Fort Knox, Ky. – In preparation for Cadet Summer Training (CST) 2021, U.S. Army Medics and Soldiers from the 3rd Cavalry Regiment (3CR), Medical Troop, are hard at work establishing a field hospital to aid this summer’s training.
Safety is a high priority for Cadets; however, the environment and physical demands of their training does come with risk for injuries. Historically some examples of potential injuries are heat exhaustion, physical exhaustion, sprains, and fractures. In addition, there are environmental hazards such as insects, plants, and reptiles.
1st Sgt. Susana Polynice, 3CR Medical Troop, said her Soldiers are well trained to aid Cadets after studying CST casualty trends and rehearsing treatment scenarios with personnel in all levels of the operation.
“We rehearse all the time,” Polynice said. “I always tell my Soldiers that repetition builds proficiency… Even though we have separate crews, evacuation and treatment crews, they are fluid.”
The Medics and Soldiers from 3CR will be operating a Role 2 Field Hospital located at Logistic Support Area Pickett (LSA Pickett). Here they will be able to provide a wide range of treatments including the processing of essential lab tests and conducting X-ray examinations. In addition, the site has the ability to hold up to 20 patients for extended medical care, and helicopter evacuation for critical patients.
2nd Lt. Miranda Furtado, 3CR Medical Troop, oversees the evacuation platoon. The platoon operates nine Field Litter Ambulances (FLAs) for transporting patients from anywhere in the field.
“We are going to have crews at high-risk events and a 24/7 crew at the Role 2,” Furtado said. “Our job is mostly to get casualties here if they need to be, as well if the Role 2 needs to evacuate to the landing zone for a helicopter coming in.”
On May 22, Col. Brent Clemmer, CST 2021 Commandant, visited the LSA Pickett Role 2 Field Hospital to review the operation prior to the start of CST the following day. After a full walkthrough of the site and a treatment demonstration for a heat casualty, Clemmer certified the Role 2 Field Hospital for service.
1st Lt. Kevin Diamond, 3CR Medical Troop, explained what this certification meant for the troop and that they are ready to treat patients whenever the time comes.
“It was definitely rewarding,” Diamond said. “My Medics put a lot of emphasis on practicing and getting their exercises down. Knowing that we are fully operational now and that we got the blessing from the commandant, I am really excited.”
There will be around a total of 14,000 Cadets and Cadre this summer at Fort Knox. LSA Pickett Role 2 Field Hospital and its Medics will standby to treat anyone in need of medical care during CST 2021.
