posted on Oct, 10 2003 @ 05:55 PM
This is the latest entry in GWB's blog...................
October 10, 2003
US training of Iraqi solders creates more than just military bonds
Iraqi Civil Defense Corps recruits and U.S. Army Sgt. Dujon Moss built a trusted friendship during the process of reconstruction in Iraq. Iraqi
soldiers or military college students commend their American drill sergeant after completing training, ready to help protect their newly freed
country.
The U.S.-led coalition plans to recruit and train about 21,000 corps members by February. They will staff checkpoints, protect convoys and try to root
out loyalists of ousted President Saddam Hussein, who are still well-armed and mounting daily attacks in some parts of the country. After Iraq has a
constitutionally elected government, the corps is likely either to continue as a national guard or be folded into the new Iraqi army.
At the recent ceremony, 228 men graduated. Moss helped train 55 of them.
As an instructor, Moss wanted to teach more than just military skills. "I wanted to give them hope," he said, "to let them know they are somebody
and they can be successful if they just apply themselves."
"Now we've learned the real meaning of being a soldier," he said. "We are quite ready to serve our country, and now I am starting to love
Americans because we actually met here people such as Sgt. Moss."