Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kristina Scott | Pfc. Justin Weitkamp, a native of York, Pa., and a food service specialist assigned to...... read more read more
By Sgt. 1st Class Kristina Scott
BAGHDAD, Iraq — 'Rollover, Rollover, Rollover!'
In a real-world situation, it's the last thing you ever want to hear. But it's probably one of the best training opportunities you might ever experience.
The Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle is a monster. It's big, it's bad, and it's not the easiest vehicle from which to get out, especially in a moment of panic. So the Army is training Soldiers how to properly exit the MRAP with a rollover simulator called the MET, or MRAP Egress Trainer.
The MET at Camp Liberty is normally run by contracted civilians, but Soldiers who have completed a 40-hour training course are also allowed to instruct, said Sgt. 1st Class Nakia Way, the current instructor, a native of Andrews, Texas, and the battalion operations night battle captain assigned to Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st Armored Division.
"It's all about safety. It gives a realistic understanding of what can happen," said Way.
Each course rotation can accommodate nine Soldiers; two in the front seats, six in the back seats and one in the gunner's turret.
Soldiers who participate are briefed by the instructor on how exactly the simulation will occur. Initially, the simulator is rotated 360 degrees in order to ensure that all seatbelts are tightened properly. After the first rotation, the MET is brought back to the upright position, and the Soldiers re-tighten all straps and belts. The simulator then goes through a "side drill" in which the MET is rolled onto its side, and all Soldiers are instructed to exit through the gunner's hatch. As the Soldiers exit the MET, they must assume they are exiting into a hostile environment, which means immediately establishing a secure perimeter and communicating to the truck commander that all have exited by calling out, in sequence, "one up, two up ..."
The third simulation concludes with the MET upside down, and Soldiers must again figure out which door they will use to exit.
The MET is equipped with items specifically designed to simulate equipment that might be in an MRAP, but in accordance with safety requirements, the items are made of Styrofoam.
"It shows how them how to secure stuff inside the vehicle," said Way.
The MET also has realistic items, such as the gunner's restraint system, which is designed to keep the gunner inside the protective interior of the MRAP.
"It does the job," said Pfc. Simeon Nunnally, a native of Atlanta, Ga., and an all-wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to the 501st Military Police Company, DSTB, 1st Arm. Div. Nunnally also added that the restraint system did not allow him to go anywhere.
Sgt. Melissa Florence, a native of Tampa, Fla., and food service sergeant assigned to Company B, DSTB, 1st Arm. Div., found the training to be beneficial. "I've never even seen an MRAP, so I don't know what to expect," she said, before entering the MET. After the rollover training Florence proudly exclaimed, "We successfully maneuvered two worst-case scenarios, and we did it without injuries!"
The MET is operated daily, and is available to all commanders who would like their Soldiers to go through the training. Training can be scheduled through Sgt. Maj. Dale Sump, the 1st Arm. Div. future operations training sergeant major.
| Date Taken: | 01.05.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.05.2010 02:41 |
| Story ID: | 43445 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 1,020 |
| Downloads: | 795 |
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