FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Whether you are infantry, a medic or a quartermaster Soldier, the Medical Simulation Training Center (MSTC) can provide any medical training required by the Army, plus a little more.
The 2014 Quartermaster Liquid Logistics Exercise (QLLEX), operationally controlled by the 633rd Quartermaster Battalion here, involves Soldiers of a variety of jobs, including water purification specialists, shower/laundry and clothing repair specialists, food service specialists and petroleum supply specialists. As non-combat, non-medical professions, these Soldiers have every reason to go through their combat lifesaver (CLS) recertification course.
The four-day CLS course incorporated many simulated distractions that will make the Soldiers distraught and confused, simulating combat stress for extreme medical situations.
“Medical training is a diminishing skill that requires a constant refresher for non-medics in the Army,” said Master Sgt. Jeff Bell, of Fayetteville, a special operations combat medic with the XVIII Airborne Corps. “It’s about maintaining and sustaining these important proficiencies.”
There are 18 MSTC facilities both inside and out of the contiguous United States and offer a wide variety of courses for medical and non-medical personnel, including Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard units. Their goal is to better prepare Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines for the application of medical interventions under combat conditions.
Some of the courses offered on the 275 acres here are: Dragon First Responder, Emergency Medical Technician – Basic, Combat Lifesaver, Medic Table VIII and Medic Leadership.
“This place rocks,” said Bell, “We need more facilities like these due to the advanced and amazing services.”
Instructors only coach the Soldiers where to go while in the field. How they get there and how they react to anything that may occur is up to the leaders assigned in the groups. The instructors will also yell at the Soldiers to force them to work at a faster pace to add to the stress of performing CLS under simulated conditions.
“It is very hands-on here with little classroom work,” said Benjamin Smith, of Fayetteville, a civilian contractor for the MSTC. “There shouldn’t be anymore small unit trainings in a motor pool or office, they should train right and bring it to the subject matter experts.”
Smith said that when the Soldiers are deployed and doing their job, the enemy will still shoot at them no matter their job. The quartermasters here for QLLEX will have to be able to perform medical services to injured troops overseas when deployed, and Smith hopes to have them prepared for it.
“It’s important that every Soldier can step up in a time of need,” said Spc. Emon Taylor, a water treatment specialist with the 431st Quartermaster Detachment. “They provide us with every opportunity to learn here. I like all the lanes. It’s different situations on different lanes, and they are all equally important.”