Photo By Laurie Pearson | Soldiers with the Idaho National Guard upload tracked equipment such as the M60 AVLB,...... read more read more
The two-week Railhead Operations Group Training Course offered by the Railway Operations School provides extensive classroom and hands-on experience on the Yermo Annex aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
“Out of the 14-day training, the first two days are in-classroom instruction,” said Chad Hildebrandt, Railway Operations supervisor. “The remaining days are spent in the field, supporting real-world operations.”
The only training of its kind is offered several times throughout the year. Class sizes have ranged from as many as 110 to as few as six students with a typical class size holding approximately 45 students. The courses are administered by four instructors.
“Upon checking in with the staff, students are assigned a barracks room, and given course materials to include radios and hardhats,” Hildebrandt said. “Throughout their training, all students are required to stay in the RailOps training barracks located within building 582.”
Due to the lack of a chow hall, all students are placed on Per Diem during the course, he explained.
“There are limited microwaves for the students to utilize here in the building,” Hildebrandt said. “In an effort to support our students better, oftentimes we coordinate the use of the Expeditionary Field Kitchens that are established and manned by the rotational units. The students are allowed to eat hot chow for breakfast and dinner and they are on their own for lunch, which takes place during the natural ebbs and flows of daily operations.”
Transportation is also taken into consideration during their stay. The class provides two General Services Administration (GSA) vans for students to utilize while attending the course.
Given that the base is located in the Mojave Desert, proper preparations for extreme weather conditions is crucial.
“Winter temperatures average around 45 to 55 degrees,” said Master Sgt. Patrick Grabowski, Railway Operations chief. “Summer averages around 110 to 120 degrees throughout the day. In order to prevent heat casualties in the summer, it is important to maintain proper hydration, nutrition and fitness standards. Most of the time, our guys drink more than a gallon of water per day, plus sports drinks that include electrolytes which are important for proper body functioning. We also mandate cooling breaks in the shade periodically throughout the work days.”
“Throughout the course, students spend on average 10 to 12 hours a day out in the field conducting training and operations,” Hildebrandt said. “Students are required to have a water source on their body at all times and hydration is stressed throughout the day. There are Medics, Navy Corpsman, strategically placed throughout the railhead also for added support.”
In the past six years of operating, the schoolhouse has suffered zero heat casualties to students. This is a track record they intend to maintain, Hildebrandt explained.
There are three primary courses offered at this time:
• Railhead Operations Group Training Course –
Certificate of Completion - 14 Days
• Railhead Operations Group Instructor Course
– Certified Instructor - 90 Days
• Special Forces Training Course - N/A – Varies
Any DoD personnel can attend the course to include Active Duty military personnel, Reservists, National Guard units, or civilians.
“At this time we do not allow DoD contractors to attend the course,” Hildebrandt said, though things could change.
Though things can change, depending on the demands of the real-time operations, on average, a day-in-the-life of a RailOps student goes as follows:
• Wake-Up – 0530
• Barracks Clean-up - 0530-0600
• Morning Meeting - 0600-0630
• Mandatory Daily Safety Brief - 0630-0645
• Begin Operations - 0645-1800
• Evening Meeting - 1800-1830
• Turn-to for personal time, homework, laundry.
“Or, if mission dictates, students, return to the railhead for operations,” Hildebrandt said. “This changes, but can range from 1800 to 2300 hours. Night training does occur if mission allows though.”
Throughout the course, students are tested in three areas. The first is based on in-class exams and homework assignments. They are also tested on field proficiencies. Upon completion of the course, a final written examination is administered.
“Students must score an 85 percent or better in all testing areas to gain mastery of the course and graduate,” he said. “Although students are allowed to engage in physical training if they choose to do so, most choose not to after working a 14 hour day in the blazing sun.”
To inquire about the courses, contact Chad Hildebrandt or Master Sgt. Patrick Grabowski at 760-577-7781.
| Date Taken: | 06.27.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.11.2019 13:08 |
| Story ID: | 330909 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, RailOps’ training offers critical experience, knowledge, by Laurie Pearson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
