Sgt. Stisser Works To Communicate With Citizens
Baghdad
Sometimes you are able to learn what you need, and sometimes what you learn can be reviewed and put into play again.
Sgt. Stisser did not expect to return to Iraq, but when he found out he was he began to brush up on his Arabic for the trip. His efforts have been helping his squad and platoon since his arrival back in Iraq.
Stisser is a member of the “Outlaw†troop, Fourth Squad, 2nd Stryker Cav. Regiment. They are stationed out of Forward Base Prosperity in central Baghdad, and his unit is attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, First Cav, which is tasked to protect and defend the Karkh sector.
Recently Sgt. Stisser participated in a mission to clear an area, called Operation Saber Sweep. U.S. Forces from Stisser’s Battalion participated alongside Iraqi Army Soldiers, and troops went from building to building, going through apartments gathering information and looking for insurgent activity.
As troops went from apartment building to apartment building, one of the side missions that were undertaken was to gather census information. As intelligence and information gathered, citizens had some complaints.
Sgt Stisser was able to translate and help resolve a number of issues.
Because Sgt. Stisser is a Westerner who can converse in Arabic, it seems to win him trust and acceptance and help make the efforts of his fellow troops easier. Local Iraqi Citizens are impressed that he can talk to them in their native tongue, and it makes lowering barriers and gaining trust much easier.
