Militias steal new recruits with better pay and perks- “a career move"

[rodeodance]

> Militias steal new recruits with better pay and perks

> By Daniel McGrory
> Iraq'a militias are growing in strength, attracting many recruits from the US-run police academy
> The Times May 01, 2006

> SOON after he graduated near the top of his class at the American-run police academy, Alah defected. He did not bother to inform his superiors. The young Iraqi police officer simply walked into a recruitment office in a rundown neighbourhood of Baghdad and signed on for the Mahdi Army, the private militia run by the radical young cleric Moqtada al-Sadr that has been blamed for some of the most savage atrocities in this city in recent weeks.
>
> The 23-year-old absconder described it as “a career move”. The pay was better, the duties less onerous and there was far less chance of being killed.
>
> Three years after President Bush declared “mission accomplished” in Iraq, young gunslingers such as Alah are what passes for the law across much of this city today.

>
> Alah’s defection is a blow to attempts to rebuild Iraq. Western money and manpower trained him to replace the British and US forces. But, with young recruits deserting in ever growing numbers, the prospect of a swift pullout recedes still further.....

[rodeodance]

1. the downside: prospect of a swift pullout recedes still further...

[RethugAssKicker]

2. And many US soldiers are converting to Mercks...

The pay is 6 times better !