A report on the graduation of the second class of new recruits to complete the 203rd Iraqi National Guard Battalion's New Recruit Training.

On 31 AUG 2004, Charlie Company of the 203rd Iraqi National Guard began conducting their second basic training class for new recruits. The 203rd ING Bn organized and implemented a basic training course in order to meet their MTOE requirements of 192 soldiers for their company located in Isahki, Iraq. Today [22 Sep 2004], 78 recruits graduated and joined the ranks of the fastest growing ISF [Iraqi Security Forces] organization in Iraq. “Today is a great day for this Battalion. We have grown in many ways, and thanks to Task Force 1-77, we are stronger”, stated LTC Shakour Faris.

The class started with 117 soldiers, but today only 78 soldiers gradated. “These are the most motivated soldiers we have trained yet”, said the ING OIC [Officer In Charge] 1LT Mothafar Al Motalib, “but we the soldiers’ training is not finished now, many will still attend ING Basic Training (conducted on Forward Operating Base Dagger) later on, and others will get a chance to attend the PLDC [Primary Leadership Development Course] course in Tikrit.”

This 203rd ING Basic Training program focuses on physical fitness, basic first aid, land navigation, and basic rifle marksmanship. The first week included in-processing, hours of Drill and Ceremony, and a lot of physical fitness! Recruit Ahmed Khalaf said of the first week, “We marched a lot, which was easy, but the pushups and running have made me quit smoking.”

The second week focused on basic first aid. Medics from Charlie 1-26IN donated their free time to aid in the training. It included proper usage of splints, pressure bandages, and other minor first aid procedures. Week three covered Basic Rifle Marksmanship, Traffic Control Point, and FTCP operation. “Practicing the check points will help us. Since our check points will keep bad people out of Ishaki, I want to make sure we do a good job”, stated Recruit Firas Ahmed.

Today’s’ graduation was another milestone for this ING Battalion. The course was entirely run by an ING OIC and three ING Drill Sergeants who are being overseen by members of Charlie Company 1-26 IN attached to TF 1-77AR. “If we are going to operate our own country, we must operate or own security forces. To do this, we need good officers and NCOs so that our training is of good quality, and we are always ready”, stated LTC Shakour.