January 19, 2007

New Iraqi Soldiers Conquering Bootcamp


By Sgt. Michael Tuttle
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

KIRKUK — The transformation from civilian life to military life is similar, regardless of the country a soldier serves. For new Iraqi recruits it begins with the issuing of uniforms, a rifle, an introduction to military rules and intricate details of how to make a bunk and organize a locker. After six weeks of basic training the new jondis, or Iraqi soldiers, will graduate to join the Iraqi army’s swelling ranks as it emerges as a self-sufficient force.

The Regional Training Center in Kirkuk has 1,800 to 2,000 Iraqi soldiers cycling through basic training at a time. This number is up from 1,500 because of Iraqi and U.S. plans to add 30,000 new Iraqi soldiers by mid-2007. The RTC will train about 8,000 of those new recruits.
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(Iraqi army trainees attempt to zero their AK-47 rifles during basic training at the Regional Training Center in Kirkuk.)

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