CAMP TAJI, Iraq – A soldier of passing importance once remarked that “an army marches on its stomach.” While the primacy of the gastronomical can be debated, the underlying idea, that it takes more than bullet-slingers to fight a war, is unassailable.

This necessity for logistics and support has not gone unnoticed by senior Army officials, both Coalition Forces and Iraqi. There is a concerted effort to work with the Iraqi Army to increase its ability to be self-reliant. The soldiers, or Jundi’s as they’re called, of the 3rd Battalion, 37th Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, are working toward that self-reliance by going through medical training.

“The emphasis needs to be on the Iraqi Army, on what they do,” said Capt. Dustin Cathcart, a native of Indianapolis, and commander, Military Transition Team, 1st Battalion 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons,” 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

The MiTT Soldiers of 1st Bn., 14th Inf. Regt., ensure the focus is on the IA soldiers and proper training.

Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Pierce of Cuthbert, Ga., assigned to the MiTT Soldiers of 1st Bn., 14th Inf. Regt., assists and mentors medics assigned to 3rd Bn., 37th Bde., 9th IAD, to ensure they receive proper techniques. A 14-year medic, who has already deployed once in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Pierce has a great deal of experience to offer the IA medics.

He and Sgt. Hussain Mussa Attwan, senior medic 3rd Bn. 37th Bde., 9th IAD, continually ensure the IA soldiers are trained on proper medical procedures. They have taught classes on how to apply trauma dressings and splint fractures.

The medics of the 3rd Bn., 37th Bde., 9th IAD, continue to show both initiative and growing independence by passing on their medical knowledge to the other soldiers of their battalion, said Pierce, adding that he is impressed with how the IA medics performed their duties and the initiative they take to ensure the care of their fellow soldiers.

“They coordinated with a (outgoing) convoy and brought the immunizations. That’s pretty impressive,” said Pierce.

The medics were sent to a Joint Security Station in the Taji Qada, northwest of Baghdad, to immunize soldiers instead of waiting for them to return to battalion headquarters.

This kind of work and initiative will ensure the IA medics are able to properly care for their fellow soldiers – ensuring a healthy fighting force.