Photo By Staff Sgt. Anthony Jones | A Soldier assigned to the 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop...... read more read more
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CAMP GRUBER, Okla. - Soldiers of the 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard got hands-on training with live grenades while training at Camp Gruber, near Muskogee, Oklahoma, June 13.
The troops, members of the Brigade’s 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and the Oklahoma Medical Detachment, spent a day being trained on the proper handling and deployment of the explosive weapon, followed by a day of throwing live M67 hand grenades.
Spc. Kristie Bouthillier, a medic from Midwest City, Oklahoma, and member of the Oklahoma Medical Detachment, described the training as important for all Soldiers, regardless of rank or job.
“This is not something I would normally do as a medic,” said Bouthillier, who earned a combat medical badge while treating Soldiers in Afghanistan. “But this is a basic warrior task and everyone should know how to throw a grenade.”
Capt. Aaron Smittle, an operations officer with the 345th CSSB, serving as the grenade range’s officer in charge, said the training at Camp Gruber re-emphasizes the skills Soldiers develop in basic training and bolsters confidence.
“Being here helps Soldiers conquer their fears before going to a wartime environment,” Smittle said. “This helps build Soldiers’ confidence in themselves and understanding of grenades.
Each of the Soldiers threw at least one live hand grenade. Soldiers received their explosives, then made their way to a holding area of reinforced concrete below a large earthen berm before moving to a concrete bunker to throw the grenade. At every step, from receiving the grenade to throwing it, range safety officers watched over the Soldiers, ensuring no one would be hurt while on the range.
Smittle, who deployed to Iraq in 2009, said the safety personnel were key to successfully operating the range.
“The Soldiers and non-commissioned officers are fundamental,” he said. “They performed outstandingly. It is always great to have good NCOs.”
As part of the safety precautions, Soldiers donned helmets and body armor as well as hearing and eye protection for the training. Before throwing the live grenades, each Soldier had to prove their competence in several throwing positions, like kneeling and lying, and their ability to hit targets in the open as well as taking cover in bunkers or behind obstacles with practice grenades.
While waiting to put on the needed body armor, Sgt. Joshua Underwood, of Harrah, Oklahoma, and another medic, said the training builds a muscle memory for the Soldiers who don’t hold combat jobs.
“This training takes the drill and makes it a routine,” the Afghanistan War veteran said. “This training is for the ‘what if’ scenario. Just because you think your safe as a medic doesn’t mean you are.”
| Date Taken: | 06.13.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2015 11:59 |
| Story ID: | 166563 |
| Location: | CAMP GRUBER, OKLAHOMA, US |
| Web Views: | 196 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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