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MND-B Troop participates in historic SOI payday

Nov-12-2008 » Filed Under: 2/25 SBCT

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

PATROL BASE SOUTH, Iraq – The Sons of Iraq now receive their payments from the Iraqi government.

As such, the 53rd Iraqi Army Brigade conducted its first Government of Iraq-funded payday operations Nov. 10 at Patrol Base South, northwest of Baghdad.

Soldiers from Comanche Troop, 2nd Squadron 14th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, along with the 53-14 Military Transition Team, assisted the 53rd Iraqi Army soldiers in processing 506 paychecks.

“The Iraqi Army soldiers are pretty squared away,” said Sgt. 1st Class Charles Sproessig, the MiTT Team noncommissioned officer in charge, “Today is a huge step for them, and they will celebrate this tonight.”

In October, Comanche Troop Soldiers scoured SoI rosters, verified enrollment cards and identification paperwork, and paid each member $300 for the month’s work. Today their role was slightly less involved.

“We took somewhat of a back seat to (the Iraqi commanders) in that they were in charge,” said Capt. Travis Shain, commander of Troop C. He, along with Cpl. Cerone Waddy, a radio telephone operator, verified each member on the roster. From there, each member proceeded to the pay table to pick up their pay.

A group of 30 SoIs received a special visit prior to getting paid as Gen. Qais, the 53rd Iraqi Army Brigade commander, greeted each individual in the atrium prior to addressing them.

“I want to thank you all for what you are doing,” he said. “This is our country. You will not have to worry about employment as we will find a place for you with the Iraqi Army or the Iraqi Police.”

IA soldiers, along with SoI members, sang and danced to traditional music.

“This is a historic time for the people of Iraq. You’re seeing the fruits of the GoI’s labor. It was extremely complicated and took a lot of hard work and patience,” Shain said. “The fact that the GoI and Iraqi Security Forces executed this task with such ease speaks for itself in that they have come a long way.”


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