Progress of the New Iraqi Army

Staff Sgt. Mark Wojciechowski

Iraqi Army Soldiers walk through the streets of the village of Tahrir in Diyala Province. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Mark Wojciechowski, 133rd MPAD

HUSAYN FAYSI, Iraq - With the help of coalition Military Transition Teams, the Iraqi Army is improving in Soldier proficiency and discipline.

Members of the 5th Iraqi Army Division's MiTT, which is made up of elements from the 101st Airborne Division and the Army Reserve's 80th Division from Virginia, have been developing the Iraqi Army Soldiers to conduct many different military operations on its own.

Maj. Ala'a Hamid is the 3rd company commander of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division.

"The old Iraqi Army was built on the wrong basis," said Hamid. "The new Iraqi Army is now in the right direction."
"The new Soldier must be very healthy, he must have very good PT (physical training)."

As far as training is concerned, the new Iraqi Army is more serious about developing its new Soldiers and keeping them proficient.

"The old Iraqi Army was less focused on training, the new Iraqi Army is more focused on training," said Maj. Hasim Shamin the 1st company commander of 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division.

"It is most important that in the new Iraqi Army, its Soldiers do not belong to any militias and that they are just part of the goal of Iraqi freedom," said Hamid.

"The mission of the new Iraqi Army is not to occupy any country near Iraq; the mission of the new Iraqi Army is to make sure the security inside of Iraq is good."

The 5th Iraqi Army Division Soldiers are an example of how different religions can all work together for the freedom and unity of Iraq.

"In my company I have Sunni, I have Shia, I have Kurdish, and Turkmen, all of them support freedom in Iraq," said Shamin.

Master Sgt. Carl Waddle, the 2nd Battalion 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division's MiTT NCOIC, oversees the training and missions that the IA take part in.

"Overall they are doing well ... operationally they are able to plan and perform operations very well," said Waddle.

The progress of the Iraqi Army in this area of Diyala Province is setting the example for others to follow for the security and safety of the people of Iraq.

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