Fort Dix courses prepare troops for conflict

Army Reserve, National Guard troops receive Combat Lifesaver Training.

By: Eve Collins
   FORT DIX — The recorded sounds of sirens and gunfire play as the trainees hurry to save three of their fellow soldiers. The three lie on the ground, pleading for help.
   "Don’t tell them how to do their jobs," said Sgt. Anthony Askew, one of the instructors, earlier in the day, as he dressed Sgt. Arthur Gardiner with a simulated chest wound. "They have to find this (injury)."
   The trainees, 48 troops from various units in the Army Reserve and National Guard, finished a three-day course March 27 for Combat Lifesaver Training, said Staff Sgt. Greg Wilson, of Allentown, Pa., another instructor. These troops will then graduate and another class will begin.
   The soldiers are instructed in the classroom, and then are tested in this outdoor event with the simulated casualties. They are taught how to administer IVs, dress wounds, treat soldiers for shock and transport the wounded, said Sgt. Wilson.
   The class is broken down into teams that find the wounded, provide necessary medical treatment, and transport the wounded through an obstacle course. And, since the event is taking place during a simulated battle, they have to stay alive. Each group runs the same scenario and obstacle course.
   Along with Sgt. Gardiner (of the 325th Military Intelligence Battalion), the injured included Spc. Brian Gilder sporting a broken arm with exposed fracture and a head wound, and Spc. Michael Medvec (of the 281st Personnel Service Attachment), who had leg and stomach wounds.
   "We do a lot of improvising," said Sgt. Askew. The simulated injuries were attached to old uniforms that were placed over the casualties’ uniforms and attached with Velcro.
   Spc. Gilder’s head wound was placed under a wig, and Spc. Medvec’s stomach injury was a bundle of pink, red and orange water balloons.
   Each team, made up of about eight men and women, has one team leader who directs the troops and controls treatments of each patient, said Sgt. Wilson. One team member carries a Combat Lifesaver Bag, which contains the IVs, splints, and bandages, he said.
   The team sweeps through the woods, spreading out to find the injured. Once the wounded are found, the team treats the wounds as best it can.
   While this is happening, the instructors continue to yell comments:
   "What have we got here?"
   "Let’s go!"
   "How are you going to treat it?"
   "Improvise!"
   The battle sounds blare from speakers hidden in the brush. The instructors call the noise their "music."
   The wounded soldiers also give a performance, moaning for help while they are being treated.
   The trainees then have to lead the casualties out of the area to safety. To do this, they must lead them over a wall — actually a fence about waist high. They also have to go through a low crawl, ropes woven between posts, under which they must lead the injured. Spc. Medvec, who was carried on a stretcher, was pushed under the ropes.
   "No one gets left behind!" shouted the instructors.
   Soda cans are suspended from the ropes, simulating bullets from enemy fire. The instructors constantly hit the cans with a stick, causing them to bounce and rattle. If a soldier touches a can, he or she is "dead."
   The low crawl is the end of the obstacle course. When everyone is through, the atmosphere changes. The recording is shut off and the sergeants lower their voices as they speak to the trainees, who are panting and gulping water from their canteens. It is time for the After Action Review (AAR).
   During the AAR, the instructors quiz the troops on what worked and what didn’t. They offer criticism as well as compliments. The team leader serves as the spokesperson during the review.
   Despite a good review from instructors, Spc. Anthony Clark, of the 200th Transportation Company Movement, team leader for one of the groups, said the troops "could use some improvement" after his team’s review.
   The instructors said the group broke up well and attended each casualty, but treatment and communication could have been better. The team members nod in agreement.
   Turnover is quick during the event. When one team is finished with its review, it leaves the area, the three casualties return to their positions in the woods, and the next team is brought in to run the course.
   "This is very important training," said Sgt. Wilson. "We are training them to save lives."