IP Seeks Recruits In Salman Pak

Pfc. Jeremy Weflen, a medic with Co. A, 1-15 Inf. Regt., takes a retinal
picture of an applicant at an IP recruitment drive in Salman Pak July 30.

STAFF SGT. CARLOS J. LAZO
TF MARNE PUBLIC AFFAIRS
COP CLEARY — It began with a bit of confusion and awkwardness. Superiors were busy ensuring everything was set, and subordinates asked each other if anybody would show up.

At first no one did, and a disappointing silence fell over most of the building.
Some wondered if the rest of the day would be the same. Then, through the large, rusty handled, metallic gate, they came. They came throughout the day, local
Iraqis wanting to apply for work at the Salman Pak Iraqi police station during a recruitment drive July 30.

Organized by police of the Mada’in district and supported by the 59th Military
Police Company, the drive allowed Iraqis in the area to apply to serve as a
“Right now, we’re just helping them with security,” said Capt. Elizabeth M. Cane, commander, 59th MP Co. “They (Iraqi police) put the whole drive together.”

This is the first recruitment drive in Salman Pak in quite some time, Cane said. Applicants had to be Iraqi and between the ages of 17 and 35. Police also checked to ensure recruits were healthy and didn’t have a criminal record. Once they applied, candidates enrolled in a Coalition database and were required to provide their name and contact information to the police station.

Everybody (who applies) is put into the system, said Pfc. Jeremy Wefl en, a medic with Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. Additional requirements include a written exam, physical fitness test and a medical exam, all to be administered at a later
screening. Cane said the police will sponsor more drives across the Mada’in Qada. The recruitment drive yielded a total of 122 applicants over the course of the week.