Another step in preparing Iraqi's to take care of themselves..
CAMP JUSTICE, Iraq -- Soldiers of the 1st Iraqi Army Brigade received training on basic first aid, sexually transmitted diseases, and personal field hygiene April 12, making them even more prepared to handle medical emergencies in a war zone. “The purpose is to increase education of the Iraqi Army medical sections, and to clarify the existing knowledge,” said Lt. Col. Fuoud, 1st IA Bde. Surgeon. He said the Iraqi medical personnel are well educated, but most have only hospital experience. His vision is for them to be proficient medically on the battlefield. He hopes to improve on the training program, with the help of the U.S. Army. “We are in need of a sophisticated program, one that will educate the Soldiers in all positions,” said Fuoud. Battalions were tasked to send five medics to the training. After they receive and pass all requirements, they will go back and train their own Soldiers. The education, until now, was primitive, said Fuoud. “Each Soldier should know how to use a battlefield dressing, how to conduct personal hygiene in the field, and how to maintain medical operations in that type of environment,” he said. Fuoud also said the subjects of the instruction needed to be wide-ranged, and the staff needed to be plentiful. “The more medical personnel you have, the better,” he said. He said Soldiers need to be prepared for anything, and learn the fundamentals of first aid. In this program they are taught enough skills to effectively stabilize an injured Soldier for medical evacuation. Master Sgt. Tony Williams, with the 3rd Infantry Division Surgeon office, said the Soldiers followed the ways of Saddam’s regime in the past, but now are learning more advanced ways to treat wounds and illnesses.
“There has been a vast improvement since this training began. Their skills have increased due to the training, and they are willing to soak up all the information that we can throw out to them,” said Williams. The training consisted of classroom instruction, and was given by Williams and Fuoud, who also administered an oral exam.
After they passed, Williams gave a hands-on test, to see how well they performed under pressure. The Soldiers were required to perform CPR on a mannequin, as well as apply field dressing to a bleeding wound. All Soldiers passed with flying colors and received certificates of achievement. They agree that the classes will be beneficial to Soldiers in future combat operation. A brother and sister from Baghdad joined the Iraqi Army together, though it was not the intention at the beginning of the day.
They attended a recruiting drive and the brother was there only as a spectator to cheer on his sister, a second lieutenant. However, once he saw how the medical operations ran, he was hooked. “I feel confident that if I had to use my medical training, I could perform my duties as an effective combat medic,” said the lieutenant.
Her brother said he is grateful for the additional training. “It has increased my skills of first aid and made life in combat easier.”
Fuoud said the training was one more step toward independence, and he felt that it will only get better. “We’re making progress, and I think with time, it will grow. It’s slow right now, but the goal is to have medical support for the entire Iraqi Army,” he said.