Page 15 - QARANC Vol 14 No 12 2016

THE GAZETTE QARANC 13
Defence School of Health Education (DHSE)
Exercise Purple Warrior
QARANC student nurses from DHSE deployed on Ex Purple Warrior in Oct 15 alongside their RAF and NAVY colleagues. The exercise took place at the Army Medical Services Training Center (AMSTC) in Strensall, York. Ex Purple Warrior was a healthcare related exercise incorporating many healthcare professionals including students from the Operational Department, Radiography, Biomedical Sciences and Nursing fields. The primary aim of the exercise was to introduce and refresh DHSE students with medical, leadership and basic core military skills. The exercise focused on a contingent environment and contemporary operations that we could potentially be operating in.
On arrival at Queen Elizabeth Barracks (QEB), trainees were briefed and weapons were issued. Students were broken down into 6 sections, each with a nominated section commander. Trainees received formal orders of the exercise by Major Carter QARANC and Sergeant Chadbourne from the Mercian regiment who provided us with the infantry element. After the completion of orders the students prepared their personal kit and equipment to deploy onto the training area the next day.
On day two of the exercise the trainees took part in various activities both in the field and in the Role 2 Light Manoeuvre Medical Treatment Facility (LM MTF).
Amongst the field activities was a scenario in which a local woman brought a baby to the camp to seek treatment, a role that the Department Sergeant Major WO2 Race QARANC performed. Each section led by the section commander was expected to tend to the woman putting in place security protocols, as well as showing compassion to the woman and the baby. This involved searching both mother and child regardless of mothers’ wailings and temperament. Sections were scored and briefed on their performance thereafter. Additional field craft lessons were taught included securing a poncho, morning routine and preparing rations, these lessons were new to some of the Tri-Service personnel.
In the Role 2 Light Manoeuvre the trainees were split down
in order to make the situation more realistic for treatment. Under supervision the trainees worked as a team tending to the patients as they would in a real life field hospital. This incorporated team cohesion, enabling students to work under pressure while demonstrating their medical skills.
Following this, the trainees patrolled to the harbor area. There they revisited a lesson in ‘why things are seen’ and ‘the importance of minimizing noise in the harbor area.’ The trainees commenced stag duties and retired for the night.
On the third and final day of the exercise the trainees left the harbor area and headed back to the training centre for military skills training and team building exercises. In a round robin style trainees filtered through different stations, which included triaging of casualties, rifle stripping and assembly, assessing a clinical setting for error, stretcher assembly and field observations. This was followed by some good old battle PT conducted by SSgt Griffiths Army PTI; although trainees’ were ‘hanging’ it was a great team building exercise.
Thereafter DHSE staff, AMSTC staff, trainees and all the personnel that took part in the exercise gathered for a photo. To conclude the event DHSE trainees were recognized for their effort during the exercise and awards were given to various personnel. The best section went to 4-section lead by Corporal Ellen McCurdy QARANC.
Undeterred by the exercise being relatively short, the information gained by the trainees was of direct relevance to their future careers within the armed forces. The emphasis on team building, discipline and junior leadership was also appropriate to the fundamental building blocks of military ethos across the tri-service.
On behalf of all students within DHSE who attended Ex
Purple Warrior, it is a privilege to thank the DHSE training
staff for their hard work in raising this opportunity, the staff
at Queen Elizabeth Barracks and AMSTC for the use of their
facilities furthermore we extend this gratitude to the Mercian
Regiment as well as DMS (W) for the roles they played to
Ex PURPLE WARRIOR
and distributed into various training areas relevant to their make Ex Purple Warrior a success.
roles. This consisted of an Emergency DepaArtrmeynMt (eEdDic),alaSnervices Training Centre
Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU), a theatre, a general ward and Cpl H Bees DHSE & Pte F Danga DHSE 2 – 4 October 2015
a laboratory. Simulated casualties from DMS (W) were used