Just how long does it take to train security forces?

[KansDem]

It seems everytime I hear a reason to continue our occupation of Iraq, it's because the US needs time to "train security forces." We've been there for six years now! How long does it take to "train security forces?"

[havocmom]

1. Evidently, as long as it takes private contractors to collect every dime

the US can possibly borrow

[Soylent Brice]

2. and there's your answer. n/t

[EFerrari]

5. Yep. And why it's so irritating to hear anyone talking about Iraqis

"standing up" as if that's even an issue.

[Cid_B]

3. For people who have never heard of an "NCO"...

it might take longer than you think.

[Javaman]

4. The trick is not training them, the trick is keeping them from getting blown up. nt

[Igel]

6. Train them to do what?

Train how many of them at a single time?

Train those with 20 years' service and ingrained habits that need to be unlearned, or newbies with no prior training? Are you training people that have some sort of cross-tribe and cross-ethnicity respect, or those that consider the least of their tribe to be better than the best in any other tribe?

Can you train 1 million at a shot? Do you train tank operators just in operating a tank, or do you give him basic training first? Then what happens if your training isn't suited to their culture and needs? Can you go back and redo the training during the last 20 minutes?

And when people leave, do you replace them or just say, "Ah, well, I was to train X many, I've done it. Too bad they've all left."

My friend's nephew was trained as a Marine. Took over 6 months. Does that mean he's qualified to be a captain? A general? To repair tanks? To be a sniper? To clear a minefield? To lay a minefield? To run a mess hall for 1000 men? Maybe make up a strategic plan and a series of tactical plans to go with it? To set up an inventory system? A radio system?

And that 6 months started with somebody who already believed that the Marines should be fairly nice to civilians, who believed that not being from his tribe or clan or sect was really quite immaterial to being an American or being worth some sort of dignity.

Did you note that Obama's plan only pulls out *combat* troops, and leaves in a variety of others? Including, of course, cadres for training Iraqi troops, for advising, and, lasting, for logistics and support, and even troops for backup.