Traumatic training: US Soldiers train Afghan combat medics

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army combat medics proudly walked to the front of the room to receive their graduation certificates at Forward Operating Base Thunder Feb. 6.

The soldiers completed an extended three-month combat medical training course. The students learned valuable medical skills such as intravenous infusions, burn treatment, tactical combat casualty care and triage procedures.

“I enjoyed studying about burns,” said ANA soldier Sayed Rahim of Dai Kondi, one of the combat medic graduates. “Too many people have been burned badly in Afghanistan and I would like to be able to help treat them.”

These skills are vital to the battlefield. Afghan soldiers put them to the test a week prior to graduation in a trauma lane exercise. The trauma lanes put soldiers into a simulated battle environment intended to simulate stress similar to what they will face in real life.

“We try to make the training as realistic as possible,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Erin M. King of Polk, Pa., Forward Operating Base Lightning Medical Training Team noncommissioned officer in charge. “Because of the intensity of the training, we are confident at the end of the day that they are better prepared to handle any medical issues that they may come across on the battlefield.”

Medics go through all of the steps of tactical combat casualty care during the trauma lanes. Student serve as both medical professionals and casualties. Casualties are assessed, treated with immediate aid and then evacuated to a safe area where they receive a head-to-toe assessment and further care, if necessary.

Instructors work hands-on with their students throughout the course, but are especially vigilant during the culmination exercise.

“We help to make sure that what they are doing is correct and to standard” said U.S. Army Spc. Christopher M. Theodule of Valley Stream, N.Y., a member of the combat medic training team. “We put them under stress to help them get used to the intensity of being a real combat medic, while helping to guide them and teach them what they need to do and what they can’t do.”

Instructors and students share a sense of pride upon completion of the course.

“Watching our 30 students receive their certificates was a proud moment in this deployment,” said King. “We’ve been with this group of students longer than usual and we were able to interact with them and learn from them as well as teach them.”