I Pledge Allegiance to - Iraq

Want an honest opinion of what it is we need to do to ensure the sucurity of Iraq? Then take a look at this piece by Lt Col Scott Rutter a Silver Star Recipient and former commander of 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry, who took part in capturing Baghdad International Airport during the combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He writes:

'I Pledge Allegiance to Iraq'
By Lt. Col. Scott Rutter

Training Iraqi soldiers requires more than just weapons and equipment. In our rush to change direction, let’s not overlook the fundamentals.

The strength and soundness of our military is based on the willingness of our soldiers to put this country above their own self interests. Those who volunteer to wear our nation’s uniform, recite the following oath:

"I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM) THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; AND THAT I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE ORDERS OF THE OFFICERS APPOINTED OVER ME, ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS AND THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. SO HELP ME GOD."

This simple paragraph forms the foundation of strength, duty, and loyalty in the U.S. Armed Services. When a soldier says these words, he is bound by them, above all other priorities. This is the enlistment oath taken by military personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States. Careful inspection of the oath reveals some of the truths necessary to successfully train the Iraqi Army.

There has been much talk of the need to infuse up to 40,000 U.S. trainers in the Iraqi Army. This will be helpful from a tactical standpoint, but it misses the big picture. We have currently trained an Iraqi security/military force of more than 300,000 and have been doing this for the past three years. In training the Iraqis we must not forget that the core principle of the United States Armed forces is the allegiance that these men and women pledge to protect this nation.

This same loyalty and obedience must be infused in the Iraqi armed forces. If the soldier is given all the equipment and training in the world, but is not loyal to the nation, then that training and equipment is futile. When a Sunni soldier is sent on a patrol to root out a Sunni cleric that is acting as a gang member against the Republic of Iraq, their duty to Iraq must trump their religious and sectarian affiliations. Similarly, if a Shiite soldier is sent out to patrol a Sunni sector of Baghdad, he must not kill or harm Sunnis civilians without a legitimate threat to the nation of Iraq.

Read the Rest....

Lt.Col Rutter I believe is right on, the emergting Iraqi forces need that sense of honor and duty to a cause higher than their own skin in order to survive. When Iraqi's begin putting their country first instead of their tribe or sect, then Iraq will suceed.