FORT STEWART, Ga. - Combat medics from the 2nd "Spartan" Heavy Brigade Combat Team participated in a 5-day Brigade Combat Team Combat Medical Readiness Training, held at Fort Stewart, Dec. 5-9.
The specialized medic training was designed to provide real life trauma scenarios that Soldiers may face in combat.
"During the training, Soldiers learn how to conduct tactical combat casualty care, which includes controlling bleeding, treating chest wounds and clearing airway obstructions in a realistic training environment, similar to what they may face on the battlefield," said Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Graham, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2HBCT.
Sergeant First Class Graham is the medical noncommissioned officer in charge of the Combat Medical Readiness Training.
The goal is to have Soldiers trained to the point that treating patients is innate and instinctive, said Sgt. 1st Class Graham.
"If they encounter Soldiers with similar injuries while deployed they won't be so shocked and will be able to get on with the job of helping them," said Sgt. 1st Class Graham, a Gainesville, Fl. native.
During the final phase of the training, Soldiers must complete a rigorous series of lanes which encompass all of the training the medics received during the 5-day course, stated Sgt. 1st Class Graham.
"The goal of the final phase is to have the Soldiers in a high stress environment show they have grasped all of the techniques taught during the course. The Soldiers must run from station to station, assess, and render aid all while maintaining combat readiness," said Sgt. 1st Class Graham.
The training is mandatory for all combat medics, he added.
"Every three years combat medics must complete BCT3 training to be considered qualified. However, it is difficult to have all of the medics from an entire brigade complete training, because of rapid deployment schedules. Having the opportunity to train and certify all of the brigade medics is a great benefit to all of the Soldiers and their respective battalions as well," said Sgt. 1st Class Graham.
Colonel Roger L. Cloutier, Third Infantry Division, deputy commanding general-maneuver, agreed that the training was essential for medics to effectively save lives on the battlefield.
"This training is absolutely essential to saving lives. I had a Soldier who is alive today, because the medic with us had undergone this training," said Col. Cloutier. "This is the training I would want my son or daughter to have, because it absolutely saves the lives of our Soldiers on the battlefield."
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