Fort Bliss Monitor

Soldier-medics train for combat deployment

Clarence Davis III

Staff Sgt. Keith A. Miller, left, relays convoy information to fellow Soldiers. Spc. Christopher M.
Johnson is the driver, Staff Sgt. Daryl B. Paquet is the gunner and Staff Sgt. Edward L.
Gillette is the rifleman.

Clarence Davis III
WBAMC Public Affairs

Most Soldier-medics at William Beaumont Army Medical Center are assigned to a combat support hospital or other medical support unit that deploys during contingencies or war. While stationed in garrison, these Soldiers are trained to protect themselves and their patients if needed when in “harm’s way.” Part of this training includes convoy live fire training.

Twenty-nine Soldiers from WBAMC and three Soldiers from the Fort Bliss Dental Activity were trained Jan. 26 on the Fort Bliss Raydon Virtual Combat Convoy Trainer. The convoy trainer includes four VCCT Full Fidelity Crew Stations networked to the instructor operator station/after action review station. Each crew station provides a position for the commander, driver, HMMWV gunner, and two observer/M-4 riflemen.

The training familiarizes WBAMC Soldiers with convoy movement regardless of rank or military occupational specialty. The VCCT gives Soldiers the opportunity to observe in real time what they may experience in Iraq. “They learn to react and respond to various scenarios – from calling for medical evacuation and learning about an IED – improvised explosive device,” said Staff Sgt. John P. Castillo, instructor, WBAMC. Soldiers are provided the opportunity to train as they fight, by replicating battlefield conditions on actual roads in the Baghdad Green Zone.

“The trainer also reinforces previous training and helps sustain training that they do well, and most importantly, learn from their mistakes in a training environment,” he added.

This training is effective because Soldiers who had never experienced convoy operations are fully immersed from the beginning of training on the proper movement techniques, responsibility for sectors of fire, radio communications, and rules of engagement. Soldiers who previously spent time on convoys were able to re-acquaint themselves with various operation conditions during convoy movement.

“This training gives them a general idea of how operations are conducted during a convoy. From there they can refine their knowledge and develop standard operations procedures for the unit,” said Sgt. Zachary L. Ninete, student, B Company, Troop Command, WBAMC. Ninete has deployed to Iraq twice. Before he deployed from Fort Drum, N.Y., his convoy training included live-fire with pop-up targets.

Using the VCCT as an instruction aide and observing scenarios which mimic those encountered in Iraq is an effective method for team training. In the beginning, the training was similar to a video game, as the training progressed it became more serious and realistic.

“It was as if we were there in Baghdad,” said Lt. Col. Guillermo Quiles, pharmacist, WBAMC. “The group became more of a team and looked for ways to avoid being killed and completing the mission,” he said.
This training can benefit those who may eventually be deployed. In today’s environment, being in a medical unit does not prevent you from being engaged by the enemy.

“If you are engaged, you will have to use your infantry training,” Quiles said. “The VCCT gives you an idea of what you may encounter. You can help your unit by warning, identifying and assisting when faced with similar encounters with the enemy,” he said.

It is not every day that a private and lieutenant colonel train together and sit side by side and recognize their combined actions will make the mission a success or failure. The training instills esprit de corps and camaraderie between Soldiers.

“Teamwork was evident throughout the training,” said Castillo



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	February 9, 2006

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Soldier-medics train for combat deployment Clarence Davis III Staff Sgt. Keith A. Miller, left, relays convoy information to fellow Soldiers. Spc. Christopher M. Johnson is the driver, Staff Sgt. Daryl B. Paquet is the gunner and Staff Sgt. Edward L. Gillette is the rifleman. Clarence Davis III WBAMC Public Affairs Most Soldier-medics at William Beaumont Army Medical Center are assigned to a combat support hospital or other medical support unit that deploys during contingencies or war. While stationed in garrison, these Soldiers are trained to protect themselves and their patients if needed when in “harm’s way.” Part of this training includes convoy live fire training. Twenty-nine Soldiers from WBAMC and three Soldiers from the Fort Bliss Dental Activity were trained Jan. 26 on the Fort Bliss Raydon Virtual Combat Convoy Trainer. The convoy trainer includes four VCCT Full Fidelity Crew Stations networked to the instructor operator station/after action review station. Each crew station provides a position for the commander, driver, HMMWV gunner, and two observer/M-4 riflemen. The training familiarizes WBAMC Soldiers with convoy movement regardless of rank or military occupational specialty. The VCCT gives Soldiers the opportunity to observe in real time what they may experience in Iraq. “They learn to react and respond to various scenarios – from calling for medical evacuation and learning about an IED – improvised explosive device,” said Staff Sgt. John P. Castillo, instructor, WBAMC. Soldiers are provided the opportunity to train as they fight, by replicating battlefield conditions on actual roads in the Baghdad Green Zone. “The trainer also reinforces previous training and helps sustain training that they do well, and most importantly, learn from their mistakes in a training environment,” he added. This training is effective because Soldiers who had never experienced convoy operations are fully immersed from the beginning of training on the proper movement techniques, responsibility for sectors of fire, radio communications, and rules of engagement. Soldiers who previously spent time on convoys were able to re-acquaint themselves with various operation conditions during convoy movement. “This training gives them a general idea of how operations are conducted during a convoy. From there they can refine their knowledge and develop standard operations procedures for the unit,” said Sgt. Zachary L. Ninete, student, B Company, Troop Command, WBAMC. Ninete has deployed to Iraq twice. Before he deployed from Fort Drum, N.Y., his convoy training included live-fire with pop-up targets. Using the VCCT as an instruction aide and observing scenarios which mimic those encountered in Iraq is an effective method for team training. In the beginning, the training was similar to a video game, as the training progressed it became more serious and realistic. “It was as if we were there in Baghdad,” said Lt. Col. Guillermo Quiles, pharmacist, WBAMC. “The group became more of a team and looked for ways to avoid being killed and completing the mission,” he said. This training can benefit those who may eventually be deployed. In today’s environment, being in a medical unit does not prevent you from being engaged by the enemy. “If you are engaged, you will have to use your infantry training,” Quiles said. “The VCCT gives you an idea of what you may encounter. You can help your unit by warning, identifying and assisting when faced with similar encounters with the enemy,” he said. It is not every day that a private and lieutenant colonel train together and sit side by side and recognize their combined actions will make the mission a success or failure. The training instills esprit de corps and camaraderie between Soldiers. “Teamwork was evident throughout the training,” said Castillo