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Faik, an attorney who processes claims at the Radwaniyah Palace Complex Civil Military Operations Center Government Information Center, discusses a new claim with Capt. Jonathan Gross of New York City, N.Y., claims adjudicator with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Oct. 29. (US Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy, 3rd BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault))
Pfc. Zach Miron of Tulsa, Okla., a paralegal with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), goes over a claim as Huda, Government Information Center administrator translates to an Iraqi woman Oct. 29 at the Radwaniyah Palace Complex Civil Military Operations Center (US Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy, 3rd BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault))
BY Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – The nondescript building at the Radwaniyah Palace Complex Civil Military Operations Center may not look like much, but it represents a beacon of hope for some Iraqis.
While the Government Information Center at RPCCMOC provides several services, some may argue that the most valuable is paying of legal claims.
With the Commandos of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), on their way back home, this is one of the many missions the Rakkasans of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) have taken over.
“(Local Iraqis) come in with all kinds of complaints,” said Huda, GIC administrator who also provides translations between the Iraqis and U.S. Soldiers who process the claims.
Huda and Faik, the Iraqi attorney who works at the GIC, do most of the work concerning claims. “(People) come in with requests to be paid for damages … and I help (file) new claims,” Huda said.
Faik determines whether or not a claim is legitimate. He and Huda prepare the paperwork and collect the evidence required to prove that the claim is valid. The 3rd BCT legal office personnel determine whether or not the United States is actually responsible for said damage and whether or not the claimant will be paid.
“Sometimes it is not for the United States to pay, it is the fault of an explosion … by terrorists,” Huda explained, adding that for the 2 ½ years she has worked at the GIC there are some months when less than half the claims are found to be legitimate.
When claims are deemed valid by Faik, the packets are forwarded to the 3rd BCT legal office for a final review and payment.
“By the time it gets to me, it’s already been determined that the claims is legal,” said Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Williams of Tampa, Fla., senior 3-101 paralegal and foreign claims pay agent. He, along with another Soldier, actually makes the payments to the claimants.
“My job is both good and bad,” Williams said. “Obviously, I pay money when the damages were caused by the United States. But at the same time, when a claim is denied, I have to explain that the United States is not going to pay.”
The CMOC is a blessing for the Iraqis, Huda said. She said now the Iraqis feel that they have a means to get assistance. “It’s very great for them and they are grateful for it.”
She added, “I like to help; it is good for me because I help the people and the U.S. Army.”
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – The nondescript building at the Radwaniyah Palace Complex Civil Military Operations Center may not look like much, but it represents a beacon of hope for some Iraqis.
While the Government Information Center at RPCCMOC provides several services, some may argue that the most valuable is paying of legal claims.
With the Commandos of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), on their way back home, this is one of the many missions the Rakkasans of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) have taken over.
“(Local Iraqis) come in with all kinds of complaints,” said Huda, GIC administrator who also provides translations between the Iraqis and U.S. Soldiers who process the claims.
Huda and Faik, the Iraqi attorney who works at the GIC, do most of the work concerning claims. “(People) come in with requests to be paid for damages … and I help (file) new claims,” Huda said.
Faik determines whether or not a claim is legitimate. He and Huda prepare the paperwork and collect the evidence required to prove that the claim is valid. The 3rd BCT legal office personnel determine whether or not the United States is actually responsible for said damage and whether or not the claimant will be paid.
“Sometimes it is not for the United States to pay, it is the fault of an explosion … by terrorists,” Huda explained, adding that for the 2 ½ years she has worked at the GIC there are some months when less than half the claims are found to be legitimate.
When claims are deemed valid by Faik, the packets are forwarded to the 3rd BCT legal office for a final review and payment.
“By the time it gets to me, it’s already been determined that the claims is legal,” said Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Williams of Tampa, Fla., senior 3-101 paralegal and foreign claims pay agent. He, along with another Soldier, actually makes the payments to the claimants.
“My job is both good and bad,” Williams said. “Obviously, I pay money when the damages were caused by the United States. But at the same time, when a claim is denied, I have to explain that the United States is not going to pay.”
The CMOC is a blessing for the Iraqis, Huda said. She said now the Iraqis feel that they have a means to get assistance. “It’s very great for them and they are grateful for it.”
She added, “I like to help; it is good for me because I help the people and the U.S. Army.”
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