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RIVRON 1 Applies Special Skills During ULT

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070125-10
Release Date: 1/25/2007 3:36:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mandy McLaurin, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

FORT PICKETT, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors attached to Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1 applied their cultural and language training within realistic combat scenarios during a unit level training (ULT) exercise at Fort Pickett, Va., Jan 22-24, thanks to the help of Strategic Operations (StratOps), a San Diego-based movie production company.

StratOps provided subject matter experts for simulated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and a variety of simulated gun fire. They also used professional make-up artists to produce life like combat wounds, and trained actors who expressed a rollercoaster of emotions within an Iraqi based language and culture for the ULT exercise in efforts to prepare RIVRON 1 Sailors for deployment.

Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman(SW) Walter McCorkill commented on the training received and how StratOps brought it to life.

“We have props to simulate actual casualty wounds and brought in actual amputees (live actors) to make it more realistic for the Sailors participating in the exercise,” said McCorkill. “What this does is help the Sailors realize how important they are to one another within their units, and how important it is to take care of each other.”

Lt. Cmdr. Craig Trent, a training officer for Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), explained why cultural and language training is important to Riverine Sailors.

“They are actually going to be on the ground and in the rivers, and they will come into contact with foreign nationals," said Trent. "They need to be able to understand the culture of where they are, and also some language skills so that they can interact and speak to the foreign nationals. It’s very important.”

The ULT included scenarios where RIVRON 1 Sailor’s training was put to the test.

Lt. Chris Cowart, Riverine Group One training officer, gave a tour of a replica village that the Sailors could possibly go through in a convoy transport. He went on to describe the RIVRON 1 Sailor’s role in the scenario and what happened.

“The Sailors have to flex their language skills to understand the cultural setting, so that they can interact with the role players during the scenario,” he said.

Quartermaster 1st Class (SW) Lance Allen stated how the cultural and language training he received benefited him during the scenarios.

“The cultural and language training I received was really helpful, because it helped me communicate with the role players in the scenarios,” said Allen. “We’ve learned a little about the Iraqi culture. The instructors themselves, who are from Iraq, taught us about how they grew up and things we shouldn’t do like showing the bottoms of your feet or extending the left hand for a handshake because it’s disrespectful to their culture.”

In January 2006, the Navy created NECC, bringing Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Naval Coastal Warfare, Riverine forces, Combat Camera Atlantic, the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support functions and the Seabees under one umbrella. NECC integrates all warfighting requirements for expeditionary combat and combat support elements. This transformation allows for standardized training, manning and equipping of Sailors who will participate in the maritime security operations and the Global War on Terrorism as part of the joint force.