We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/02/live_from_iraq_1.html Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:03:16 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2008 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification [by FbL] Last Friday in my continuing series of interviews with the senior leadership of 3rd Infantry Division/Taskforce Marne, I spoke to Command Sergeant Major Jesse L. Andrews, Jr. for about 45 minutes by phone. Topics covered included general security, the first graduating class of the new Iraqi NCO Academy headed up by 3ID, and the strategy of and living conditions on Combat Outposts. As the senior enlisted soldier in the battalion, he also answered questions about homefront support, and retention and morale in 3ID in the face of a heavy deployment schedule. Throughout the interview, CSM Andrews showed tremendous... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/02/live_from_iraq_1.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/02/live_from_iraq_1.html Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:56:31 -0600 Kat, those are great follow-up questions. I'll make note of them, since I'll have at least one more opportunity to interview the CSM in the next two months. But, please remind me when I ask for questions again. Yes, the officers are choosing the candidates. The CSM seemed very pleased with the students he received. I cannot overstate how excited and positive he was about the students and the growth he saw in the course. Something I didn't mention that I've seen in news reports about the Academy is that a small number of standout students from each two-week class will be retained to be instructors, with the idea that eventually the Academy will be run by Iraqis with Americans in an advisory capacity. The CSM also told me that part of the goal is to enable the students to return to their units and spread the training they've received. So, the Iraqi leaders knew that it would be high-intensity, and that they needed to send people with both learning and teaching aptitude. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/02/live_from_iraq_1.html#comment-69351 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/02/live_from_iraq_1.html#comment-69351 Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:45:36 -0600 I really appreciate the information. Though I have heard of the issues before. Am I to understand that the Iraqi officers select the would be NCOs to attend the class? If so, are the Iraqi officers choosing good candidates? What about manuals for the Iraqi Army for training and reference? Is there, anywhere, an attempt to formalize or standardize the information and orders? If there is any chance to ask follow on subjects, I'd be interested in knowing some of the details. Recognizing that there are plenty of issues with getting them on the ground and logistics to support the Iraqi army from the government, I would like to know what condition we may possibly leave them in. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/02/live_from_iraq_1.html#comment-69346 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/02/live_from_iraq_1.html#comment-69346 Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:11:59 -0600 http://www.daypoems.net/poems/1870.html The Brits had it easy, in comparison - they had a long-standing NCO tradition, and years to select and train their NCOs, among other things. If our guys can manage to accomplish a decent fraction of that (steady, dedicated, capable NCOs) in two weeks, they deserve all the praise that can be heaped on them. ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/02/live_from_iraq_1.html#comment-69343 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/02/live_from_iraq_1.html#comment-69343 Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:07:05 -0600