Fifty-Six Graduates Receive Diplomas
Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq
The NCO Academy continues to graduate non commissioned officers for the Iraqi Army. Began as a means of bringing professionalism and trained Non Coms to the ranks of the Iraqi Army, the Academy is part of the overall Operation Task Force Marne. The most recent class included Fifty-two Iraqi Army non commissioned officers ready to join their units, and four members of the graduation class were from the Iraqi National Police.
All graduates will be encouraged to take the lessons and skills learned at the NCO Academy and to return to their units. Then they can train soldiers in their units, spreading the knowledge and improving on the overall professionalism of the Iraqi Forces. The idea is for the future leaders trained at the NCO academy to take those lessons and pass them on readily to troops they lead.
“What are you going to do now? You return to your individual duty stations, you serve, you do your duty, and you try to make a difference,” said Sergeant Major Jessie Andrews, Jr. Sgt Major Andrews is the Chief Commandant of Task Force Marne NCO Academy, and overseas the training. SgtM Andrews addressed the graduating academy class members, and urged them to pursue success in their careers.
Students at the Academy are receiving training in a variety of areas. These areas include reacting to IED devices, detainee search procedures, building clearing techniques, Vehicle searches, and reacting and coping with small arms fire. The NCO academy uses much of the same training material and equipment featured on the Fort Stewart’s Warrior Leader Course, located in the United States.
