PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan (October 18, 2012) – There have been many successes under the watch of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, when it comes to building stronger bonds with their Afghan partners. Since arriving here, the Dragon brigade’s soldiers have conducted numerous joint combat operations, joint artillery missions and now medical training.
On Oct. 15, Capt. Brian Stoltenberg, an Army Medical Specialist Corps of Excellence Award winning physical therapist assigned to Company C, 701st Brigade Support Battalion, passed on his useful techniques to the Afghan Army’s 2nd Brigade, 203rd Corps physician assistant and medic to better prepare them to get their soldiers back into the fight.
During their first meeting, the three met to discuss physical therapy methods designed to get soldiers back on the battlefield and into action. With the assistance of an interpreter, Stoltenberg was able to train Dr. Rafiullah and Staff Sgt. Khan on how to correct stiffness in the upper and lower back, neck, shoulders and ankles.
“I think it went really well. We had a new PA that appeared very thirsty for knowledge and a high speed medic that demonstrated the instruction well. They both made comments that this information was new for them,” Stoltenberg said.
“They will be able to expand their services, and they will be able to provide to their troops. Just that fact alone will give them more confidence in what they’re able to pass on to their patients,” he added.
Stoltenberg also said this training will affect their soldier’s readiness.
Also during the meeting, Rafiullah learned some basic spinal manipulations to reduce pain and soreness that affect the joints. To help them in their efforts of becoming proficient in the healing process, Stoltenberg gave his partners rolls of resistances bands to help strengthen the injuries received by the soldiers.
“It was absolutely great. I could use this in the future,” said Rafiullah, through the help of his translator.
Stoltenberg and his technician are more than willing to travel and pass on their knowledge to those in need, he said.
“Serving this population is the most rewarding part of this,” said Stoltenberg. “It’s a very rewarding feeling to one, return a soldier back to the fight and two, keep the healthy ones in it.”
| Date Taken: | 10.15.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2012 08:42 |
| Story ID: | 96425 |
| Location: | PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 347 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Getting 'physical' with the Afghan National Army, by SSG Gene Arnold, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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