1st Iraqi to Graduate Army's Ranger School

A former lieutenant in Saddam Hussein's army on Friday will become the first Iraqi to graduate from the Army's Ranger School, a 61-day training ordeal that pushes soldiers to their physical and mental limits in forests, swamps and mountains.[snip]

With the collapse of Saddam's regime, Arkan's military career ended abruptly, but he promptly signed up when Iraq's first new Army battalion was formed in July 2003, he said.

He was selected to attend an officers' course at Fort Benning's Infantry School in 2004 and went on to graduate from the Army's Airborne School, also at Fort Benning, in 2005. Then he returned to Iraq until he reported to the Ranger school earlier this year.[snip]

Some of Arkan's Green Beret classmates practiced their language skills by greeting Arkan in Arabic, Brokaw said.

With the collapse of Saddam's regime, Arkan's military career ended abruptly, but he promptly signed up when Iraq's first new Army battalion was formed in July 2003, he said.

He was selected to attend an officers' course at Fort Benning's Infantry School in 2004 and went on to graduate from the Army's Airborne School, also at Fort Benning, in 2005. Then he returned to Iraq until he reported to the Ranger school earlier this year.

Arkan said he's uncertain of his assignment upon his return.

"As for the terrorist groups, their days are numbered," he said. "God willing, everything is going to be good."

1st Iraqi to Graduate Army's Ranger School