FORT BENNING, Ga., (June 24, 2015) -- Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course 2nd lieutenants stormed the old Martin Army Community Hospital June 17.

Using the old hospital and advanced robotic technology, the students simulated an urban operation where they stormed the hospital to take it back from insurgents, said Capt. Grant Fischer, platoon trainer for C Company, 2nd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment.

"We are training urban operations - teaching our students how to fight and operate within an urban environment," Fischer said. "Today we are focusing primarily on the former MACH, using a complex operation where (the students) are tasked with seizing a foothold within the building and destroying enemy presence."

The entire mission was a unique opportunity for the IBOLC students. The old hospital provided a more realistic setting - with everything from modern lighting, multiple floors and a continuous structure - and gave them the chance to use simunitions, or rounds within a weapons systems that actually fire, so they could see the effects of those rounds in a real urban setting, said Fischer.

Fischer said the training simulation was also unique because they were using silhouette targets and autonomous robotic human type targets - moving targets that can be programmed to move and engage with the students, and also can be shot with simunition or live ammunition.

Autonomous robotic human type targets create a more realistic training environment, said Brad Brown, an engineer employed by Marathon Targets, the manufacturers of the robots, who works on the operation maintenance of the ARHTTs.

"Traditionally people (in training) will shoot pop up targets, or a bit of paper on a stick, and they quickly game the situations and know exactly where the targets are going to come up. It's not very realistic."

The ARHTTs create a more realistic training environment because the targets operate in different settings - the system creates a map of the area and can create scenarios for the robot to operate in.

"They can have reactions; you can shoot one and he will run at you, other robots will come in and assist the downed target - you can even program them to talk or scream," Brown said.

The old hospital was chosen for temporary use as a training ground so that the students could get a better idea of what real urban fighting will look like, and to help define the lethality and precision of their shots using the simrounds, said Fischer. It also provided an opportunity to test the students' decision making as they differentiated between enemy targets and friendly civilians, and choosing how to move forward in unknown territory.

2nd Lt. Christopher Richards, the platoon leader for the operation, said the training was unique and gave the students a more realistic opportunity to engage the enemy.

"Much of our training is in old, outdated buildings. This one gives us a better perspective as to what to expect when we go up to the big Army, where we will actually have to clear a real structure like this," Richards said. "It was also our first time using the robots and they're really cool because they gave us an opportunity to engage with moving ammunition and targets."

2nd Lt. Richard Hutchinson said that training in the old hospital offered a level of experience that the students otherwise might not get until actually deployed on a mission.

"Being prior service, a lot of what we are learning I had previously learned, but from a different perspective," Hutchinson said. "Going from being a Joe to being a leader of men helps you have more appreciation for and a better understanding of how to treat your men because you've been there. You're not just thinking about being an officer, how you're in charge and always right, because that's not always the case."

1st Lt. Ali Alomari, an international student from Jordan, said the training was unlike anything he had experienced before.

"It's a really good training experience for me. We have a training program with the U.S. Army so those of us who speak English get sent over here for different courses, which helps us get more experience and more training and we can take these experiences back to our country and teach our soldiers," Alomari said. "With simrounds you can get hit but they won't kill you, so it gives you the experience of being shot without being hurt. It's a good way to improve your skills in clearing rooms and taking cover and mastering drills."