How to Build a
Strong All Volunteer Force Iraqi Generals get Advice From USAREC By Maria Hernandez Recruiter Journal
A
s the Iraqi Ministry of Defense (MOD) builds a military of volunteers, its desire to learn recruiting techniques brought the Ministry’s personnel chief to U.S. Army Recruiting Command headquarters in April. USAREC Deputy Commanding General Brig. Gen. Henry Huntley warmly welcomed Staff Lieutenant General Ra’ad Hashim Kadim, the Iraqi MOD Deputy Chief of Staff Administration, and his staff of four generals for a command briefing and a recruiting station visit. Presenting a command briefing in English and Arabic, USAREC staff directors spoke about the aspects of successfully recruiting a strong all-volunteer force to include, market intelligence, social media, outreach efforts, the Future Soldier Training Program and the multidimensional market analysis that one must consider for recruiting. Huntley reiterated, “We are an all volunteer force and not every citizen wants to join. This allows us to select those who have the best qualities for our service. We want Soldiers who want to be a part of our army.” Also accompanying the Iraqi delegation was Kadim’s current American military personnel advisor, Air Force Col. Michael Gall, and Gall’s predecessor, Army Col. Anita Dixon. “The MOD generals are here to learn and discover mission about how the U.S. Army and Air Force use their personnel and administration systems,” Dixon said. “It’s important that they develop promotions, retirements,
assignment management for enlisted and officers, and personnel records automation.” The Iraqis visited Human Resources Command the previous day while at Fort Knox, receiving a command brief and tour. Dixon said that the Chief of the Office of Security Cooperation — Iraq, Army Lieutenant General Robert Caslen, Jr., recommended the trip for Kadim so he could see how the United States built the world’s largest and strongest all-volunteer Army. Kadim and his team expressed their gratitude in traditional Arab fashion, presenting Huntley a plaque representing their homeland. In return, the deputy commanding general presented each Iraqi visitor with the USAREC Liberty Bell plaque and a history book about Kentucky. Kadim and staff also visited the Virtual Recruiting Center where they received another briefing. Iraqi Staff Maj. Gen. Kasim Muhamed Saleh was especially interested in the operation, asking many questions. After lunch the group toured the Elizabethtown Recruiting Center where Staff Sgt. Michael McCloskey, assistant center commander, explained a more detailed breakdown of the recruiting process and showed off some of the tools in the center used to attract recruits. As the group was departing the center, the Iraqi generals were excited to meet an applicant who was meeting with his recruiter. They asked him some questions and with a big smile Kadim told him “Yes, you should join the Army, this is the best place that you could join for your country.” Recruiting Command Deputy Commanding General Brig. Gen. Henry Huntley greets Iraqi Staff Lt. Gen. Ra’ad Hashim Kadim upon his arrival at U.S. Army Recruiting Command Headquarters in April.
JIM WELKER
MARIA HERNANDEZ
Iraqi Staff Lt. Gen. Ra’ad Hashim Kadim, through his interpreter, talks with a Future Soldier at the Elizabethtown, Ky., Recruiting Center.
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