Personal Security Detail

08.28.2006

Story by Sgt. Maurice Smith 

3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

by Sgt. Maurice Smith
3rd BCT, 25th ID PAO

Camp Beuhring, Kuwait – They train to keep our leaders safe. Providing reconnaissance information, reacting to IED attacks, and executing live-fire close quarter combat exercises are all reasons that teams from 3rd Brigade are more confident in their abilities to protect key personnel in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They are known as the Personal Security Detail (PSD). Just like bodyguards, they are selected and trained to protect designated personnel on their missions. Different PSD teams from the brigade have been training each week, honing their skills to prepare for possible challenges during future missions.

"This training showed us exactly what to expect and how to execute in scenario driven exercises," said Sgt. 1st Class Ronnie E. Blount Jr., Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry.

During the training, PSD teams learned valuable information such as getting to know as much as possible about "the principle" before he arrives, to better protect him.

Unlike the guy every high school student dreads getting called into the office to see, the principle is known as the person or personnel that PSD teams are designated to escort on missions.

For the training, PSD teams executed a series of battle drills after simulating being attacked while out on a convoy. With their vehicles down, the teams secured the perimeter while keeping the principle safe, and they also cleared buildings by searching each room and taking out targets designed to simulate insurgents.

After each room was clear, the teams safeguarded the perimeter until another means of transportation was provided to extract them from the area.

Aside from guarding personnel, the soldiers got a better understanding of maneuvering with their equipment, how each other performs, and how to operate with leaders of different age groups, sizes, and physical capabilities.

"Hands on training is the best. The physical aspect of the exercise was most challenging," said Spc. Adam Ishmael Sandoval, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3-4th Cav.

The teams also gathered a better understanding of how to execute with their equipment. With body armor, weapons and hydration equipment, the weight of a Soldier's equipment could easily weigh over 50 pounds.

"You can have your tactics and maneuvering down, but you still have to actually execute with your IBA, Kevlar, combat load and then you got to carry your battle buddy. The movement aspect was challenging -how you pick up your subject, surround him and move with him and protect him," he said.

All of the Soldiers left with a very good sense of their responsibilities, and confidence inherent in their role. They were very confident in each other and in their abilities to carry their mission in Iraq.

""We had a good idea of what PSD was and now we have a better understanding of how to perform our duties," said Sgt. 1st Class Jesus L. Shark, HHT, 3-4th Cav.

"We learned a lot about how to work as a team on the PSD and that is the key," he said.

"We had an understanding [of the detail], but this training showed us exactly what to expect and how to execute in scenario driven exercises," said Blount.

"With this training here in Kuwait we are very confident that we can execute our missions very well. Its live scenarios and we all executed well"

• Date Taken: 08.28.2006
• Date Posted: 08.28.2006 13:29
• Story ID: 7567