Odierno On The Sons Of Iraq

God bless Daniel Akaka, he’s actually asking about the Sons of Iraq! Is there a plan to "continue transitioning" the SOI into the government security forces "so they don’t serve as a base for future sectarian conflict?"

Odierno (thanks for speaking!): Yes there is. But only some proportion of them, since many aren’t prepared or able or qualified to join the Iraqi security forces. "We’re trying to have public-works units, to not only employ them, but to continue to build infrastructure and provide services… and we will work that extremely hard."

Not entirely the deepest question or the most penetrating answer, but it’s good that it was raised, at least. Not very many senators are even in this hearing.