A long line forms at the water buffalo as Soldier wait for the cool, refreshing water to quench their thirst. Staying hydrated is just one of the many measures Soldiers are taking to prevent injuries and illness. Preventative methods must be sustained to ensure Soldier safety.
There are multiple risks that Soldiers face while training in the field, but there are also many solutions that will aid them in maintaining their well-being.
“Dehydration and heat injuries are possibly the most severe threats that Soldiers face in the field,” said Lt. Col. Bruce A. Giamalva, a Mississippi Army National Guard nurse practitioner assisting with preventative measures.
Soldiers are encouraged to stay hydrated not only while they are at training, but also before they leave, said Capt. Sheri S. James, a family nurse practitioner with Company C, 106th Support Battalion.
While hydration is an important prevention method, wearing their uniform and equipment correctly is equally significant.
“Everyone in the field should wear their full gear with their hat or Kevlar to protect them from the sun,” said Giamalva.
Wearing their full uniform, which includes boots bloused, helps to prevent the entry of ticks, chiggers and other insects that can spread diseases, said Giamalva.
Hired contractors also put safety measures into effect by providing portable toilets and hand-washing stations.
They clean the portable toilets regularly, which helps prevent the spreading of germs, said Giamalva.
To assist in the reduction of germs spreading, there are hand-washing stations outside of the chow hall and most of the portable toilets, said James.
These preventive measures are just a few examples of the way the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team fights to maintain the health of Mississippi Guardsmen at Fort Hood, Texas, during their Multi-echelon Integrated Brigade Training exercise.
(Mississippi National Guard story by Sgt. Brittany Johnson, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs/Released)