Before I post the pictures from the kids I want to touch on a subject that is at the very heart of this conflict here in the Middle East, Corruption. No, not American corruption, Iraqi. The last thing left to do to complete our mission here is to help the IA and IP establish themselves as a legitimate, capable, and competent force; but sometimes they seem so dead set against it.
We arrested a known ASA Leader a while ago, and we were finishing our evidence on him and preparing to send it off to the IA Brigade. Nope, IA Brigade released him suddenly and with out explanation or word.
Yesterday, my platoon is at the JCOP and the 3 best IA officers that I’ve seen in the year I’ve been here come to us. “The Colonel at Brigade took a bribe from [ASA] to let him go. $10,000 cash. He’s on the streets again.” Like hell we’ll let that happen, we know what this guy is, he’s orchestrated murders and anti-coalition activities. We ramp up, we’re going to re-arrest him and let these IA Officers hold him, screw brigade.
Someone else on the JCOP heard the IA officers talking and called the IA Colonel, who proceeded to call the JCOP and say “I’ve taken [ASA] into protective custody, if you want him come get him, and I want to see IA Officers [1], [2], and [3] I need to punish them for their insubordination.” We know better, these 3 were not being insubordinate they were doing their job; and because Muslim and Iraqi culture is so ripe with corruption a true scum bag is safe and 3 outstanding officers could lose their jobs.
We’re fighting for them, they’ve done wonders for our Company Sector. They work with us, they do patrols, they gather intelligence, they do their jobs. They are the perfect model of what we want the IA and IP to become.
Sorry, had to get that off my chest.
Now with out further distraction, here are the pictures from the kids at our school:
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Hope you enjoy those, there’s a whole box here that I’m dividing between myself and the PL to send back home. Thanks to everyone who donated their time, money, postage, and efforts. Special thanks to my Mother who orchestrated just about every aspect of the school supply shipment, and my little brothers AF JROTC at Dobyns Bennet HS for packing it all up to be shipped.
Anyways, I’ve got more studying to do I’ve only covered like 3 of 60 subjects on the board, so back to work! HA!
Stay Motivated.
EDIT: OK, so my scanner is having some problems…I’ll re-edit this post later when I can troubleshoot the damned thing and post the pictures then.