Photo By Staff Sgt. Paul Roberts | Static photo taken of the Biological Integrated Detection System vehicles without...... read more read more
ANNISTON, Ala. - Soldiers received certificates of completion for the last time here May 22, 2013. The Biological Integrated Detection System (BIDS) training program came to a conclusion after being in the Chemical Corps for 17 years and is being replaced by the Tactical Detection System (TDS).
Since Fort McClellan started the program in 1996, the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear BIDS course has certified more than 3,000 soldiers from 39 different units composing of Army active duty, Army Reserve and National Guard with a 98-percent success rate.
The 310th Chemical Company, a reserve unit from Fort McClellan, was the first BIDS unit introduced into training the system for the Army, and has supported multiple chemical units through the venture of the course’s history.
“I feel that this course provides an excellent foundation”, said 2nd Lt. Gerald Charleston, operations officer with the 374th Chemical Company out of Riverside, Calif. “Not only a foundation, but a good operational sense for how the BIDS should be employed in theater.”
The chemical soldiers received extensive training over a three-week period for the BIDS which included classroom exercises and testing, hands-on training as well as a field training exercise to ensure they are properly trained, proficient in operating procedures and would be able to return to their home station with the knowledge to effectively operate the system with little to no assistance at all.
“The classroom combined with the hands-on was perfect,” said Spc. Joseph Reilly, BIDS operator with the 307th Chemical Company from Bell, Calif. “I think everyone out there knows what they’re doing,” added Reilly on describing the training on the BIDS.
“I’m really glad that I can take all of this home with me,” said Sgt. Amanda Jacob, team leader with the 308th Chemical Company out of Vallejo, Calif. in reference to taking her training back to her unit.
Jacob also stated that she feels fully confident she can do her job when she gets back home.
One of the team leaders for the BIDS, Tom Herald, who works for the Scientific Application International Corporation (SAIC), helped train the last class of chemical soldiers to military standards and beyond.
“We strive to be very professional, we make it out to be about the soldiers, our customers; and to us, it’s all about them, that’s why we push for such quality in our training,” said Herald.
With the military diversity between the trainers and the soldier-trainees, both sides agree the quality of training given and received was either met or exceeded each other’s potential.
“You don’t get a group of guys with different backgrounds, that have a like-mind and teach the same,” said Spc. Reilly, in reference to the quality of training that he received from his instructors on the BIDS.
“I was impressed how they handled privates all the way to the Lt.” Reilly added.
Even though the training has come to a conclusion at Fort McClellan, does not mean the Chemical Corps have closed the book. The BIDS will be replaced by the TDS, on the Stryker vehicle platform, starting a new chapter.
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.29.2013 16:28 |
| Story ID: | 107709 |
| Location: | ANNISTON, AL, US |
| Hometown: | BELL, CA, US |
| Hometown: | RIVERSIDE, CA, US |
| Hometown: | VALLEJO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 872 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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