By Sgt Amber Latham
The 844th Engineer Battalion, an Army Reserve Unit from Knoxville, Tennessee, provided an eight-day Combat Lifesaver Course to a group of eleven Soldiers from the Headquarters Field Engineer Regiment, Iraqi Army. The CLS Course teaches Soldiers how to provide advanced first aid and lifesaving procedures beyond the level that is taught during Army Basic Training. The goal was to conduct a "train-the-trainer" course so the Iraqi army soldiers could return to their units and train their own Soldiers.
Although CLS trained Soldiers are not intended to take the place of medical personnel, the structure of the HQ FER means that CLS-trained Soldiers often serve as the only medic within the unit. As a result, Soldiers need to be fully equipped and trained for the various medical situations that can quickly develop both on and off the battlefield.
The CLS students were taught various techniques to treat and stabilize conditions including blast injury and severe bleeding, amputation, penetrating chest injuries, and simple airway management.
"Language was a barrier, but we were easily able to overcome it. The curriculum was developed from scratch and everything was translat
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| U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Derek Kuhlenschmidt gives a detailed mission brief prior to the "live" exercise portion of the class. (Photo by Sgt Amber Latham) |
ed into Arabic. Our interpreter was a big help," stated Sgt. Kuhlenschmidt.
On the final day of training, the students took a written exam and participated in a real-life live training exercise at a nearby Military Operations in Urban Terrain site. They were able to demonstrate their knowledge by reacting to different scenarios and treating "victims".
"As coalition forces withdraw from Iraq, the training is important because the Iraqi Army needs to develop the skills necessary to be self-sustaining after our departure. Medical skills are an essential part of that development," stated Staff Sgt. Williams.
"Everything we do is by, with, and through our Iraqi partners", said Lt. Col. Adam S. Roth, the commander of the 844th Engineer Battalion. "The training we have done here, as part of our overall partnership efforts, has given the gift of life, and the ability to preserve it in a combat environment to our partners. I can think of no higher calling than to provide that kind of training to our brothers in arms."
