Despite slow start, Iraqis show progress building new army

[unhappycamper]

Despite slow start, Iraqis show progress building new army


Despite slow start, Iraqis show progress building new army
By Geoff Ziezulewicz, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, February 28, 2008

BAGHDAD — Habeeb Issa Araby al Khazraji remembers exactly where he was when the old Iraqi army was dissolved by Paul Bremer, head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, in May 2003.

“I was at home, sitting jobless,” said Habeeb, a colonel who now commands the new army’s 5th Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division.

As he now tries to move this new battalion forward in Baghdad’s Khadamiyah neighborhood, Habeeb said through a translator that Bremer’s move was “the big mistake” in this five-year war.

A 15-soldier Military Transition Team from the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment is helping this young unit, formed in May, tighten up. But it didn’t necessarily have to be starting at this point, he said.

Keeping the structure of the old army could have given the U.S. something to work with, he said, instead of starting from scratch, and security would have been better as well.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52899

[mysteryman2]

1. Enlist Felons

It's no secret I am a criminal profiler. You want to stop prison overcrowding make a bill for early release paroled to join iraqi forces. you get out early to join the iraqi military untill it gets established. Some of the people going back for parole probation are given the option to enlist.

they really wont be part of the iraqi army but usa army they just fill in the ranks untill it can be more established.

under my plan it cuts prison overcrowding. i heard at one time putting felons in the service was more prevelent. it still goes on but less lets do it again.

i call it revenge saddam let all his criminals out. we are doing the same thing just being more humane. we will need more military police to go after awols/ absconders what ever you call it.

i think it will work. hillary obama contact me i am, for hire.