U.S. Trains Ex-Sunni Militias as Iraqi Police

[Barrett808]

Source: NPR

Morning Edition, June 21, 2007 · In Iraq's Anbar province, west of Baghdad, thousands of men have signed up to become police. But there aren't enough academies to train them. So instead, the national government has sanctioned the creation of extra neighborhood security teams made up largely by former Sunni tribal militias who now support U.S. forces.

On an open dirt field just a few miles outside the U.S. base in Fallujah, about 50 Iraqi men dressed in dusty green uniforms march in formation while their Iraqi drill leader shouts instructions.

They're part of the new provincial security force in Anbar province, trained by U.S. forces. The men line up and listen to an explanation of the day's drill — an obstacle course and firing exercise. Nearly all the men in this class are from the same tribe — the Jumali — and these teambuilding exercises are meant to leverage that bond.

One of the trainers, Marine Sgt. Tony Storey, addresses the troops.

"What I require from you as a platoon is that you get out and you support these men because they are a member of this team, of this family," he tells them. "You understand?"

Read more: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11240000

[saigon68]

1. Nice

</sarcasm>