Honing Warrior Skills on Deployment

Photo By Maj. Demietrice Pittman | TF MED Soldiers gather under a hut to protect themselves from the rain and cold. The temperatures hovered around 38 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the day.  

KOSOVO

12.31.2019

Story by Maj. Demietrice Pittman 

Task Force Medical

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - On 11 December 2019, the Task Force Medical (TF MED) team deployed to Kosovo pull on their wet and cold weather gear in preparation for 2 days of weapons training. They completed the M9 range on 11 December and suited up again to complete the M4 range on 12 December.

The Soldiers with TF MED are deployed to provide medical care for the military, civilian and contractors assigned to Kosovo to help assist in making it a safe and secure environment. The range was recently opened so TF MED jumped on an opportunity to allow their Soldiers the chance to get their weapons qualification during deployment. It will save them from having to try to quickly arrange training when they redeploy. This training is critical to ensure the operational readiness of the Soldiers.

Cpt. David Wright, the range officer in charge (OIC) expressed his excitement in how the events turned out.

“We worked hard to come up with a plan to execute this range and use our time effectively while deployed,” noted Cpt. Wright, S3, operations officer with TFMED. “We were able to get many Soldiers qualified which will aid in promotion points and readiness.”

The medical team also saw the time on the range as a way to conduct team building and improve comradery. The temperature hovered in the high 30s so a warming room was opened between firing orders. Time was spent doing one on one talks as well as group huddles, helping clean weapons and other times to reconnect with members who are often busy with work. Lots of laughter could be heard during the day.

TF MED are definitely using the deployment to its fullest.

• Date Taken: 12.31.2019
• Date Posted: 12.31.2019 04:49
• Story ID: 357690
• Location: ZZ