Training to counter a threat

14 June 2007
Today I had the opportunity to accompany 3rd Platoon of Alpha Company as they went through a five mile exercise designed to introduce them to some of the things they may, and will, encounter on their deployment. The training was started off well, but as they progressed the platoon triggered a mock Improvised Explosive Device commonly called an IED. IED’s are the single greatest cause of American casualties in Iraq and have been so for quite some time. To counter this threat the military puts soldiers deploying to Iraq, and whose mission may dictate the need, through a 3 day course of classroom, rehearsal, and live mission training.
As was stated, 3rd platoon started off well, but after losing two vehicles and taking 4 “casualties”, the company commander, who was observing, brought the platoon back to the start point. After receiving a short critique, and allowing the soldiers to re-think some of their strategies, 3rd was put back in the rotation which meant a long, hot, five hour wait in the 120 degree Kuwaiti sun. This may seem harsh, but as the company 1st Sergeant, (1SG), pointed out, on missions these troops may be called upon to secure an area with IED’s requiring them to stay in the sun for even longer periods.
When again the unit mounted up, the men were hot, and a bit drained, but donned their 40 plus pounds of body armor and at least another 20 lbs. in ammo and miscellaneous equipment. Even with this load and the blast-furnace like heat, this time, they completed the entire course with no losses.

Arabic role players populated the course to give it a realistic feel, and to act out situations that the soldiers may run into "up north". The methods of training will not be discussed for op-sec reasons, but know that the men and women here are being given the tools needed to counter the enemy. In a war-zone, “safe” is a relative term, but with training such as this, hopefully these Paratroopers will be that much safer as they accomplish their mission.