Photo By Master Sgt. Michael Touchette | Sgt. Maj. Brian Knowles, Montana National Guard safety specialist, teaches Townsend Elementary School first‑grade students about the Army’s 3R program—Recognize, Retreat, Report—on Sept. 9. The program helps children understand how to stay safe if they encounter suspected unexploded ordnance near Army training areas.
U.S. National Guard photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Touchette. see less
| View Image Page
Montana National Guard Delivered 3Rs Explosives Safety Training to Townsend First Graders
Townsend, MONT. – The Montana National Guard provided Recognize, Retreat, Report (3Rs) explosives safety training to first grade students at Townsend Elementary School on Wednesday morning, fulfilling Department of Defense requirements for communities located near military training areas.
The training reached Four first grade classes totaling approximately 70 children, giving students age appropriate instruction on how to identify and safely respond to potential military munitions or unexploded ordnance. Townsend borders the Limestone Hills Training Area, where legacy munitions may be present on surrounding public lands.
The class was taught by Sgt. Maj. Brian Knowles, Montana National Guard safety specialist, who led students through the indoor portion of the lesson before guiding them outside for hands on practice. Knowles used a tailored presentation to introduce the 3Rs: Recognize when an item may be a munition, Retreat without touching it, and Report the discovery to 911 or local law enforcement.
Knowles was assisted by Capt. Lisa M. Urnaitis, Safety and Occupational Health manager; 1st Lt. Rachel Bakke Church, Range Management Authority; Sgt. 1st Class Will Gnagi, ammunition and explosives handler; and Sgt. Kadin Hawley, HazMat technician.
During the outdoor portion, Gnagi and Hawley conducted a practical exercise in which students identified inert dummy UXOs placed in open grass, shrubs, mulch beds and other natural features. The activity allowed students to practice spotting potential munitions in realistic environments and reinforced the importance of not touching or approaching suspicious items.
“This was a great opportunity to educate our community about what the Montana National Guard does, the potential impact unexploded ordnance can have, and how people should respond if they come across anything suspicious while recreating near Limestone Hills,” said Bakke-Church.
Students received Army Safety Program coloring books and folding camp stools to use during the presentation and take home afterward.
The Army’s 3Rs Explosives Safety Program, established in 2000, teaches simple, life saving steps to protect the public. Military munitions, whether found on land or in water, remain dangerous even when old or appearing harmless. Federal regulations require installations to provide UXO safety education to nearby communities.
“Today’s training ensured local students know how to respond safely if they ever encounter something that looks like ammunition,” Knowles said. “These lessons strengthen community awareness and support the mission at Limestone Hills.”
For more information about the 3Rs Explosives Safety Program, visit https://www.3rs.mil/.
