Opinion: Training Iraqi Security Forces With a New Twist

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In al-Anbar province, a program that has been successful for strengthening security forces in other provinces such as Fallujah has been employed; the training of women to supplement the existing forces already in place.

Graduates of the Sisters of Fallujah program work at any number of entry points into the city of Fallujah, doing their part to dirsupt the flow of weapons and other contraband to insurgents into the city, The next class, the Sisters of Ameriyah-Ferris, are currently training with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, and are the first class to train outside of Fallujah as female security forces, with augmented support in instruction from female search teams from Combat Logistics Battalion 1, who conducted the five-day training course, held between the towns of Ameriyah and Ferris.

To thoroughly train the new Sisters to assist Iraqi Police, the Sisters studied topics such as police ethics, human rights, women’s issues, working in a terrorist environment, female searches and first aid. The Sisters also performed live-fire training with AK-47 rifles and 9mm pistols as a confidence booster. The final stage before graduation involved putting their newly learned skills to the test with on-the-job training at entry control points to Ferris Town.

“In contrast to Fallujah, which already has female search points, this will be a first for Ferris, meaning the women here are starting from scratch,” said 1st Lt. Kathryne Schilling, officer in charge of the training, who is overseeing her third class of Sisters with 3rd Bn., 6th Marines. The women were taught very basic skills since the idea of women providing security alongside all the male Iraqi Police is new to Ferris.

Personal protection is also a high priority for the Sisters; even though Amieriyah and Ferris are much smaller towns than Fallujah, the work they are doing is every bit as dangerous as their "Sisters" in Fallujah. For many, it is also their first job, and they are proud to be doing it. One Ameriyah-Ferris graduate said “I joined to help the Iraqi Police and to help my family. I’m proud to get this job. I’m proud to help the Iraqi Police. I’m going to make the city safer. I can prevent illegal passengers in the city. I’m so proud, I’m so happy.”

She should be happy, and proud, as well. In a region that has traditionally not been the most "forward-thinking" in the area of equal rights for women, these women are undertaking two very important steps at once. They are women who are entering into the work forces, and they are women who are undertaking some of the most dangerous work IN Iraq at the moment.

A lesson that could be learned, perhaps, on our own shores, as well, even today.