Soldiers complete first 91W transition course in Iraq By Staff Sgt. Christopher Williams
BALAD, Iraq (Army News Service, June 13, 2005) – Soldiers from various units across Iraq came to Logistics Support Area Anaconda in May to complete the first course in theater to transition medics and practical nurses to the new 91W healthcare occupational specialty.
The Army Medical Department implemented the transition program in 2001, seeking to transform all 91B (medics) and 91C (practical nurses) into 91Ws. About 20,000 Soldiers worldwide have transitioned to the new military occupational specialty, according to the Army Medical Command.
Eight Soldiers completed the 23-day transition course in Iraq offered by the Combat Medical Training Center, 44th Medical Command.
The course challenged them with grueling coursework and hands-on practical applications. The Soldiers were given 15 examinations over the course of the program which included modules in basic life support, the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians, Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support and Trauma AIMS, short for Advanced airway, Intravenous therapy, Medications and pharmacology and Shock management.
Under the AMEDD’s new program, medics and practical nurses must complete the 91W transition by the year 2007, said Col. Dennis Driscoll, program director for CMTC, 44th MEDCOM. Those who fail to complete the transition will be considered non-MOS-qualified and forced to reclassify at the needs of the Army.
The 91W transition program is a long and comprehensive series of training blocks that gives medics and practical nurses the necessary skills to function on and off the battlefield.
“There weren’t enough medics to fill combat positions and there weren’t enough nurses to fill the clinical positions,” said Staff Sgt. Randall L. Scales, lead instructor, CMTC, 44th MEDCOM. “AMEDD came up with a solution to create one MOS that encompasses both the battlefield and clinical settings.”
The 44th MEDCOM’s Combat Medical Training Center at LSA Anaconda is the first and only medical training center of its kind in theater. Frequent and longer deployments have made the CMTC a valuable asset to the Army and the Soldiers it trains.
“We are the first to offer the transition training to medics while in theater,” said Driscoll. “In doing so, we’ve given Soldiers the opportunity to enhance their skills as well as continue to support their unit’s mission while deployed.”
Although a slightly different MOS, medics and practical nurses will still be able to specialize in other medical disciplines and can be recognized for doing so.
“The 91Cs will still be practical nurses,” Scales said. “Except now they’ll be a 91W with an M6 additional skill identifier and also have the skill sets to perform on the battlefield.”
The transition can be a lengthy process and varies from skill level to skill level. Some medical NCOs only have to complete certain portions of the 91W transition, while most need to go through the entire course.
“Back in the states, the training can take as long as six months to complete whereas here we get the Soldiers through it in about three weeks,” said Scales.
As impossible as it may seem, said Scales, the Soldiers had no trouble getting through the intense training. With little or no distractions due to work or personal issues, he added, the Soldiers were able to focus on the training and the training alone.
During the graduation ceremony leaders and supporters of the eight graduates filled the auditorium seats.
Driscoll thanked the commanders and NCOs in attendance for supporting the CMTC’s program and commended them for fostering the development of their own Soldiers.
“This training is something that the medics must do in order to remain MOS qualified and we appreciate the commanders for supporting this requirement,” said Driscoll.
Driscoll said that there’s more to this program than just fulfilling professional development requirements.
“The real reason behind this program is to put the best medics in the Army out on the battlefield,” he said. “With these eight Soldiers, I think we’ve started to do just that.”
The graduation ceremony for the transition program took place at the LSA Anaconda auditorium on May 28.
Graduating from the 91W-Transition course were: Sgt. 1st Class Michael Priebe, 411th CA Bn.; Sgt. Marquis Arnold, 1-13 Armor; Sgt. Eric Ashmore, 50th MEDEVAC; Sgt. Karolina Loyewska, 443rd CA Bn.; Sgt. Melissa Olson, HSC, 92nd Eng. Bn.; Spc. Frank Goodnight, HHC, 29th BCT; Spc. Jasmine Ocampo, HHC, 29th BCT; Pfc. Thomas Else, 546th ASMB.
(Staff Sgt. Christopher Williams is a member of the 27th Public Affairs Detachment.)
The new Combat Action Badge will be available in clothing sales stores later this summer.
Army announces new Combat Action Badge eligibility
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 10, 2005) -- The Army announced this week the eligibility requirements for its new Combat Action Badge.
The requirements are laid out in a Department of the Army letter published on June 3. The letter also discusses changes to the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Medic Badge.
(Click here to read the letter, which is posted on the Military Awards Branch page of the Human Resources Command webpage: Changes to the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Medical Badge and the Establishment of the Combat Action Badge. Information on processing procedures for the CAB may also be found at the Military Awards Branch page.)
The CAB, whose design features both a bayonet and grenade, may be awarded to any Soldier performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized, who is personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement, according to the specific eligibility requirements.
Award of the CAB is not limited by one’s branch or military occupational specialty; however, to receive the CAB, a Soldier must not be assigned or attached to a unit that would quality the Soldier for the CIB or CMB.
The CAB's creation was approved by Army chief of staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker on May 2, 2005, to provide special recognition to Soldiers who personally engage or are engaged by the enemy.
“Warfare is still a human endeavor,” Schoomaker said. “Our intent is to recognize Soldiers who demonstrate and live the Warrior Ethos.”
"The Global War on Terrorism and its associated operations will be the first era of conflict considered for this award," said Lt. Col. Bill Johnson, Human Resources Command chief of military awards. "September 18, 2001, is the effective date for the new award. That is when President Bush signed Senate Joint Resolution 23, authorizing the use of military force against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States."
The CAB should be available late this summer or early fall through unit supply and military clothing sales stores.
