Courtesy Photo | Whiskey Company, 244th Quartermaster Battalion, Soldiers take a break in their M50...... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va. (Oct. 1, 2018) -- “Gas, Gas, Gas!”
Those are the fatal last words heard by thousands of Soldiers during World War I with the introduction of gas warfare in Belgium, circa 1915.
The actual idea of weaponizing chemical and biological agents has been around as long as warfare itself, and there’s little doubt future troops will encounter technologically advanced versions of toxic, viral and nuclear weapons. Given that persistent threat, Soldiers must be ready to react to save their own lives and that of their battle buddies.
That is the impetus surrounding the recent implementation of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training for advanced individual training Soldiers assigned to the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade. A CBRN training slice is now integrated into the brigade’s culmination exercise, and it has identified additional realistic training requirements to produce "Day One-Ready" Soldiers.
CBRN specialists are not authorized for any of the brigade's elements, therefore, drill sergeants or instructors are required to undergo the CBRN Defense Course training to handle protective equipment and provide instruction to students. The two week, 80-hour course provides instruction regarding the implementation, operation of equipment and defensive detection of threats.
“Teaching CBRN to Soldiers is essential,” said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Weeks, a Whiskey Company, 244th QM Bn., drill sergeant. “Soldiers are taught an introduction to CBRN tasks in basic combat training. We (drill sergeants and instructors) should re-enforce these tasks here in advanced individual training. Skilled leaders are essential to facilitate safe and effective realistic training."
To round out the instruction, quartermaster Soldiers “must have access to more CBRN assets than M50 masks,” said 1st Lt. Kelsey A. Wilcox, W Co. executive officer. Unit acquisition of other protective equipment will facilitate further instruction in operating in a toxic or contaminated environment.
Pfc. Kyranna Radanovic, a W Co. student, said her platoon was issued CBRN protection clothing in BCT, but she only touched the gear once. She said more hands-on training with the equipment is preferred. Other Soldiers have echoed her response and want to learn more about CBRN. Additional equipment will allow Soldiers learn about detection agents, protect themselves from threats, and decontaminate their gear and equipment. Re-enforcing CBRN training in AIT will prepare Soldiers to be “Day-One Ready.”
The incorporation of more related tasks in the brigade's culmination exercise will greatly enhance skill acquisition, said Wilcox. For example, CBRN defense measures can be established during area defense operations using specialized detectors.
Additionally, enemy CBRN attacks can be replicated by the using simulators, like CS gas and colored smoke to signal a chemical attack, according to Wilcox. Incorporating such battlefield conditions into training scenarios will provide a more robust opportunity for Soldiers to use their equipment, increase their understanding of the CBRN training and strengthen their ability to perform under stress.
Overall, implementing more CBRN training into the AIT program will greatly improve readiness for operational units, and Soldiers will gain confidence in their equipment and response skills. Having the drill sergeants and instructors teach hands-on training with the CBRN
equipment and testing the Soldiers knowledge will increase the Soldier's overall readiness, allowing the brigade to provide the Army with "Day-One Ready Soldiers.
| Date Taken: | 10.01.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2018 09:51 |
| Story ID: | 295008 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 241 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Dragon Brigade implements CBRN training for initial entry Soldiers, by Terrance Bell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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