Training HEATs up for Soldiers in Headquarters Battalion

Soldiers from Belvoir's Headquarters Battalion participated in weapons training, urban combat tactics, hand-to-hand combat and emergency preparedness during a recent two-day Army Warrior Training course at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

The Soldiers began with Humvee Egress Assistance Training, a program designed to increase their chances of avoiding death or injury in the case of a vehicle rollover.

"We did HEAT drills which simulate a humvee rollover on land and in the water," said Spc. Tavoris Myles, Woodlawn Chaplain's assistant. "We worked upside down to quickly exit the flipped vehicle."
HEAT's objective is to help Soldiers to achieve self-control and overcome natural fear and panic in the event a vehicle becomes inverted.

"You have to do everything the opposite when you are upside down. It creates an adrenaline rush," said Spc. Michelle Rivera, supply clerk, Army Material Command. "Training was very realistic of situations down range," Rivera said.

Vehicle crews are trained to anticipate the impending roll and immediately pull the turret gunner into the vehicle and restrain him.

"We were instructed on how to pull the gunner down. It was good refresher training to me," Myles said. "The training was beneficial because it focused on urban situations."

A study reported by Defense Helicopter Magazine in September 2000 said a person who is HEAT-trained stands a 250 percent greater chance of survival than an untrained occupant, when faced with an egress emergency. The training was developed on feedback received from Soldiers overseas.

"The training technology has greatly increased since my deployment to Baghdad in 2003," said Lt. Col. Kevin McKenna, commander, Headquarters Battalion. "We used to sit in a humvee and talk through the scenarios. The experience of having your body weight turned upside down is valuable training. I am truly an advocate of this facility."

After completing HEAT, Soldiers took on Wounded Wing Training.

"One arm was behind our back to represent an amputation," Rivera said. "We were taught to fire and load an M-16 with one arm and demonstrate SPORTS (slap, pull, observe, release, tap and shoot.)
"It was very frustrating trying to shoot an M-16 with one arm to hit targets. It took a lot of muscle," she said.

"We also went over battle stances, how to lean forward to keep balanced ... [and] how to change magazines while keeping an eye on the target at all times," Myles said. "It was a good refresher course on how to work effectively as a unit in a line or column."

Military Operations on Urban Training Terrain training was also a focus during the course.

MOUT teaches Soldiers how to patrol cities and operate in buildings where decisions must be made quickly.

"The training was very relevant and realistic, I've previously been deployed and these are situations that occur out on the battlefield," Rivera said.

Soldiers from headquarters battalions at Belvoir, and forts Myer and Meade attended the training.

McKenna and Belvoir's Headquarters Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Allison Smith, credited Command Sgt. Maj. Andrea Marks of Headquarters Battalion, Fort Myer, for developing the idea and offering it to the Military District of Washington; and, Capt. Andrea So, commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company Special Activities, for coordinating the training plan for the battalion.

"It is low-to no-investment and high-payoff for us ... [and] ensures our Soldier's skill sets are sustained," McKenna said.

"The training has truly helped us assess where Soldiers are and assisted us in making our own training plan," Smith said.