thedrifter
10-20-07, 05:01 AM
Marines rolling with punches
PAUL H. MARCOTTE
October 20, 2007 - 12:32AM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The theory is to disorient Marines during training so they'll be calmer and more efficient in combat.
Camp Lejeune is putting that theory to work in its new Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer. The training introduces Marines to the stresses of a Humvee rollover and how to exit quickly from the vehicle to help prevent injuries to Marines.
Lt. Colonel Michael Kaine said the training isn't designed to simulate an explosion, fire or firefight. It's designed to disorient the Marines and to promote teamwork so all the passengers get out of the Humvee as quickly as possible, he said.
Kaine didn't have statistics documenting as to why Humvees roll over, but explosions and fire are a very real danger.
"IED's blow up entire roads and turn over tanks," Kaine said. "Humvees are nothing."
Wearing armored vests, goggles, helmets and knee pads, and carrying M-16 rifles, four Marines strapped themselves into a Humvee simulator Friday for the first of four scenarios.
The Humvee would roll over and land on its roof. The challenge to the four Marines was to find a door and exit the vehicle.
Sgt. Alfred Vela was with the first group of Marines to go through the training.
He said he doesn't really worry about a rollover and is confident he can handle one if it does happen.
"No, there's no fear," Vela said. "If it does happen, I know how to stay calm and get my Marines out of it. You have to stay calm. If you stay calm, you can do anything. The training will build confidence and teamwork. That's one of the biggest challenges."
Once the simulator began slowly turning, it was obvious from the smiles on the Marines' faces that what was happening was more like a carnival ride than a military exercise. The machine rolled over twice and came to an inverted stop. The Marines exited quickly, taking defensive positions around the vehicle.
The second scenario was a double rollover, with the Humvee coming to a stop at a 90-degree angle. The Marines were instructed to exit the top of the vehicle. It took considerably longer to exit the Humvee than it did during the first scenario, and the Marines were visibly uncomfortable, with reddened faces, and they appeared to be winded.
Staff Sgt. Harvey Gunnels said the training is designed to make the students uncomfortable and to see their instinctual reactions, because failure to exit the vehicle properly could cost lives.
"It's a very good and useful tool as far as spinning students through there and getting students uncomfortable with their surroundings. Spinning in any vehicle accident is uncomfortable, but the challenge is to egress efficiently while protecting Marine lives."
The other scenarios varied by simulating an injured driver or passenger and having the vehicle at a different angle.
Contact Jacksonville/ Onslow County Government reporter Paul H. Marcotte at pmarcotte@freedomenc.com or 353-1171 ext. 8466. To comment on this story go to www.jdnews.com.
Ellie
PAUL H. MARCOTTE
October 20, 2007 - 12:32AM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The theory is to disorient Marines during training so they'll be calmer and more efficient in combat.
Camp Lejeune is putting that theory to work in its new Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer. The training introduces Marines to the stresses of a Humvee rollover and how to exit quickly from the vehicle to help prevent injuries to Marines.
Lt. Colonel Michael Kaine said the training isn't designed to simulate an explosion, fire or firefight. It's designed to disorient the Marines and to promote teamwork so all the passengers get out of the Humvee as quickly as possible, he said.
Kaine didn't have statistics documenting as to why Humvees roll over, but explosions and fire are a very real danger.
"IED's blow up entire roads and turn over tanks," Kaine said. "Humvees are nothing."
Wearing armored vests, goggles, helmets and knee pads, and carrying M-16 rifles, four Marines strapped themselves into a Humvee simulator Friday for the first of four scenarios.
The Humvee would roll over and land on its roof. The challenge to the four Marines was to find a door and exit the vehicle.
Sgt. Alfred Vela was with the first group of Marines to go through the training.
He said he doesn't really worry about a rollover and is confident he can handle one if it does happen.
"No, there's no fear," Vela said. "If it does happen, I know how to stay calm and get my Marines out of it. You have to stay calm. If you stay calm, you can do anything. The training will build confidence and teamwork. That's one of the biggest challenges."
Once the simulator began slowly turning, it was obvious from the smiles on the Marines' faces that what was happening was more like a carnival ride than a military exercise. The machine rolled over twice and came to an inverted stop. The Marines exited quickly, taking defensive positions around the vehicle.
The second scenario was a double rollover, with the Humvee coming to a stop at a 90-degree angle. The Marines were instructed to exit the top of the vehicle. It took considerably longer to exit the Humvee than it did during the first scenario, and the Marines were visibly uncomfortable, with reddened faces, and they appeared to be winded.
Staff Sgt. Harvey Gunnels said the training is designed to make the students uncomfortable and to see their instinctual reactions, because failure to exit the vehicle properly could cost lives.
"It's a very good and useful tool as far as spinning students through there and getting students uncomfortable with their surroundings. Spinning in any vehicle accident is uncomfortable, but the challenge is to egress efficiently while protecting Marine lives."
The other scenarios varied by simulating an injured driver or passenger and having the vehicle at a different angle.
Contact Jacksonville/ Onslow County Government reporter Paul H. Marcotte at pmarcotte@freedomenc.com or 353-1171 ext. 8466. To comment on this story go to www.jdnews.com.
Ellie