Iraqi NCOs Backbone of Iraqi Army

Much like our own military, the NCOs of the Iraqi Army are quickly becoming the backbone of the Iraqi Army. Their NCO academy has already graduated thousands of Iraqi Soldiers who are on the front lines protecting their nation against insurgents and foreign fighters and influences.

Iraqi Soldiers demonstrate the new NCO Academy obstacle course during a recent ribbon cutting ceremony.

To emphasize the importance of the NCOs, there were no official speeches by the senior officers at a ribbon-cutting event commemorating a new obstacle course in Besmaya, Iraq at the NCO Academy. Instead an Iraqi Soldier read the Iraqi Soldier’s Creed followed by an Iraqi NCO who read the Iraqi Non-Commissioned Officer’s Creed:

I am an Iraqi Noncommissioned Officer
I lead soldiers
I am professional and highly experienced
I lead from the front
I am an example of discipline and high morals
I ensure (keep) the discipline of my Soldiers
I place the interests of my country and my soldiers over my own personal interests
I ensure that my soldiers are well trained and prepared to fight courageously
I work hard so the officers over me can accomplish their missions without having to accomplish mine
I obey those above me and work on gaining their trust
I will never compromise my integrity
I will never forget nor will I allow my brothers and colleagues to forget– that we are professional Noncommissioned Officers
I will always be loyal to my country, to the people of Iraq, and to the army of Iraq
I am an Iraqi Noncommissioned Officer