Combat Life Saver: the Army needs to honor this training with better equipment and insignia
199th Infantry Brigade Medic in Vietnam, note M5 Aid bag on his back and no red cross arm band
"Take the job seriously, not yourself" --British Army saying
A Vietnam combat veteran writes:
"I know for a fact that to the North Koreans a red cross just made a good aiming point. I couldn't swear to that about the Chinese.I knew a medic Spec 7 (don't believe the rank exists anymore) who had a CMB with a star, indicating both WW2 and Korean service. He also had a couple of other personal decorations. Suffice it to say, he had seen it. He wasn't one to talk about his combat experience but one day I pressed him for details about the differences between WW2 and Korea. In 3 years in WW2 against the Germans, he had to duck mortars and artillery but never had to worry about rifle or machine gun fire. He had heard that some SS units fired on the red cross but it had never happened to him. He also knew of Americans who fired on the red cross but they were not regarded well by their comrades.
When he went to Korea, early in the war, for the first time he experienced machine gun and rifle bullets pinging and richocheting around him. It shocked him that he was being targeted. They issued the medics carbines to protect them from snakes. Paul never worked against Chinese so he did not know their attitude towards the red cross. But as a general statement North Koreans were far more brutal than the Chinese, for example, in the handling of POWs; therefore it is possible the Chinese observed the red cross.
U.S. Army Center for Lessons Learned: Operation Just Cause Medical concludes:
"Paramilitary forces, such as DIGBATs and PDF deserters, did not recognize the red crosses on ambulances. Evacuation vehicles/aircraft should be escorted whenever possible. "
THE FORT BRAGG POST
Getting first aid to wounded Soldiers has always been dangerous, since it is danger that got the Soldier hurt in the first place. The 91B Aidman attached to every infantry platoon is a very over-worked person who may be targeted by an unethical enemy wearing the proper red cross arm band. The U.S. Army's Combat LifeSaver (CLS) Program is an excellent initiative to get a Soldier in every squad-sized unit skilled and equipped to perform emergency life saving medical tasks; like starting I.V.'s.
CLSers are to bridge the gap from self-aid or buddy aid (SABA) training every Soldier receives and the platoon Aidman (91B Combat medic). The fluid, non-linear battlefield requires that injured Soldiers get treated immediately and their condition stabilized, not wait for another level of care to treat them which is often too late.
U.S. Army Center for Lessons Learned: Operation Just Cause Medical says the following about CLSers in Panama combat:
"Commanders are convinced that the Combat LifeSavers saved lives and directly contributed to accomplishing the mission."
•"Combat LifeSavers carrying intravenous (IV) fluid and starter sets are critical in preventing heat injuries from becoming debilitating. They know the importance of securing the objective first and then treating the casualty as well as the limits of their medical capability."
"Troopers from the 82d Airborne Division consumed both canteens of water on their long flight to Panama and were unable to replenish them before they jumped. Once they jumped, it took the dispersed units up to two hours to get to their rally points, and due to the tropic heat, the troops arrived completely wet with sweat. Several Soldiers became dehydrated and suffered heat injuries. The Combat LifeSavers were able to treat them immediately and probably saved many lives."
Mechanized Infantry attack in the Gulf war: Soldier saved by medical care:
http://emergency.com/cmbtmedc.htm
HOW TO GET CLS QUALIFIED.....
Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) runs CLS class at its spring Lake facility a short distance away from Fort Bragg, NC. Call Retired combat medic Command Sergeant Major Jim Messenger, head ELS/CLS instructor at (910) 308-0406 and make arrangements for you to attend ELS/CLS certification training through FTCC. The two-week course has students receiving much more hands-on training on treating injuries than just those that are taught from classrioom instruction! ELS/CLS also teaches much more than the IPD requirements for CLS certification.
Enrollment is simple. All anyone interested in attending has to do is contact CSM Jim Messenger!
Fee for the course is just $50 [in groups of 11 students or more, he is allowed to reduce the fee to $35 per student]
Individuals may pay for themselves, or military units may pay for their Soldiers to attend; this is usually accomplished using the IMPAC credit card.
Classes are during duty hours 0730-1630 Monday thru Friday. Classes scheduled for the remainder of this CY are as follow:
3-13 September
16-27 September
30 Sep-11 October
14-25 October
28 Oct-8 November
11-22 November
2-13 December
If you are not in the local Ft. Bragg area, you can enroll your Soldiers in a group study, receiving CLS study materials from the U.S. Army Institute for Professional Development (AIPD).
USA AIPD
ATTN: ATIC IPS
U.S. Army Training Support Center
Newport News, Va 23628-0001
http://155.217.35.238/accp/accp_top.htm
2.61.A General information.
a. General information.
(1) The Combat Lifesaver Correspondence Course is available through group enrollment. To establish this group enrollment, AIPD must receive the following:
(a) A cover letter signed by the battalion commander or a lieutenant colonel or higher. The cover letter should identify the primary instructor (group leader). All instructors of the Combat Lifesaver Course must meet the following criteria: either hold primary MOS 91B, 91C, 18D, or be a licensed paramedic (state or national), registered nurse, physician assistant or physician. These requirements reflect the level of expertise necessary to resolve medical emergencies associated with the tasks taught.
(b) One DA Form 145 enrolling the primary instructor in IS0826, along with a list of assistant instructors, if any. Include the instructor's and assistant instructors' RYE date, if applicable. The DA Form 145 should be signed by a responsible official who has the authority to requisition or acquire the necessary medical supplies to support this training.
(c) A roster of students enrolling in IS 0824 and IS 0825. The roster must include each student's full name, rank, SSN, component code, and RYE date, if applicable. Ideally, no more than 15 to 20 students should be assigned to each group.
(2) Once the group enrollment processes, if a student is unable to attend class, but can be rescheduled within 1 year, his or her enrollment should not be canceled. The instructor should keep all the material for the student until he or she can attend the class. For students who cannot be rescheduled, a request must be submitted to cancel their enrollment. The group leader may cancel an enrollment by writing 'CANCEL' across the student's scan sheet and returning it to AIPD or send a memo identifying which student enrollments should be cancelled. Group leaders must also ensure that Soldiers completing this training promptly receive their completion notices (ATSC Form 157). For further information on group study, see paragraph 1-7b.
(3) When contacting AIPD, you must provide the group enrollment number that is found on your enrollment notice, ATSC Form 157.
2.61.B Objective.
b. Objective. To provide the training required for a Soldier to be awarded the combat lifesaver designation.
2.61.C Eligibility.
c. Eligibility. Students will be selected by their unit to attend the group study program.
2.61.D Curriculum.
d. Curriculum. 2 subcourses (shipped in one box), 40 credit hours.
(1) Includes self-study materials and approximately 3 days of classroom instruction and testing. Testing includes both proctored multiple-choice and performance examinations. Only one examination response sheet (IS0827) is returned to AIPD for grading upon completion of IS0824 and IS0825. This is a GO or NO/GO course.
(2) Subcourses. IS0824, IS0825. (IS0826 is only available to the instructor and assistant instructors.)
2.61.E Recertification.
e. Recertification. Do not reenroll Soldiers requiring recertification. This can be accomplished by unit instructors. The instructor guide includes a test appropriate to recertification.
2.61.F Additional information.
f. Additional information. For additional information, write to Student Services Division at the Army Institute for Professional Development, U.S. Army Training Support Center, Newport News, VA 23628-0001, or call DSN 927-3322/2127 or commercial 757-878-3322/2127.
CLS is managed by the U.S. Army Medical Command based at Fort Sam Houston, TX.
USA Medical Department Center and School
ATTN: MCCS-HTI (SFC Ira Williams)
Commandant AHS
1750 Greeley Road Bdg 4011
Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234-6122
DSN 429-8516/471-0275 or:
COM (210) 916-8516/221-0275
COMPUTER CLS TRAINING: THE CD
The AMEDDC&S, Army Research Institute, Pennsylvania National Guard and National Guard Bureau (NGB) has developed an interactive CD-ROM (CD 8-01, Combat Lifesaver: Medical Tasks) to be used as sustainment training for those tasks described in the AIPD course IS O825 (Combat Lifesaver Course: Medical Tasks). This CD-ROM has been distributed by the Army Training Support Center and is available through your local Training Support Center (TSC) or Visual Information Support Center (VISC) or by sending an e-mail message to Don Atkerson don.atkerson@cs.amedd.army.mil, or Ms. Shirley Castonquay: castonqs@atsc.army.mil
Other www sites with info on the superb CLS CD:
www.cs.amedd.army.mil
http://ae2178.med.osd.mil
http://atscweb.atsc-army.org/accp/ix.htm
Subj: COMBAT LIFESAVER CD 8-01
Date: 9/21/2005 12:58:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: acthomas@hq.afis.osd.mil (Thomas, Alverda, Tobyhanna)
To:
Our records indicate that we shipped Combat Lifesaver, CD 8-01 to you. The program is obsolete please destroy all copies. Attached is the information on IS0871 (Combat Lifesaver Course: Student Self-Study) which is available on the General Reimer Digital Library.
Please feel free to check out our online catalog which contains over 9,000
DoD training videos, dvd's & cd-roms. http://dodimagery.afis.osd.mil/davis
Alverda Thomas
CPR TRAINING
One of the skills of the CLS is Cardio-Pulminary Resuscitation or CPR. An excellent web site with resources that can be obtained like inexpensive practice mannequins:
Realistic, Hands-On Casualty Simulator Fielded by the U.S. Army
RDECOM Magazine | in the field | TITLE
www.rdecom.army.mil/rdemagazine/200503/itf_simulator.html
By: Sandy Fowler
Combat Medics training on a simulated battlefield using the Combat Trauma
Patient Simulation system at AMEDD C&S, Fort Sam Houston, TX. (STTC courtesy
photo)
Army medics-in-training are preparing for upcoming deployments to Iraq and
Afghanistan by treating simulated combat casualties in conditions so realistic
that they incorporate the look, sounds and smells of war.
The patient simulators of the Combat Trauma Patient Simulation realistically
simulate a vast array of conditions to include trauma, weapons of mass
destruction, and diseases. The system forces the trainees to assess, stabilize, treat and evacuate their patients. Medics report back that these simulators provide realistic training because they breathe, blink their eyes, have pulses that can be felt and even simulate "death". Best of all, they won't stay dead for long, as the simulator can be re-started.
The Soldier Simulation Environments Division at the U.S. Army Research,
Development and Engineering Command, Simulation and Training Technology Center has been deploying the Combat Trauma Patient Simulation system to various military users throughout the world. CTPS electronically "moves" the patient and
tracks all treatment at each level of patient care, starting at the point of
injury. The CTPS system consists of networked patient simulators, along with a
triage capability that allows our military medics to train both individually and
as a team in the case of mass casualties.
The CTPS system is fielded at the Department of Combat Medic Training, US
Army Medical Department Center and Schools in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Another
system resides at the Advanced Medical Test Support Center at Fort Gordon, Ga.
The Field Medical Service School at Camp Pendleton marine base, Calif.,
recently received a mini version of the CTPS system. The Army National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., has had CTPS assets since 1998. The First Cavalry
Division has two patient simulators in Iraq to provide just-in-time training to
medics fighting the war on terror. Future user sites include Fort Benning, Ga.,
Fort Rucker, Ala., Fort Riley, Kan., Fort Bragg, N.C. and the 101st Airborne at
Fort Campbell, Ky.
CLS SUPPLIES
The Key medical supplies for the Combat LifeSaver are held in the M3 bag, contents list available on the link here. M3 Combat Life Saver bag list
Being a Combat LifeSaver is more than an U.S. Army completion certificate, 40 credit hours and 8 promotion points, it's an important responsibility with skills that are perishable that need to be re-certified every 12 months.
WHO IS WHO? "MEDIC!"..."COMBAT LIFE SAVER!"
With an UCMI, unit officials will know at a glance who the Combat LifeSavers are in their units and to structure training and insure they carry their M3 bags to the field and on ruck marches or unit PT formations, so we are ready to give fast and efficient medical care if it's needed. This identifier builds spirit and isn't a flimsy pin-on arm band that gets snagged or caught on vehicle edges or vegetation...or gets you shot. If the red arm band has to come off there is still some form of insignia to protect medical personnel in event they are targeted by a sniper or captured.
The 91B and 18D Medics also need some form of subdued arm sleeve identification. By placing the word "Medic" in the center of our patch depicted here, we now have an identifier for these Soldiers. This patch would not replace the full color red and white arm bands but provide at least some identification if these are unavailable.
The patches would also be a small metal skill badge for wear on the Class "A" uniform possibly looking like the candidate badges below:
The U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry will not act until DA approves the general idea. They won't budge until a major command asks for it. You, the reader, can help the cause by becoming a CLS, getting your M3 bag and writing to the U.S. Army Chief of Staff and asking that an U.S. Army think-tank be formed to gather like ideas from the troops and act on them without having to go through multiple layers of hostile bureaucracy.
BETTER MEDEVAC TOOLS AVAILABLE....
SKEDCO
During the medical evacuation portion of CLS, the curriculem should be upgraded to include the amazing SKEDCO lightweight rescue system and the new all-terrain cart system already in U.S. Army service. This way, the squad's CLS will be the Subject-Matter-Expert (SME) on these devices so they get used to the fullest.
Medical Evacuation And Training During Ranger School: the role of the SKED
U.S. Army Infantry Magazine, January-February 2002
1/187th Infantry, 101st AASLT Division 1LT Robert Thompson on page 5 of the June-April '99 Infantry magazine proposes SKEDCOs be used to slide tripod-mounted, M2 .50 cal and MK-19 40mm heavy machine guns from helicopters to provide superior firepower for Air Assault units.
http://192.153.150.25/catd/Infantry%20Magazine/Issues/1999%20JAN-APR%20Issue%201/Swap%20Shop.pdf
SKEDCOs in action hauling ammo in combat in Afghanistan:
A Soldier is down! How will you get him to safety?
NEW! Kosmo lifeline: pulling your buddy out of the line of fire!
2. Attach to front of LBE
3. Ready to detach, open top flap and throw pouch to buddy to rescue you!
Kosmo in action!
4. Soldiers on the move with Kosmo lifelines ready
5. Enemy fire! Soldier goes down!
6. Soldiers return cover fire and throw smoke grenades (not shown for clarity)to mask wounded man
7. Wounded Soldier (or rescuer) throws Kosmo lifeline to buddies
8. Rescuers grab bag end of Kosmo lifeline
9. Wounded Soldier pulled to safety
10. Another Soldier assists to speed drag of wounded man to safety!
Pringle CLS "ready care" assault vest: stabilize the patient
www.skedco.com/PDF_Files/Chest_Bag_Brochure.PDF
A Soldier is down...you run up to him and see he needs a primary survey and first aid...you unzip your Pringle back at your chest and see exactly what you need to stop the bleeding, treat for shock and protect the wound...
NSN 6545-01-527-9873 Desert Camo
Pringle CLS vest pack list pic
After stabilizing your patient, you open up your M3A CLS Assault Pack and unfold a half-skedco to place him inside and drag him to safety!
The Captain Ernesto Blanco COLLAPSIBLE-SKEDCO M3A "Alpha model" CLS Assault Pack
Our friend Ernie Blanco, was a S&T platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne Division helping other units remain supplied and properly equipped in Iraq. Shortly after a Christmas party in 2003, he was riding in a poorly armored Humvee truck when a roadside bomb went off, killing him. We name the SKEDCO M3A Assault Pack in his honor as its designed to help other soldiers which Ernie dedicated his life to doing.
The half-SKED or collapsible-SKED "M3A" CLS assault pack has outer pouches to hold all the M3 bag contents as well as items needed in an assault along with a lightweight half-sized SKEDCO sliding plastic sheet so each CLS in every rifle squad has a means to evac his casualty out of the line-of-fire (the Kosmo rescue line comes in here, too)....and after the firefight is over, slide him to the Platoon Casualty Collection Point (CCP)...
Details of the M3A CPT Ernesto Blanco Collapsible/Half-SKEDCO Combat LifeSaver Assault Pack
To honor the sacrifices of combat medics and lifesavers we named the early versions of the M3A after Congressional Medal of Honor Winner, CPL Desmond T. Doss who was the first to win this award without even carrying a weapon!
The M3 bag is long overdue for a more organized replacement bag, why not incorporate a means to carry the lightweight half-SKED to insure a means at squad level exists to back-haul casualties and shuttle forward vital supplies using just one Soldier?
The Brigadier General William O. Darby UT 2000 All-Terrain All-purpose Cart Sled (ATACS)
We can also MEDEVAC patients for longer distances as well as deliver heavy machine guns, rockets, missiles and mortars the same way with the UT 2000 ATACs as snow sleds or better yet--attach all-terrain wheels. For more efficient transport for longer distances the Darby ATACS enabled dismounted troops away from ground vehicles, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to have high levels of human powered mobility.
Darby UT 2000 ATACS web page
Like SKEDCO, the UT 2000 ATACs has a NSN for ordering through the supply system or can be purchased direct for $759 each.
After the weapons and supplies have been shuttled forward, casualties can be slid by half-SKEDS back to the platoon's UT 2000 ATACS cart which then shuttles the wounded Soldier back to the Company CCP for transfer into either a HMMMV ambulance, a UH-60Q Blackhawk helicopter by full-size stretcher or a full-size SKEDCO for a hovering tagline extraction if the helo cannot land.
How to use the full-size SKED medevac system
CLS and MEDICS TO PATHFINDER SCHOOL ASAP
U.S. Army Center for Lessons Learned: Operation Just Cause Medical says the following about CLSers in Panama combat:
•Limited MEDEVAC assets make prioritizing casualties for evacuation and complete, accurate MEDEVAC requests essential.
•Aerial medical evacuation litter carousels hamper quick loading and leaves little room for ambulatory patients and supplies. For combat operations, when exact casualty conditions are not known, an empty MEDEVAC aircraft offers the best arrangement for casualty loads and speed.
•Units must have workable SOPs for controlling the equipment of medically evacuated Soldiers.
•Assault helicopters must be prepared to evacuate wounded from a landing zone (LZ) when they make a second or third lift.
•Medical personnel need to be trained in the requirements for helicopter landing zones and in guiding helicopters.
•A primary consideration for an aid station site is the availability of space for an LZ, particularly in MOUT."
Since medically trained personnel will have to arrange for helicopter MEDEVAC, they should be sent to U.S. Army PATHFINDER School at Fort Benning, Georgia as soon as possible to become PATHFINDER qualified. They will learn proper LZ selection and MEDEVAC procedures to be the Subject-Matter-Experts (SME)s in their units. This will speed the medical care wounded Soldiers receive and save lives.
TRAINING ON THE M113A3 GAVIN MEDEVAC VEHICLE
The combat-proven M113A3 Gavin Armored Fighting Vehicle is a superb MEDEVAC transport that can dart in and recover wounded Soldier from enemy fire, without medical personnel becoming casualties, too. Every Medic and CLS should receive instruction on how to drive and use the various M113A3 AFVs being used for MEDEVAC and as a mobile treatment vehicleATV.The latter has detailed instructions that must be mastered.
The chain of command is about command--not idea formation communication--U.S. Army excellence and ideas for it must be considered, discussed and debated not pushed off into a corner and forgotten.
COMBAT LIFESAVER WINS THE SILVER STAR IN IRAQ!: First Army Reserve Soldier in Operation Iraqi Freedom to Earn Silver Star for Heroism in Fire Fight
THE FIRE FIGHT
BAGHDAD - On April 9, 2004, then PFC Jeremy Church was a driver for the 724th Transportation Company and was with convoy commander 1LT Matthew Brown on an emergency fuel mission to Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) when his fuel convoy came under attack by elements of Muqtada al Sadr's militia.
While driving along a four-mile stretch of a six-lane highway near BIAp, approximately 200 insurgents with rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), machine guns and assault rifles attacked in an area that was surrounded by two and three level houses with narrow side streets.
As soon as Church's vehicle entered the area of the ambush, it took small arms fire while explosives blasted the convoy from both sides of the road. Church drove aggressively to avoid the blasts and other obstacles such as guardrails, concrete barriers, and vehicles that were placed across the road to slow the movement of the convoy.
Within the first five minutes of the ambush, an enemy sniper wounded Brown with two shots to the head, while he was seated next to Church. Church grabbed his first aid pouch, ripped it open and instructed the wounded Brown to place a bandage over his left eye as Church continued to drive the Humvee.
While navigating the vehicle through obstacles, Church fired his rifle at insurgents with one hand while encouraging his platoon leader to stay conscious. Church continued to drive the Humvee on three tires for four miles while firing at enemy targets and changing magazines with one hand. He found an exit ramp and led the convoy to a security perimeter.
When out of range of the insurgents, Church carried Brown to safety where he could be treated and taken to a field hospital.
He then rallied the troops to mount an immediate recovery mission, going back into the fire-fight to assist other Soldiers still pinned down under fire. Church identified the assistant commander's vehicle amidst heavy black smoke and flaming wreckage of burning fuel tankers to find two more wounded Soldiers and four civilian truck drivers. He instinctively executed a hasty triage - identifying the most seriously wounded, administering first aid to a Soldier suffering from a chest wound, and then carrying the Soldier to a recovery vehicle while exposing himself to continuous enemy fire from both sides of the road.
Once all the wounded were loaded, there was no room left for Church in the vehicle. He instructed the Soldiers to take the wounded back to safety while he waited in the thick of the gun battle, under constant enemy fire.
Page 20 Army Reserve Magazine
FULL SIZE PIC
www.combatreform.com/spcjeremychurchfullsize.jpg
LTG James R. Helmly, congratulates SPC Jeremy Church on his being awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions in saving several Army Reserve Soldiers from his unit, including 1LT Matthew Brown, right, during the firefight near the Baghdad International Airport. Brown was severely wounded.
*********************************************
Church climbed into the disabled Humvee for cover, engaged enemy targets and killed several insurgents. The recovery team returned approximately 10 minutes later to pull him out of the battle.
Returning to safety, Church immediately rendered medical treatment to two civilians with minor wounds and loaded them into vehicles for ground evacuation. Before leaving the area, Church initiated a sweep of sensitive items and weapons to prevent capture by enemy forces.
Church's bravery in the face of danger and leadership under fire saved the lives of at least five Soldiers and four civilians.
The award was presented to Church on Feb. 27, 2005 by the Chief, Army Reserve, LTG James R. Helmly during the homecoming ceremony for Soldiers of the 724th Transportation Company.
THE HERO
By Paul Adams Army Reserve Public Affairs
Jeremy Church has gone from working for a company apprehending shoplifters to becoming the first Army Reserve Soldier to earn the Nation's third highest medal, the Silver Star, for heroic actions during the Global War on Terrorism.
Once responsible for insuring safety standards were adhered to as a loss prevention associate for Wal-Mart in Bloomington, Ill., prior to being mobilized, Church took on a much larger and more dangerous role as a basic fuel hauler and escort running gun trucks as an Army Reserve Specialist with the 724th Transportation Company. His job was to haul fuel or escort and protect the civilians who were hauling fuel in Iraq.
His actions would not only change him, but one day may change the world by saving the lives of Soldiers and civilians.
Summer 2005 page 21
The 27 year-old Illinois native's story has been widely told since his return, as he, accompanied by his platoon leader, 1LT Matthew Brown, and Army Reserve officials, completed a four day New York City media tour of television, radio and newspaper interviews while appearing on talk shows and news programs. Church, in a heroic and gallant action, saved the,.life of Brown on April 9, 2004, during one of the worst convoy attacks to occur in Iraq to date.
Following Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as a military policeman, Church completed the Combat Life Saver course that he would later employ in his career to save lives in combat. "The Combat Life Saver course benefited me that day following the attack," Church said in his matter-of-fact manner, "as well as the training I received from the 724th on how to drive the tanker systems." Church deployed as a fuel hauler but later switched over to gun trucks to protect the civilians who were hauling fuel.
On that fateful day, April 9, 2004, Church was driving the convoy commander in a Humvee. He was designated as 1LT Matthew Brown's driver back at Fort McCoy, before the unit deployed, when not running missions.
"Church is not a person who is concerned with his own well being," Brown said. "He puts others first and foremost, making sure other people are taken care of. I felt that I could count on him. I knew that he had a strong desire to do his job correctly. When you are my driver, you are my driver and there is no down time. He had a sense of dedication and willingness to do the job."
Church credits his success and survival following the insurgent attack on his convoy to his fellow Soldiers and leaders in the 724th. "I am very proud to serve under the leadership I did and with the Soldiers of the 724th. And I appreciate all the support back in the States," said Church.
Brown believes that Church doing what he did was due to his sense of loyalty and duty and fearless behavior. "When it came to that situation, Church reacted not because of his prior training (Combat Life Saver) but because of who he is as a person.
Those skills gave him the ability to take care of Soldiers and MP training gave him some knowledge on returning fire," Brown said.
According to Brown, the unit's battle drills and training as Army Reserve Soldiers was paramount to reacting to the situation properly. But he added, "The real story here is Church going back into the kill zone, when he didn't have to, when he put his life in jeopardy for everyone else and because he has such a loyalty and sense of duty to his fellow Soldiers and Company and to the Army Reserve."
"Church was always ready and mission focused," said SFC Robert Groff, platoon sergeant for 2nd Platoon, 724th. "He was very dedicated to his duty and the task at hand."
Groff believes that Church had some of the Warrior Ethos, 'Never leave a fallen comrade" instilled in him. "I believe [Church] felt that he as one could help somebody out."
Church and his battle buddies would always stick together. One of these was SPC Justin Curry. "His drive and willingness to get everybody back and not wanting to get anybody else killed is what I think made him go back into the kill zone," Curry said.
Brown said that he didn't know Church very well on a personal basis back at Fort McCoy. "We got to know each other when we were driving the roads of Iraq. That is when I began to get the sense of his dedication. I expect Church will excel at anything he wants if he has the certain motivation to pursue a certain career.
If he continues to be as focused as he is now, he will do well," Brown said.
Church remains focused on finishing his education and pursuing a career as a police officer or postal employee and staying with the 724th. He has recently re-enlisted for another six years following his return from Iraq.
"I enjoy the military," Church said. "It gives me a great sense of purpose. It gives me a foundation to form bonds with people and find very good friends and help change things in the world. I believe all Soldiers [in Iraq] are playing a part in changing the world," Church said.
He includes himself in this.
THE SILVER STAR
The Silver Star is awarded to a person serving in the U.S. Army who is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States - while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or while serving with foreign forces in armed conflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry must not only be uncommon, but marked with distinction.
The Citation Star was established by the 65th Congress on July 9, 1918. It was retroactive to include those cited for gallantry in action in previous campaigns back to the Spanish-American War. On July 19, 1932, the Secretary of War approved the Silver Star medal to replace the Citation Star. This design placed the Citation Star on a bronze pendant suspended from the ribbon design. Authorization for the Silver Star was placed into law by an Act of Congress for the Army on Dec. 15, 1942. So far, 147 Soldiers have been awarded the Silver Star for service in Operation Iraq Freedom and 25 Soldiers have been awarded the Silver Star for service in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Page 22 * Army Reserve Magazine
An 18D Special Forces Medic writes in about the problem of IVs freezing in Afghanistan:
"I used to carry them in a claymore bag-under my clothes.
Worked OK.
You have to consider the ballistic effects on bullet striking IV bag 'Water
charge'-next to body.
I still think there needs to an external heat source.
There are a couple proven techniques for keeping IVs warm:
1. Norweigian IV/Body heater-a little bulky-but works well
Tactical Tailor makes an insulated IV holder-I think it is called the PJ IV
kit/bag"
DOD/OASD-PA/JVISDA
11 HAP ARNOLD BLVD
TOBYHANNA PA 18466-5102
COMM: 570-895-79227
DSN: 795-7927
acthomas@hq.afis.osd.mil
"Injury, Treat, Die --- Re-Boot!"
Principal Investigator
Medical Simulation Technologies and Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith STTC RDECOM
But how can you tell who is a Combat LifeSaver or any combat medical Soldier/Paratrooper (18D SF Medical Sergeant or 91B Aidman) unless they have an EFMB (Expert Field Medical Badge) or CFMB (Combat Field Medical Badge)? What do you do if the E/CFMB is covered by flak jacket/body armor (as it should for ballistic protection)? What we need is a subdued Universal Combat Medical Identifier (UCMI) that would be worn on the shoulder sleeve to speed identification of medical care providers in our units. A sample pair of designs are depicted at the top of this web page.. With the new Army Combat Uniform (ACU) which has velcro on the sleeves, it'd be very easy to make an infared Combat LifeSaver identifier patch without requiring sewing.
SKEDCO in action in Afghanistan combat!
NSN 6545-01-527-9868 OD Green
NSN 6545-01-527-9871 Woodland Camou
NSN 6545-01-527-9875 Black
"...aerial medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) was critical, but prioritization of casualties was extremely difficult due to incomplete MEDEVAC requests, contributing to delays.
FEEDBACK!
2. MRE heaters-used quite often. I actually have a paper on this somewhere
3. Reheater.com makes some reuseable heating packs
Private Murphy's View
Return to Paratrooper 2000, click on M4 5.56mm Carbine with M203 40mm grenade launcher
Return to U.S. Army Airborne Equipment Shop
