FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- The 10th Sustainment Brigade conducted an active shooter exercise Nov. 13 at the 10th Special Troops Battalion headquarters to increase unit security readiness and provide the Fort Drum Directorate of Emergency Services certification training.
DES maintained oversight of the training while several Soldiers assigned to 10th STB and 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion participated as role players, which allowed Fort Drum Guardian Academy students -- Soldiers assigned to 91st Military Police Battalion -- an opportunity to be evaluated on their response.
The academy is the initial law enforcement certification course on post. Military police receive training on active shooter response, and they are required to recertify annually.
"The Sustainment Brigade reached out to us to train the Soldiers to protect themselves and do the right thing if an active shooter scenario takes place," said Capt. Richard B. Hughes, DES deputy chief of police. "It worked out mutually that we could do an exercise to benefit both of our training objectives."
Participants were required to complete an online active shooter training module as well as classroom training before the day of certification. Leaders received the training to increase awareness of active shooter threats and assess response procedures in support of the Fort Drum Anti-terrorism / Force Protection Plan.
The scenario began when Sgt. Ross Cameron, instructor assigned to the Provost Marshal Office, entered the headquarters building and asked the Soldiers on staff duty if they knew where the battalion commander was located. Cameron wanted to use the open door policy to talk about punishment he was receiving, which he thought was unjust.
The Soldiers on duty stated, at one time, that the commander was on leave, which only infuriated Cameron. After a few more questions were not answered to his liking, he pulled out a gun he had tucked away at his waist and shot the Soldiers on duty.
The scene was almost too real for comfort. The Soldiers were motionless while the shooter began pacing down the hallways looking for an open room. He banged on the door that leads to the command group, demanding that it be opened.
After not receiving a response, the shooter made his way toward the back of the building, where he found a Soldier hiding near some vending machines. He demanded to know where the commander was once again, but he still didn't feel like the answers given were satisfactory.
Once again, he demanded to know where the commander was located, but he still didn't feel the answers given were satisfactory.
With another failed attempt at getting information came more shots and another casualty.
Simulation rounds were now visibly spread across the floor with several paint marks on the Soldier's uniform simulating blood from the gunshots.
The shooter made his way into the classroom where he found more Soldiers as he continued his search.
By now, several Soldiers who were locked in their offices had called for help. The information was relayed to military police, who were at the scene within minutes. Once they arrived, some asked questions to people outside the building to gather more information that may be of use. Some Soldiers were outside before the incident began, while others hid behind a car for safety after having jumped out of a window.
The MPs assessed the situation and entered the building with the intent to take down the shooter. Once he was identified, a firefight ensued and Cameron was taken down.
Although the MPs get trained often, it is not common for them to play out an active shooter scenario in an actual headquarters with Soldiers playing active roles inside.
"It was more of an eye-opener, because it gave me a better feel of what I would be doing when responding to a situation like this," said Pfc. Jon Briscoe, military policeman assigned to 23rd Military Police Company.
After the threat was diffused, everybody gathered in the classroom for an after action review. The simulation rounds were a success in keeping the scenario as realistic as possible.
"It's one thing to put them through drills, but when you put them in a scenario where simulation rounds are coming back at them, it allows them to fight as they have been trained in a high-stress environment," Hughes said.
The 10th Sustainment Brigade Soldiers who participated in this training may remember it for a long time. The skills they learned can be passed on to others to assist with physical security.
"The training intent was met," said Staff Sgt. Joseph H. Allen, 10th Sustainment Brigade intelligence and security noncommissioned officer in charge. "Soldiers were exposed to the reality of an active shooter incident through a comprehensive scenario, and the unit's procedures and actions after the fact were tested. Soldiers were actively engaged and displayed a high level of motivation."
Hughes also said that there is a training video used in DES training sessions people can watch titled "Run, Hide, Fight" that can be used to become familiar with what to do in the event of an active shooter scenario. The video is available on YouTube.
Hughes thanked the 10th Sustainment Brigade for the training opportunity, and he encourages other units on Fort Drum to reach out to DES and request training.
"It's a huge help when you get a unit to participate like this," he said. "When you have role players, the benefit to the Soldiers being trained is immense."
Although the brigade conducts various anti-terrorism and force protection measures, a training opportunity of this magnitude and complexity is a rare occurrence.
"The Fort Drum Guardian Academy conducted their responses quickly and efficiently," Allen said. "I would like to thank them for their professionalism and diligence in training the Muleskinner team."
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