7th Iraqi Army Division Soldiers graduate Marine weapons class

            CAMP MEJID, Iraq – It was the product of an old relationship, and the start of a new one.

            Forty-four Iraqi Army Soldiers from the 7th IA Division graduated from a two-day Marine weapons maintenance and armory course, which included lessons on the M-16 series service rifle, here Aug. 7.

            “This is a beautiful step between us and our friends, the Coalition Forces,” said General Sabah Mutab Helhel, deputy general, 7th IA Div. Helhel noted the long standing relationship between Coalition Forces and the fledgling IA, and that classes and training like this course were a product of that relationship.

            “We will all benefit from what the friendly forces are teaching us, and hopefully we will have more (classes) down the road,” HelHel said.

            With the 7th IA Div., slated to field the M-16 series service rifle to its Soldiers in replacement of the AK-47 by February 2009, Marine weapons maintenance classes may increase in frequency.

            “They really paid attention when (the instructor) broke down the M-16, so they know what to expect in February,” said Steve A. Jabero, an interpreter for Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group.

            Along with lessons on the M-16, students received helpful tips from the instructor about their own organic small arms.

            “They have their own way of doing things, so I just shared my views of their weapons,” said Lance Cpl. Sterling N. Hagan, armorer, Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 5, 1st Marine Division. Hagan, 21, Greenburgs, La., learned most of his knowledge about foreign weapon systems from confiscated items brought into the armory.

            “I just showed them any defects that I saw, and how to deal with them. I showed them what to look for as far as misfires and possible defects,” Hagan said.

            The Marines conducting the course also emphasized proper weapons storage and armory administration. Helhel’s words at the graduation mirrored the Corps’ sentiment toward its Marines and their rifles.

            “Armorers should never accept weapons that are dirty,” Helhel said. “Maintaining our weapons is important. A bad weapon makes for a bad Soldier. With that weapon you defend your family and your nation.”

            The two-day course was not a one-way street however, as the Marines who organized the course learned both about Iraqi maintenance methods and their culture.

            “Our gracious host, the 7th IA Division allowed us to share the culture of their Iraqi Soldiers, while we were able to pass on the knowledge of our particular logistical field,” said Master Sgt. Gregory P. Zenoni, 41, Lexington, S.C., operations chief, CLB-6, 1st MLG.

            With an M-16 in the hands of every IA Soldier by mid-2009, there’s one more field Iraqis can learn from any Marine: rifle maintenance and marksmanship.