Forces Press Service. "The instructors who were selected are supposed to be some of the best NCOs we have here."
Marines underwent preparations for the launch for the past month starting with eight empty tents. The facility now has three classrooms, a squad training exercise lane and a shoot house.
Class sizes are limited initially to 20 Iraqi soldiers from three platoons, but projections estimate as many as 180 attendees will participate in the future.
Marine officials see the NCO academy as a way to expedite the handover of day-to-day security operations to Iraqi forces.
"This is a good step for the Iraqi army," said instructor Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Newton. "Once they get their NCO corps established, they'll be much better off."
Ellie