Capt. Nayeem, the Iraqi Army leader in Al Abara, met with Lt. John Hintz and Lt. Ted Goldner to discuss the recent murder of a highly respected Iraqi special forces soldier. While shopping at a local market the special forces soldier was shot in the back of the head. His death shocked and saddened Iraqis and Americans.

Everyone expressed the need to find the people responsible and bring them to swift justice. “We need to crush them,” said Goldner.

Without hesitation Capt. Nayeem replied, “Lazem, we must.”

For many American soldiers their Iraqi counterparts provide a familiar connection into a culture they struggle to understand. “Soldiers are soldiers wherever they’re from,” said one soldier from Attack Company who believes that soldiers share a universal culture.

While the American and Iraqi officers discussed the murder and shared information, the enlisted soldiers provided security outside. As the American officers entered the Iraqi Army headquarters, an Iraqi soldier approached SSG Eric Moroge and pointed at one of the officers. The Iraqi shook his head. In broken English he told Moroge that he didn’t like officers, only soldiers. Moroge laughed.

Once all the American and Iraqi officers were inside, Iraqi soldiers crowded around Stalker platoon. Ibrahim, the platoon’s translator had gone inside with the lieutenants, leaving the Americans and the Iraqis to communicate with each other using what little Arabic and English they know. PFC Jose Soltero and several others managed to have miniature conversations with a few words of Iraqi slang they’d picked up. The Iraqis retorted with a few words of American slang.

Weapons provided an easy point of communication. Iraqi soldiers were particularly curious how their 9mm pistols compared to the Americans’. Some asked the Americans for extra ammunition. One Iraqi’s impromptu lesson on how to fire a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) few soldiers delighted several of the members of Stalker platoon.

Iraqis with various ailments sought out Stalker’s medic, PFC Matt Graham. Graham taped an Iraqi’s fingernail that had been crushed in a car door, and told another man he’d try to bring medicine for his sick baby on his next visit.

The meeting was broken up when a higher-ranking Iraqi soldier began to yell. The Iraqi soldiers scattered and the Americans laughed imagining that the Iraqis were being reprimanded for leaving their posts to socialize.

While these small interactions provide American soldiers with a brief connection to the local culture there still remains a disconnect between Americans and Iraqis.

After working with Iraqi troops for nearly three months on his second tour in Iraq, SFC Mike Greer complains that Iraqis lack a sense of urgency. Sometimes it takes the Iraqi Army hours to respond to calls for support.

“Maybe it’s a cultural difference,” acknowledges Greer. While he believes that Iraqi Army has become a well-trained and professional force, he maintains that rapid response times are critical to an effective military.

The apparent corruption in the Iraqi Police upsets Americans the most. When the Iraqi Police apprehended two men trying to plant a bomb in a local mosque in Zahara, Lt. Hintz was pleased to see how well the Iraqis handled the situation. Yet within days reports surfaced that the bombers’ supporters were preparing to bribe the Iraqi Police to free the men, which happens quite frequently.

In the face of such frustrations, those in Stalker platoon develop mixed feelings about Iraqi military techniques and struggle to understand the social culture. Iraqi officer Lt. Ali achieved popularity and fame after allegedly throwing a motorcycle at a suspect he believed was withholding information, and eventually beat the man to death. While his methods were extreme, Lt. Ali was respected as one of the most efficient and trustworthy people in the Iraqi military.

Many Americans are uncertain how to support their Iraqi counterparts. Lt. Hintz remains uncertain how to feel about tactics used by those like Lt. Ali, but he notes that Lt. Ali managed one of the most stable areas in the province. Lt. Ali no longer works with the Iraqi Army. When his superiors tried to transfer to another region, he resigned rather than relocate. Americans are working to return Lt. Ali to his post.

Despite these challenges the Iraqi military remains the predominant source for cultural exchange between American soldiers and Iraqis. When insurgents attacked a local community council member’s home, Stalker platoon and other elements from Attack Company responded to provide assistance.

The council member’s security forces managed to repel the attack before Stalker platoon arrived. Still the council member appreciated the Americans show of support and invited the soldiers in for tea with his security staff.

Two Iraqi guards sat on either side of SSG Brad Hamblen, chatting about family. A photo of Hamblen’s three-year-old daughter inspired one of the guards to inquire if Hamblen wanted to set his daughter up with the guard’s son for a future marriage.

Uncertain whether the guard was serious or joking, Hamblen laughed uncomfortably. “If they ever meet and become happy together then they can marry,” Hamblen ventured. The two men shook hands, laughed, and had another round of tea.