THE CHALLENGES OF TRAINING THE IRAQIS

In a search practice, a trainee barely pats down an American instructor, missing the gun hidden in a belt. In a swift turn, the soldier turns around and pulls it out, stunning the trainee.

In the middle of a practice session, three Iraqis walk away from the unit to kneel down and pray, oblivious to the activity going on.

Spc. Ryan Steckler, 20, of Las Vegas said the differences in the culture amaze him most during the training. The Iraqis are ``used to their women cleaning up after them. Here they have to do it themselves.''

"Implementing discipline is probably the most difficult to teach,'' Steckler said.