Non-Commissioned Officer & Battlestaff Training Advisory Branch

The NATO Training Mission – Iraq (NTM-I) has a small team based at the NCO School at Taji Regional Training Centre. The NATO team consists of 4 personnel (Ukrainian, British, Estonian and Lithuanian) and works alongside a team from the US Iraq Training and Advisory Mission (Army) (ITAM(A)). The NATO team advise and support the staff of the NCO School in training the future elite of the Iraqi NCO corps. Its specific tasks include assistance in delivering the following courses:

 

Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Course

The SNCO course is a joint course designed to prepare selected NCOs and Sergeant Majors for employment as Chief Warrant Officers and beyond. The course includes subjects such as leadership and management, the roles and duties of NCOs, military law and operations. Four courses were completed in 2009, two courses so far in 2010 and two new 90-day courses are planned for 2011. A total of 182 students have been trained to date.

 

Train-The-Trainer Course

The T3 course is designed for the Iraqi instructors at the NCO School, recognizing their critical role in the future of the Iraqi NCO training system. Currently nine instructors have been trained to deliver subjects such as the methodology of radio communications, combat service support, land navigation and operations, and administration and daily routine. Their personal fitness, weapon and computer skills have also been improved.

 

This course is designed for instructors at other Iraqi Army NCO schools. The training programme is similar to that of the T3 course, and 39 students have completed the course so far in 2010. Every effort is made to ensure that the Taji NCO School instructors participate in this training in order to practice and develop their professional skills.

 

Battle Staff Training

NTM-I has been providing Battle Staff Training (BST) to Iraqi Army units and training centres since 2008. The training package is pitched at battalion level and includes the seven-step Military Decision Making Process (MDMP), staff duties and responsibilities, map reading and order production. In addition, at the Iraqis' request, aspects of counter-insurgency/counter IED analysis and operations planning have been added to the training package. Students have a chance to implement the theory in practice by participating in exercises. Seven BST training packages have been delivered since 2008 and a total of 186 students have been trained. Two more courses are planned before the end of 2010. For 2011, training will be pitched increasingly at Iraqi Regional Training Centre instructors in order to achieve Iraqi Army self-sustainment in BST. Courses will be extended to cover the T3 aspects and 3 courses are currently planned.