Leaders' Course Welcomes Iraqi NCOs

[unhappycamper]

Leaders' Course Welcomes Iraqi NCOs
Military.com | Spc. Emily J. Wilsoncroft | January 18, 2008

FOB KALSU, Iraq - As the midday sun warmed the ground at FOB Kalsu Jan. 15, 56 Iraqi soldiers stood beside 18 U.S. noncommissioned officers, in front of two countries' flags, with one common purpose and made history.

The Iraqi soldiers comprised the first group to begin training at the new Task Force Marne NCO Academy, and the first-ever group of Iraqi Security Forces to attend a leaders' course.

Multi-National Division - Center Command Sergeant Major Jesse L. Andrews Jr. welcomed the soldiers with a short ceremony.

"The two-week course that we have designed will teach you, the students, the basics in leadership and combat tactics, and enhance your procedural abilities to be able to train, teach, coach and mentor soldiers in your units," Andrews told the trainees through an interpreter. "For years, our NCO Corps has been called the 'backbone of the Army.' We want NCOs and leaders of the Iraqi Security Forces to gain this same distinction - to become the backbone of the ISF."

His words were met with enthusiastic applause from the Iraqis, who seemed all too eager to get started right away.


rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,160386,00.html