2009.03.17
16MAR09--Embedded Iraqi Officers
US units sometimes embed junior Iraqi officers into US units for a few weeks in order expose the new Iraqi Army to how we operate. Hopefully, the Iraqi lieutenants take lessons learned back to their units to implement changes.
The embed program may show only modest results now but will pay dividends in years to come well after US involvement has ended, as new leaders move up the ranks, take command, and make decisions for their own units.
At the end of an embed cycle, the officer's Iraqi unit holds a graduation ceremony and presents him with a certificate. The lieutenant has a sense of accomplishment and achievement that was not commonly offered in the Old Army.
Iraqi Lieutenant in mid-salute after graduating from the embed program.
Iraqi Lieutenant with his embedded US unit after his graduation from the embed program. These Americans clearly accepted this junior officer as a brother, who wears a different uniform.
