Iraqi police train at weapons range

Military Police, April, 2004 by Todd Pruden

With the help of soldiers from the 382d Military Police Detachment, Iraqi police officers are getting the chance to hone their skills on a live-fire weapons range. The 382d, an Army Reserve unit from San Diego, California, is assigned to the 18th Military Police Brigade, part of Task Force 1st Armored Division.

The training is part of a 3-week integration program intended to teach Iraqi police officers basic weapon fundamentals and provide them the opportunity to brush up on basic police skills. Many Iraqis have never fired a weapon--they rarely practiced and were taught to put rounds downrange and hope that they hit the target. The training is designed to develop marksmanship skills and produce effective police officers.

The training consists of a two-day classroom program to learn basic weapon function and safety measures and a four-day range program, with the final day designated for qualification testing. The fundamentals taught include the basics of marksmanship--breath control, proper trigger procedures, sight alignment, and muzzle awareness.

The firing range consists of paper targets containing human silhouettes. The Iraqis practice shooting from three distances, the longest being 15 meters, using Glock 19-series pistols.

Personnel from the 382d believe that the Iraqis were unaware of the weapon's capabilities. Under the old regime, they had no self-confidence, but now they are confident in their abilities. The Iraqis look forward to the opportunity to provide protection for themselves and their citizens.

Corporal Pruden is a U.S. Army Reserve journalist with the 372d Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Nashville, Tennessee. He is currently attached to the 1st Armored Division Public Affairs Office in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.