FORT BLISS, Texas -- The Continental U.S. Replacement Center is not totally new to Fort Bliss, but has returned after more than five years running as separate entities across the United States.
Now under the direction of Soldiers of the 402nd Field Artillery Brigade, the CONUS Replacement Center, or CRC, put its first iteration of augmentees through the weeklong train-up for individual deployers and redeployers.
"The biggest difference is the time the unit spends on the ground here at the mobilization center," said Col. Carolyn Birchfield, commander of the 402nd, comparing the experience of an augmentee with a company-sized (or larger) element's deployment training. "For an individual deployer, they spend a week here and the training they receive is based on what region of the world they're going to and what combatant commander they fall under.
"The (occupational specialties) we currently train (at the CRC) are military policemen, engineers and some signal individuals," continued Birchfield.
Some of the general training all mobilizing personnel receive is first aid, counter-improvised explosive device training, weapons qualifications, and briefings on how to recognize threats, and to make judgment calls on factors effecting good physical and mental health.
In one week, individual augmentees can expect days packed with learning tools and hands-on training to prepare for the assignment ahead.
Day Zero
Day Zero, augmentees arrive via aircraft to the local airport and draw linen for their short-term living quarters. Individuals are encouraged to use the computer lab to complete any online training they either need, or would like to accomplish during their time here. Dining hours are posted and personnel are free to use the dining facility during its open hours.
Day One
Day One is an early rising if one wants to eat, and then off to a nearby building for briefings -- all day. Newcomer briefings, like "Welcome to Fort Bliss," explain rules and regulations of the installation, while other presentations discuss what to expect during the weeklong cycle here as a deploying individual. Redeployers, or those returning from a theater of operations, have different briefings -- how to land a well-paying job with a newly-developed skill set; budgeting and finances; Veterans Affairs programs; and more information pertinent to life adjustments after several months in a hazardous environment.
"We focus on easing the transition for redeployers," said Lt. Col. Brian Evans, 3rd Battalion, 398th Regiment commander. "Whereas we want those deploying through here to be fully prepared and knowing what to expect this week; and we want them to leave here confident in their ability to succeed while they're downrange."
Day Two is Sunday. Troops are given a long class about countering improvised explosive devices, and then lunch. Next it's back to the same building for first aid training, where they learn how to use tourniquets, recognize and care for a person experiencing shock, weather injuries, and how to treat wounds before a medic is able to see the patient.
Day Three
"Medical treatment differs depending on where they deploy to, or redeploy from," said Sgt. Amanda Ortiz, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of medical screening at the Soldier Readiness Resilience Center here. "The immunizations they receive depend on where they're going after this."
For instance, there are six immunizations and a tuberculosis skin test available for participants in the CRC cycles. Rabies and yellow fever vaccines are only two of the shots received by someone headed to the horn of Africa; while smallpox and anthrax vaccines are among those injected in people headed to Afghanistan.
The rest of the SRRC process includes vision screening, dental screening, a hearing test, blood draws and medical records review. Ortiz said the entire process can range in time from one hour to a full work day, mostly dependent on the amount of people needing screening.
Day Four
A special Central Issue Facility is located in the rear of the Trading Post for CRC rotations. Here, trainees are issued military uniforms, interballistic acceptors and protective equipment to use in the case of a chemical attack. At the Rapid Fielding Initiative stop, augmentees are issued more military equipment and uniforms for use during deployment -- the specialized gear from this facility is also dependent on where an augmentee deploys.
The next stop in this round-robin is an arms room at Department of Logistics here, where augmentees are assigned weapons. While some are issued the M4 rifle with adjustable butt stock, some get the M16A2 rifle and others, a 9mm pistol, all with corresponding magazines.
"It's me giving back to the Soldiers," said James Tyler Brown, a Defense Logistics Agency civilian employee, after receiving his issued clothing and equipment. "I can't fight the war, but I can give rear support. … It's an awesome transition." Brown left Fort Bliss Friday for his first deployment.
Day Five
"You're going to have to use teamwork in order to step out of the vehicle," said Staff Sgt. Jason Coons, HEAT trainer and operator for Company A, 3rd Battalion, 398th Regiment, 402nd FA Bde. "When you fasten your seatbelt, make sure it is properly closed. And when that vehicle gets to turning, what am I going to hear?"
His group of five responded in unison, "Rollover, rollover, rollover."
This was the briefing before entering the vehicle for a simulated rollover exercise at the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer (HEAT) facility at East Fort Bliss. During the exercise, participants learn how to cope, and exit a vehicle that has flipped over.
Other training day five includes the Engagement Skills Training 2000 simulated weapons course, and a dismounted counter- improvised explosive device course.
"I like the training here because it's more hands-on," said Gilbert Rivera, a Defense Logistics Agency civilian while training for his third deployment. Rivera was trained at the Fort Benning, Ga., CRC for his last two deployments. That facility is now closed.
"The rollover training was good, because when we are getting transported from one place to the other, while we're downrange, we know what to do if something like that were to happen. It's good for us civilians to have that knowledge."
Day Six
"Place your selector switch from safe to semi and commence firing upon the sound of the whistle," is what was heard at the range during weapons familiarization and qualifications Thursday morning. Here, individuals tested their knowledge and ability on their recently assigned weapon, received days earlier.
As with any range, weapons cleaning and maintenance followed. Later in the day tuberculosis skin tests were read and validations of training and pre-flight briefings ended the work day.
Day Seven
Friday consisted of flights at the El Paso International Airport nearby the installation. Many flights transported Soldiers and DoD Civilians to their respective duty stations for the duration of a deployment. Other flights carried incoming personnel for the next cycle of the CRC mission.
The CONUS Replacement Center is expected to cycle through between 100 and 450 augmentees weekly.
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