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In 2004,
then-Captain Robert Dixon of the
United States Army was charged
with a crucial task: helping to
train an Iraqi Army battalion.
He was tasked as an advisor with
Iraq’s 3rd Brigade, of the new
Iraqi Army. To complete his
mission, Dixon helped develop
over 30 instructional programs
for the Iraqis. Using the
approach of "training the
trainers", Dixon helped instruct
140 officers and
non-commissioned officers who
were then placed in positions to
better educate 900 soldiers in
the battalion.
He mentored
their leadership in the daily
grind of army routine, helping
them teach their soldiers
everything from marksmanship to
military operations in urban
terrain. His actions during the
formative phase of the unit
proved invaluable to them when
they later hit the front lines
to fight the insurgency and
protect their fellow Iraqi
citizens.
But Dixon’s support didn’t end
with the formation of the unit.
He also assisted the unit during
their operational deployment by
helping the battalion plan and
direct missions against
insurgents.
Captain Dixon’s efforts to get
the brave men of the Iraqi Army
operational and trained to the
highest standards possible were
invaluable. His achievements
earned him the Bronze Star.
Photo and information courtesy of US Army /
Dept. of Defense |
