Airmen wrapped up in their work

Published Jan. 29, 2014
By Lt. Col. Sharon Presley
345th Recruiting Squadron commander

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Personnel deploying to the combat zone are taught to "shoot, move, communicate and treat their wounded." While shooting isn't de rigueur for recruiters, members of the 345th Recruiting Squadron recently learned that moving, communicating and treating the injured are.

First Lt. Christopher Bollinger, 345th RCS Support Flight commander; Staff Sgt. Nicholas Arcadipane, St Louis Military Entrance Processing Station Liaison NCO; and Tech. Sgt. Juan Villa, Client Systems Technician, attended Self Aid Buddy Care training Jan. 15.

According to Air Force Instruction 36-2644, SABC "provides first-aid training to preserve life, limb, and eyesight in a deployed environment or during an emergency at the home unit."

Since the SABC class was based in the vicinity of Scott Air Force Base, Ill., a region known for extreme weather variations and road conditions, the team's SABC training came with the knowledge that the ensuing skills might be required in-garrison.

Shortly after the training, Scott AFB personnel received a delayed reporting notice since "the transition from rain to snow coupled with rapidly dropping temperatures and high winds ... led to flash freezing and dangerous road conditions." Scott AFB's operational risk management and the 345th RCS' robust safety program kicked in before SABC skills were required.

However, readiness, including SABC, is more than just recurring training - it is a mindset.