Just so everyone is clear....these militia where not getting instruction on how to "disable the device". This unfortunately is a common occurance with ISF (Iraqi Security Forces) because a lack of training and quite honestly a lack of sophistication among Iraqi nationals. The cliche "common sense isn't very common" is an understatement in Iraq. I have seen many instances where locals do things like this that are absolutely beyond what we think a reasonable person would do. I say they were not getting instruction for a couple of reasons: 1- When we (US Military) train ISF and "provide instruction" it is done in a controlled environment, on the FOB (forward operating base). 2 - EOD (exploseive ordnance disposal) takes all ordnance and IED's very seriously, IF they allowed a local national near a device for education purposes, it would be 4 US troops and maybe 1 local national, not the other way around. Lastly EOD rarely "disables" devices, beacuse there is too much risk involved, standard procedure is to cordon the area (meaning get everyone away) and destroy it using a small explosive charge to detonate it.
