Dedication vital stat for success

Photo By Edward Mingin | Jamell Hassell, a trainer at the ASA - Dix Medical Simulation Training Center, plays the role of an insurgent during a training exercise. Hassell was showing how hostile forces often try to trick Soldiers and catch them off guard. The ASA-Dix MSTC was awarded this year's Cpl. Angelo J. Vaccardo Award, which is given yearly by the U.S. Army Medical Department to the best medical training facility in the Army.  

FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES

06.21.2010

Story by Edward Mingin 

USASA, Fort Dix

FORT DIX, N.J. -- Keeping a finger on the pulse of training brought recognition to Dix medical trainers who grabbed an Army-wide award.

The Army Support Activity-Dix Medical Simulation Training Center was presented with the Cpl. Angelo J. Vaccaro Award, which is given yearly by the U.S. Army Medical Department to the organization it deems as the best medical training facility in the Army.

“We beat out 254 other sites to win this,” said Sgt. Maj. Douglas Levy, program director of the Dix MSTC.

The MSTC uses a variety of training techniques and props, including life-like mannequins that have a pulse, blinking eyes, and the ability to bleed. But Levy says that’s not what makes the Dix MSTC work so well. Instead, Levy praises his staff, saying they are the reason for the organization’s success.

“Every site is pretty much doing the same things. What makes us stand out is the dedication of our people. We’re presenting a better product with what we have,” Levy said.

Keeping an eye on the goal of presenting better service to those receiving training at the MSTC, Levy and his crew constantly look to revise the program. He said they get feedback from Soldiers who have been through the training and applied it in a real-world situation.

Feedback also comes from Levy’s staff. Several have military service and deployment experience. Jamell Hassell, a CSC contract employee, is MSTC site manager, and has firsthand knowledge he can pass on to Soldiers.

“I was in the Army for eight years. I was a medic” said Hassell. “When my deployment was up, I started as a trainer.”

Hassell and the MSTC crew strive to make the training as realistic as possible, and they teach Soldiers how to do more than apply bandages and fix wounds. They’ll often role-play and act as hostiles, putting Soldiers on the spot to make hasty decisions. Role-players will do what they can to put Soldiers in a difficult decision-making situation.

“We do a lot of innovative things that people do over there to try to trick us. We incorporate that into the training,” said Levy.

“We teach them what they need to know, but we try to get them thinking outside the box and give them more to consider,” Hassell added.

Soldiers participating in the course might not realize the work that goes on behind the scenes, but they are aware of the value of the training.

“They really put us in a combat situation,” said Corpus Christi, Texas resident Spc. Christopher Ripoll, 288th Quartermaster. “It was different than other training I’ve had. The hardest part was the room at the end of the obstacle course. It was dark; there were some flashing lights and a lot of casualties. We had to check for a pulse and see who was still alive. There was a lot going on. It was really intense.”

Spc. Anthony Stewart, 288th Quartermaster, also of Corpus Christi echoed the statements of his comrade, alluding to challenge of the dark room.

“I’ve had CLS [Combat Life Saver] classes before, it was nothing like this. There were bodies and blood all over the place. It was a shock when the mannequin started blinking and had a pulse. Made it seem realistic,” he said.

Award winning program or not, Levy and the ASA-Dix MSTC staff said they are dedicated to ensuring Soldiers have the best training they can provide.
“We cannot be negligent and miss anything that might save someone’s life,” Levy said.

• Date Taken: 06.21.2010
• Date Posted: 06.21.2010 09:19
• Story ID: 51726
• Location: FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY, US