DOD civilians get a taste of Soldier life from 2-9 Inf.

By Sgt Scott KimApril 6, 2009

ELDP students fire small arms
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ELDP students get fitted for body armor
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ELDP students learn about the M1 Abrams Tank
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ELDP students depart Korea's Rodriguez Live Fire Complex
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Tourniquet training for DOD civilians
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ELDP students arrive for Soldier training
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It is sometimes a challenge for civilians who have not served in the military to understand the work of the men and women serving in the Armed Forces.

That's why Department of Defense civilians from the Executive Leadership Development Program trained with Soldier's from the 2nd Battalion 9th Infantry in order to help increase knowledge on what it's like to be a Soldier and how they can help the future of the military Mar. 25 at Korea's Rodriguez Live Fire complex.

The ELDP is a 10 month DOD training program where 54-60 potential future leaders, within DOD and other agencies, are taken into the field to train with men and women in uniform so to help enable them to make better expereince-based decisions.

"It's critical for DOD civilians, like myself, who have no military experience to get this kind of exposure to Soldiers in order to understand the challenges they go through and to make sure that we prioritize correctly the support that the need in the field," said Sean Roberts, DOD desk officer and member of the current class of the ELDP program.

During the training event, civilians were able to experience firsthand what it takes to get a Soldier combat ready by learning how to provide first aid care at the Medical Simulation Training Center, train on simulated weapons at the Engagement Field Trainer and live-firing a variety of weapon systems.

"Our intent was to get them away from 'death by power point' by giving them hands on training," said Maj. Sung Kato, operations officer for 2-9 Inf. "I think this had a positive impact as they enjoyed getting their hands dirty, especially the live weapons fire portion."

Although the training was mostly to familiarize the ELDP class with some of the warrior tasks, Soldiers from 2-9 Inf. took their roles as instructors very seriously and were impressed at how well the class performed under pressure.

"At one point we had one civilian putting on tourniquets to a wounded dummy while there were strobe lights, gunfire noises and us screaming in his ear, said Pfc. Jimmaron Poole, a medic for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2-9 Inf. " I was impressed with him as he kept his cool and got the job done."

Still, in order for the program to be truly well rounded, the students train with the various military branches so that their experiences they can draw upon is quite large.

"We went to the Air Force Academy students got to see how Air Force leaders are trained and developed, at a Navy submarine learning center they learned how to stop leaks in the hull of a submarine and they had three days with the Marine Corps. Learning what it's like to be a new recruit," said Kimberly Kessler, director for the DOD's Executive Leadership Development Program. "All this is so that they have a broad understanding of the military services as a whole.Aca,!A..

While some may argue that the lessons could be learned just as well through less harsh tactics the ELDP motto is for their students to immerse themselves into the military life to have a better frame of reference.

"There's a lot of things that military does that is supported by the civilians everyday and if they don't understand what we're doing as warfighters they'll never be able to fully appreciate the sacrifices that go on in the military as well as how to best support those that are away from home," said Air Force Maj. Denise Hamilton, intel officer for United States Forces Korea Headquarters and class member for the current ELDP.

Chances like this training exercise are also a good way for the Soldiers and their leaders to demonstrate the capabilities and today's Army has to offer.

"We're able to show them the level of sophistication in our training and that we're not just going out there pretending," said Kato.

Along with combat training, Soldiers and civilians have a chance to get to know one another better and to bond on a different level.

"What I'll take away from this is the professionalism of our Soldiers and the sacrifice that they make on behalf of the country," said Roberts. "It's very difficult for a lot of citizens in the U.S. to understand what they go through."

Soldiers also walked away with spirits high as spending time with the people they are trained to protect helps put a human face on what they are out fighting for.

"The Soldiers came away feeling genuinely appreciated by the civilians," Kato said. "They did a fantastic job in representing the unit and the U.S. Army."