Dec. 28, 2007
Story ID#: 200712281387

By Pfc. Brian D. Jones, 2nd Marine Division (FWD)

ZAIDON, Iraq (Dec. 28, 2007) -- “I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.”

These are famous words by Frederick Douglas speaking about overcoming struggles in the progress for human liberty. More than a century later, these words may express the sensitivity of how Iraqis feel toward their struggle for a better future.

Iraqi Police students waited for their instructor’s commands to be translated by the interpreter. The instructions were to work as a team and depend on the cohesion of one another’s strength and cooperation to execute a physical exercise. This was a challenge set forth for the students to help them rise above their past of ill feelings toward one another that separated them, keeping them from working together to achieve a common goal.

“They’re civilians that have been guarding checkpoints for months and are looking for some recognition,” said 1st Lt. Todd Richardson, a platoon commander with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6. “They’re looking for some actual authority as opposed to just being civilian watch and they’re finally getting their chance.”

Marines with Weapons Co. graduated 59 newly trained Iraqi policemen in Zaidon, Iraq, Dec. 20, after they reconciled tribal differences among their students.

Early on in the training, the Marines realized they would have to put forth an extra effort in building camaraderie among the class. They needed their Iraqi students to overcome their social differences that were causing disruptions. They relied on teamwork building exercises that required their students to set aside their differences.

Arguments interrupted the first day of instruction, almost leading the instructors to immediately fail students, a loss neither the Marines nor the police force wanted.

“I don’t understand Arabic, but I understand complaining,” said 26-year-old Ocala, Fla., native, Sgt. David R. Dahl, a chief instructor.

“It started out with a few hitches in the beginning,” said Dahl. “There were tribal differences and things of that nature. They were put into situations where they were forced to be next to people they didn’t like. Either they were going to be a team or they weren’t going to be apart of this.”

“You’re still a member of your tribe and you’re still a member of your community, but you’re not going to worry about your tribe and community as much as you’re going to worry about the country as a whole,” Dahl told his students.

Throughout a period of six training days the Marines taught their students a wide range of professional security force skills from marksmanship and detainee handling to human rights and medical aid.

All the Marines agreed there were moments their blood pressure rose, but they were glad to be teaching the students things they may not get a chance to learn anywhere else.

“Training was condensed into long hours leaving them little free time, which was good because it kept them focused on what they were doing,” said Dahl. “They were physically training, studying or sleeping. They weren’t given anytime to think about anything else.”

Discipline was on display from the Marines. Proficient execution of technique was shown. The Marines hoped the Iraqis would pull together and emulate their actions.

“The Marines actually came together really well on it and worked hard,” said Dahl. “Every Marine was very professional on how they gave their class and they were very hands on with them. When it was their time to go in front of the Iraqis they were experts on what they were talking about.”

As Dahl taught a class in detainee handling, he showed the class techniques to use to take down a resisting detainee. One student challenged him saying the moves wouldn’t work on him. Dahl offered him the chance to stand before the class and demonstrate his resistance to what Dahl had shown them. In a short few seconds, the student found himself on the ground restrained with a surprised look on his face to be proven wrong. The whole class sat there, admiring the skills of their instructor.

Dahl said he and other instructors would sit the students down after a long day of classes and speak with them to make sure the students appreciated the magnitude of their situation and the new responsibilities the students would take on upon graduating as police.

“I had a lot of talks with them about the importance of what they’re training for and the responsibilities that come along with the job,” said Dahl. “The change in their life they will have to make now and how their going to have to set examples for their community. They’re going to have to hold themselves above everyone else and do what is right for everyone, not just for themselves and their family.”

Dahl said they seemed to fully understand what he was stressing. He wanted them to know that this job meant more than just a paycheck to support their families, it was a chance to unite as a stronger force for the protection that would serve a greater and less selfish cause.

Dahl admitted he didn’t really believe it was going to work at first because of how argumentative the students were among each other, but in the end he said he was satisfied with the result.

“We have seen a difference in them,” said Dahl. “They’re working together and they’re trying to accomplish everything without any arguments. I think it was good for them and they learned a whole lot from it. It gave them such a focused look at it that I think they’ve made a dramatic change.”

After completing the course, the students graduated as the newest addition to Zaidon’s police force. With diplomas in hand, they each extended heart felt congratulations to one another and thanked their instructors.


Iraqi police students march in their graduation ceremony in Zaidon, Iraq, Dec. 20. Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, instructed the students. Over a period of six training days the Marines taught their students a wide range of professional security force skills from marksmanship and detainee handling to human rights and medical aid.


Iraqi police students line up for range exercises in weapons handling on a rifle range aboard Camp Fallujah, Dec. 18. Over a period of six training days the Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, taught their students a wide range of professional security force skills from marksmanship and detainee handling to human rights and medical aid. After completing the course, the students graduated as the newest addition to the Zaidon’s police force.


Iraqi police students work together in a teamwork building exercise called squad pushups during training, Dec. 20. The instructions were to work as a team and depend on the cohesion of one another’s strength and cooperation to execute a physical exercise. This was a challenge set forth for the students to help them rise above their past of ill feelings toward one another that separated them, keeping them from working together to achieve a common goal.


Iraqi police students help one another prepare their rifles before going to a rifle range Dec. 18. Over a period of six training days the Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, taught their students a wide range of professional security force skills from marksmanship and detainee handling to human rights and medical aid. All the Marines agreed there were moments their blood pressure rose, but they were glad to be teaching the students things they may not get a chance to learn anywhere else.


Iraqi police students take aim on their targets and fire a few rounds on a rifle range aboard Camp Fallujah, Dec. 18. Over a period of six training days the Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, taught their students a wide range of professional security force skills from marksmanship and detainee handling to human rights and medical aid. All the Marines agreed there were moments their blood pressure rose, but they were glad to be teaching the students things they may not get a chance to learn anywhere else.


An Iraqi police student aims in on his target and fire a few rounds on a rifle range aboard Camp Fallujah, Dec. 18. Over a period of six training days the Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, taught their students a wide range of professional security force skills from marksmanship and detainee handling to human rights and medical aid. All the Marines agreed there were moments their blood pressure rose, but they were glad to be teaching the students things they may not get a chance to learn anywhere else.


Iraqi police students intently listen to instructions before taking their weapons on a rifle range on Camp Fallujah, Dec. 18. “They’re civilians that have been guarding checkpoints for months and are looking for some recognition,” said 1st Lt. Todd Richardson, a platoon commander with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6. “They’re looking for some actual authority as opposed to just being civilian watch and they’re finally getting their chance.”

Labels: 3/3 Marine Regiment, Camp Fallujah, Good News, Iraq, Iraqi Police, photos, Regimental Combat Team 6, USMC