Why are Iraqi soldiers so difficult to train? How did Saddam do it?

Question

"Iraqi soldiers...tend to fire all their ammunition in response to a single sniper shot or go on rampages even against civilians"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/31/AR2006103101123.html?nav=hcmoduletmv

Answer 1

I think the main reason we have problems training the Iraqis is that they are unmotivated. They have no sense of national unity and no particular attachment to the ruling government. I believe many of them hold a closer attachment to their particular sect or tribe than to a democratic Iraq.

Of course, I don't think the Iraqi army was ever very well trained. They relied more on brute force than finesse and maneuver. Like it says in the article you linked, spray-and-pray is all you need when faced with advancing hordes of Iranian infantry. Poorly trained conscripts would suffice for a war like that.

Counter-insurgency operations require much better training.

Answer 2

Because Saddam did not have a well trained army, he had a small group of thugs who scared those in the army into submission. They were pointed in a direction and told to fight or die.

Answer 3

Saddam had a lousy Army , we're trying to get past that but it's not easy .

Answer 4

well, saddam instilled fear of death. it should be stated more as a re-training, even though they are not saddam's soldiers. that is what they saw, that is what they delt with for years, that is how they learned to react.

Answer 5

Because they lived under Saddam's rule for so long, that they don't know how to fight.

Answer 6

Saddam didn't do it very well.

Answer 7

i think you answered your own question...he didn't