Pvt. Alexander Orban teaches first aid to a group of Iraqi police at the Risalah police station, northwest of Baghdad.
BAGHDAD (June 20, 2008) – It’s a phrase that has been ingrained into the heads of all Soldiers: “We train the way we fight.”
The Soldiers of mortar platoon, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, are ingraining that phrase into the Iraqi policemen, whom they train.
Soldiers of the platoon have dedicated their time to ensure the Iraqi police are well trained to ensure safety in their area. In the month of June, the training focus included first aid.
Pvt. Aaron Dixon, native of Baltimore, took the lead, devised and implemented a training program in which the mortar platoon medic ensures all the Soldiers in the platoon are trained and capable to pass on their knowledge.
“I trained the Soldiers (in first aid), and now the Soldiers are training the Iraqi police. Soon, the IP will be training the IP,” said Dixon.
He oversees the training sessions to ensure all standards are met. His enthusiasm for teaching has been passed down to the IP training officers.
“I love to train my men,” said Sgt. Raad Gazy. “It is my job now.”
Gazy is the training officer for the Nassir Wa Salem Iraqi police station, which is northwest of Baghdad.
The goal of the training sessions is to empower the IP training officer to teach and train the other IPs with little help from Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers. Since the beginning of the training, the IP training officers are beginning to “step up” and train their fellow policemen, Dixon said.