CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Sixteen medics from 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, participated in a top medic challenge at Camp Taji June 21.
The competition stretched the abilities of eight, two-medic teams who travelled from bases large and small across the brigade area of operations. Each of the six battalions in the brigade was allowed to send as many as two teams, the goal being to determine the best team through grueling challenges aimed at testing Soldier and medic skills.
“It takes a lot of heart and determination to be the best medic,” said Staff Sgt. Steven Haney, a health care sergeant from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. “You have to set your goals and not let yourself come up short.”
Completing the tasks could have been tough enough, but they faced the additional challenge of a harsh Iraqi environment in which to compete.
“Even though it was at night, it was still roughly 100 degrees out,” said Haney. “The heat takes a lot out of you.”
Officials factored in the heat when deciding to conduct the competition during the night in order to ensure teams proceeded through the entire course safely and with minimize risk of heat casualties.
Early in the evening, medics first completed a physical fitness test, followed immediately by a written exam. Each Soldier repeatedly wiped sweat from their dripping foreheads as they answered questions on basic medical treatment.
They then geared up in body armor for a 12-kilometer road march. Halfway through the road march, teams stopped to perform function checks on their M4 carbine rifles and M9 pistols, and then attempt to qualify with each weapon at a range.
Following the weapons qualification, the medics returned to the road to complete the march, stopping one last time at a station where they had to extract a simulated casualty from a Stryker, treat the injuries, and drag a sled simulating the weight of a wounded Soldier 250 meters, where they loaded the casualty onto another Stryker and performed a nine-line medical evacuation, calling for it to be extracted.
Late into the night, as teams circulated through each event, some said the combination of heat and the sheer amount of physical activity brought them to a new level of fatigue.
“I was hurting…but I kept myself motivated by motivating my partner,” said Haney. “I didn’t want to let my teammate down…because he showed a lot of heart and determination throughout the competition.”
With the variety of skills and techniques that each medic brought to the competition, the experience provided them an opportunity to learn from each another.
“It was good to see and hear how they perform medical tasks to get different ideas about how to do things,” said Staff Sgt. Charles Ensminger, the Raider Clinic noncommissioned officer in charge.
He added that it was also great to complete the medical challenge with one of his own Soldiers.
“It felt good to accomplish this and finish on your feet,” said the Port St. Lucie, Fla., native. “We had a great team and so we definitely earned some bragging rights.”
Many competed, but in the end, Haney and his partner, Sgt. Mitchell Popple, from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, captured the top medic title with a time of 3 hours, 27 minutes, 22 seconds.
After the intent of the top medical challenge was met and the winners rewarded after a night of grueling tests, every competing medic was acknowledged for their motivation, determination and expertise.
“We received great participation from the entire brigade…that fostered espirit de corps among the medics,” said Capt. Brian Coaker, commander of Company C, 702nd Brigade Support Battalion, and the competition organizer. “The best showed up to compete in this great event.”
| Date Taken: |
06.21.2010 |
| Date Posted: |
07.01.2010 08:59 |
| Story ID: |
52224 |
| Location: |
CAMP TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: |
398 |
| Downloads: |
329 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Medics test for best honors in Raider Brigade, by 1SG Luisito Brooks, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
Subscribe
