Reservists train first responders during two-week training requirement

6/28/2008 By Lance Cpl. Monica C. Erickson , Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force Training Center 29 Palms
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. —

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. —Marines and sailors from Combat Logistics Company West worked long hours at the Combat Center for a week to train as first responders June 13- 28.

As first responders, Marines and sailors are trained to stabilize their injured comrades for the first critical minutes before they can be transported to the Shock Trauma Platoon.

CLC West is made up of Marines and sailors from 6th Motor Transport Battalion, out of Red Bank, N.J., and 4th Medical Battalion, out of San Diego. All of 6th Motor Transport Battalion was renamed Combat Logistics Battalion 41 during their training scenario, Operation Olympic Thrust.

Operation Olympic Thrust was created by 4th Marine Logistics Group to train the reserve Marines and sailors, and ensure they are fully prepared if they become activated and deploy.

Military members from 4th Medical Bn. set up a Shock Trauma Platoon where corpsmen conducted classes and training scenarios for the Marines in 6th Motor Transport Bn. training to become first responders.

“So far we have instructed over 100 Marines in the combat life-saving (course),” said Petty Officer 1st Class Keith Robert, the STP’s assisting officer in charge. “We are working directly with 6th Motors, training them as they are training us.”

The STP is designed to work as a mobile emergency room where a group of corpsmen and Marines moving behind the line of fire provide medical support to wounded service members.

“The training is crucial,” said Master Chief Donald Clark, who was maintaining the battalion aid station for CLC West. Clark had his corpsmen attend the STP first response training. “When they deploy for the first time they can get out there and start saving lives.”

STP held classes throughout the week that included how to insert breathing and nasal tubes, set a bone fracture, apply a tourniquet, insert an intravenous line, stabilize a gunshot or improvised explosive device wound and medically evacuate patients.

While training with the STP, 6th Motor Transport Battalion Marines also supported units currently undergoing Mojave Viper, a month-long pre-deployment training exercise. The Marines convoyed from Range 102 to Ranges 200 and 215 twice a day to deliver supplies and equipment, such as water, fuel and ice to their fellow Marines.

“It is a great opportunity for the Marines here that have been activated to pass down their knowledge,” said 2nd Lt. Curt Favinger, 6th Motor Transport Bn., 1st platoon commander. “It’s giving these Marines hands-on training with combat convoys.”

The battalions worked together to give the Marines and sailors the extra training they need to stabilize an injured comrade on the battle field until more help arrives.