[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Sounds like you are on the right track. Patience is the key and never lose your sense of humor-can't see your front sight blade when you eyes are watering with anger. The frustration you are dealing with is normal and you are right about getting the NCO corps to function, that certainly is what makes our military what it is. Officers basically exist to enable their NCOs to achieve success. One other thing you have to understand about FID and that is, and while this sure as hell is not going to be apparent in the trenches, that the military actually plays a supporting role in this effort. In order for your efforts to have any meaning in the long term it is going to be the Iraqi government, supported by its economic recovery and psychological effort, that has to resolve the problems that are fueling this insurgency aspect against the country. That, unfortunately, as I am sure you are aware is a long term effort and I mean really long term. There is one other aspect that is unique to your situation and that is the big picture of fundamentalists who are using the insurgency not only to distable the fledgling government but also to co-opt their own religion and that is something that is a lot bigger than just what is going on in Iraq. We had something similar in Vietnam for those of us that worked with the Montagnards but that was a movement that was more akin to what is going on with the Kurds where they are pushing for autonomy and that was the FULRO movement. You have to tread lightly in any FID environment because what you do and see at your level can have major impacts down the road if what you do is not exactly in line with the overall goals of the country and its government, dispite the loyalities and sympathies you may develop on the battlefield for the folks and their own aspirations. Good luck.