3rd Infantry Division Operations - Fort Stewart - U.S. Army

50 3rd Infantry Division Operations
seemed feasible for the rest of Iraq. These groups were dubbed
first "Concerned Local Citizens" and later "Sons of Iraq" (SoI).
MND-C built a program for its companies, battalions, and the
BCTs so that SoI were contracted to secure their communities.
Under contracts SoI would man checkpoints. They would
report suspicious activities, turn over illegal weapons, and
promise not to fire on coalition forces. They wore distinctive
insignia, which for most was a reflective belt or vest. They
agreed to remain in their own communities. In return, coalition
forces would pay each member about $300 per month. SoI were
screened and enrolled into a biometric database. Many received
some basic training.
The SoI helped to “thicken the force.” This meant that as long
as SoI guarded their communities, coalition forces were free
to carry the fight to the enemy where he ran. SoI could not be
used as an offensive force. This arrangement was a great advantage.
Like the Iraqi Security Forces themselves, SoI spoke
the language, knew the culture, and recognized "wrong" when
they saw it. SoI had a vested interest in the future of their community
and they were trusted by the traditional Iraqi leaders -
the tribal sheiks and elders.
Clearly, many of the SoI had participated in the insurgency.
But, having been an insurgent was not in and of itself a disqualification.
The exception was that membership in the SoI was
prohibited for persons who were known to have killed a coalition
force member or innocent Iraqi. An SoI member did have
to be 18 years or older. Reputation also counted. If a man was
known for affiliations with terrorists, he would be detained and
rejected. Times had changed and al-Qaeda and Shia militias
had emerged as a common enemy to the people of Iraq and the
coalition.
There were personal benefits for SoI. Membership carried