ABP officers start with the basics

Photo By Cpl. Jeremy Fasci | Afghan Border Patrol officers check the blood pressure of another classmate during the first medical training course at the Joint Security Academy Southwest, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Sept. 25. The students are training to become the first group of "corpsmen" for the border patrol. Corpsman from different parts of Regional Command Southwest came together to teach the course.  

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

09.25.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Jeremy Fasci 

Regional Command Southwest

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Officers from the Afghan Border Patrol force learned how to open the airway and treat burn victims on the third day of a three week medical course at the Joint Security Academy Southwest, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Sept. 25.

This is the first course designed to produce corpsman for the ABP in Helmand province. Afghan National Security Forces are provided basic first aid skills while going through initial training, this course expands on that training.

“If they didn’t know anything before, which they do have some basic knowledge, we are making sure that they have all the knowledge necessary to properly save someone and get them out of a bad situation,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Garcia, with the Special Operations Training Group, I Marine Headquarters Group.

During the course the officers will be given as much information instructors can provide. The instructors are corpsman attached to various units within Regional Command Southwest.

“We are here to learn how to save the lives of our colleagues while on the battlefield,” said Sgt. Nasir Ahmad, an Afghan Border Patrol officer from Lashkar Gah.

The students in the course have prior first aid knowledge and experience. Most of them received basic first aid skills while going through basic training when they originally joined the ABP. Many of them had field experience dealing with injuries their fellow officers received while conducting security operations.

Having the prior first aid knowledge makes their progress to more advanced training very easy. Students are asking questions about things that are not part of the course showing their motivation to learn the skills necessary to provide medical care for their fellow officers.

The course is broken into sections to maximize the time and abilities of the corpsmen involved. Each class is given time for PowerPoint presentations, translated into Dari, and practical application periods that give the students time to have hands on experience with the skills they are being taught.

As the course progresses, the students will continue to learn knew things and become better acquainted with the techniques necessary to save lives.

“It’s an honor to be teaching them,” said Garcia. “I know it’s going to make a big difference for the border police. I’m sure they are going to save lives out there.”

• Date Taken: 09.25.2010
• Date Posted: 09.28.2010 16:31
• Story ID: 57140
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF