From: jeff 

... with the other guys cash (Go read it all):

http://2slick.blogspot.com/2004/11/whats-next-for-fallujah.html


"Here's how it worked. About one week after we (the 101st) arrived in
Mosul (approx. May 8th), every major subordinate command in the 101st
(including mine, of course) received an order to report to Finance
Headquarters, draw $10,000 US cash (seized assets recovered from the old
regime) and go out and spend it. There were rules and guidelines- no single
purchase over the amount of $2,000. Any expenditure must benefit the Iraqi
people only, and may not result in any kind benefit to Coalition Forces
whatsoever. No spending on entertainment for the Iraqis. Other than that,
it was pretty much go out there and spend. I was selected to be my
brigade's project manager because of my experience handling budgets and my
history of successfuly dealing with Iraqis.

I first went to a Civil Affairs guy who lived in the tent next to mine, and
asked him if he had any good tips. He told me that the University had been
severely looted, and that they could use some help with ADP products
(monitors, disk drives, etc.). We went to the University, worked out the
arrangements, made some connections, and delivered the products the next
day. The purchase was simple- we went to a computer store across the street
from the university, worked out a deal, and had them deliver the goods at
the agreed time and place, at which time we paid them. We repeated this
often. After our first purchase for the university we still had $8,000, so
we stopped at a primary school and asked them how we could be of
assistance. They were very happy to see us, and we communicated through our
interpreter. We worked out a deal to get them school supplies, new school
desks, chalkboards, etc.

When our $10,000 ran out, we drew more and repeated the process. Every
other major subordinate command in the 101st did the same thing we did.
This continued for about 3 weeks.

Once it became obvious that this operation was working, Division
Headquarters decided to step things up. We were soon authorized to draw
$250,000 at a time (usually about one draw every two weeks- and the
maximum withdrawal amount continued to grow), and spend up to $10,000 on a
single purchase (more if we obtained the CG's approval).




When it was all over, I had spent over $2.7 million, mostly on the
University. I'm told that other Division's throughout Iraq followed our
model, since we had so much success with it. As far as I know, CERP is
still ongoing."

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