Photo By Eric Pilgrim | Simulated contraband items are discovered while guards inspect a vehicle at...... read more read more
FORT KNOX, Ky. — More than 15 gate guards from Fort Knox took a break from their usual work at the post’s gates Nov. 1-5 to participate in an extensive training exercise focused on several security issues they face.
Captain Michael Becker, in charge of the swing and mid shifts, led instruction throughout the weeklong exercise, saying his goal was to work through several scenarios they may or may not have encountered but could.
“We are doing the crawl-walk method here,” said Becker. “We start by talking through what should be done and then having the guys walk through it to see if they got it.”
While the guards worked through the different scenarios at Brandenburg Gate, military police officers from 34th Military Police Detachment covered down on the gates to ensure motorists experienced no delays, said Becker. This freed him up to train the guards, minus the lieutenants and supervisors.
“We’ll train lieutenants and supervisors separately at a later date,” said Becker.
Becker said they regularly conduct what he called hip-pocket training as opportunities arise. They also have guard mount training prior to the start of a shift. What they haven’t had in five years is an annual event where all the guards can participate in training together.
“It’s good to have this training set up,” said Becker. “It’s something that was much needed.”
An added benefit of the training came in the form of comradery. Becker said guards often work on a specific shift and don’t interact with those on the others.
“It’s been really good to have everybody from first shift, second shift and mid shift all correspond with each other and be able to go to lunch together,” said Becker.
The guards practiced Visitor Center roles and responsibilities, entry control point operations, how best to process illegal items that are discovered during a vehicle search, how to process barring people from future entry — even CPR certification.
Having been a guard for four years, Sgt. Rusty Thomas, a lead guard at Fort Knox, said the training is not new to Fort Knox, although it has been a while since they last conducted it.
Thomas retired from the Army after 22 years of service and worked for the Meade County Sheriff’s Department briefly before coming to Fort Knox as a guard.
“This is something that needs to be done yearly,” said Thomas. “Many of these scenarios are things we sometimes do at the gates, or supervise, or oversee. But this opens our eyes a little bit in reinforcing those things.”
Becker said the training went well in general and it’s important to ensure Fort Knox remains a safe place to live and work.
“We’re the first line of defense, we’re the first line for customer service, and we’re the face of Fort Knox; the first ones they see when they pull in,” said Becker. “We never know who’s going to pull up next, so our job is to keep those who are not allowed from getting on to protect those who are allowed.”
| Date Taken: | 11.08.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2021 11:31 |
| Story ID: | 408877 |
| Location: | FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 187 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fort Knox gate guards conduct weeklong training to hone security skills, by Eric Pilgrim, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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