US Army: 2007-05-18 ForceProtectionTraining release

8/14/2019 US Army: 2007-05-18 ForceProtectionTraining release

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SPC SHANE ESCHENBURG

Staff Sgt. Andre Ross demonstratesproper personnel search techniques onSgt. Marvin Hicks during anti-terrorism/force protection certificationtraining on Patton Barracks inHeidelberg, Germany. Both Soldiersare assigned to the V Corps personneldirectorate.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 18, 2007

TRAINING CERTIFIES V CORPS SOLDIERS IN SKILLS

TO SAFEGUARD ARMY PEOPLE AND FACILI TIES

By Spc. Shane Eschenburg

V Corps Public Affairs Office

HEIDELBERG, Germany -- The next time a guard holds up the line while you’re

trying to enter a military installation, just remember it takes a lot of training and a

little time to keep you safe -- and isn’t your safety worth the wait?

Those guards are primarily contracted civilian security

experts, but Soldiers also get training that enables

them to augment the guard system should the need

arise.

To be ready to do their part, more than 90 Soldiers

from the V Corps Special Troops Battalion recently

completed anti-terrorism/force protection training

here.

The group was the second iteration of STB troops to

complete the training in as many weeks. The battalion

certifies a large number of its Soldiers in AT/FP



procedures each year to prepare them mentally and physically to secure and safeguard

installations here should security officials detect a threat to Americans or U.S.

installations that would cause the force protection condition, or FPCON, level to

increase.

U.S. European Command designates the “baseline” FPCON level for forces in Europe,

explained Bob Balcerzak, an antiterrorism security specialist for U.S. Army Europe.

The level is defined by phonetic letters Alpha (the lowest threat level) through Delta

(the highest threat level).

The baseline level in the EUCOM footprint is normally Bravo, Balcerzak said, but local

commanders have the authority to increase it at a moment’s notice if security experts

feel there is an increased threat. That’s when Soldiers are called upon to augment the

contracted guard force.

Balcerzak compared the way the threat level operates to a turtle protecting itself in its

shell.

If the FPCON level increases, the turtle pulls deeper into its shell. The turtle at FPCON

Bravo is going about its business, but acutely aware of its surroundings and ready to

react immediately to any perceived threat, he said. If the threat increases to FPCON

Charlie or Delta, the turtle may withdraw completely inside its shell to protect itself.

USAREUR has proof that it does force protection well. The command was recently

honored for having the Army’s best installation protection programs.



In a letter congratulating USAREUR, Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. James A.

Lovelace wrote to USAREUR Commander Gen. David D. McKiernan: “USAREUR is the

Army’s best at protecting its installations and information. You clearly set a high

standard of excellence through your program’s outstanding performance.”

To earn that honor, USAREUR was scrutinized on its success in a wide array of

programs and activities, including antiterrorism; information operations and

assurance; intelligence; weapons of mass destruction; physical security; law

enforcement; military working dogs, and resource management.

For their part in USAREUR efforts, the V Corps Soldiers were trained in two phases:

classroom instruction taught by a team of AT/FP instructors, and hands-on rehearsal

and testing.

The instruction phase covered chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive

scenarios; the FPCON levels; guard responsibilities; operating installation security

access control points; searching people and vehicles, and verifying access

authorizations and identification documents.

The classroom training also included special emphasis on weapons handling

procedures; rules for the use of force; dealing with emergency vehicles accessing an

installation; special instructions on high-risk personnel, and contacting military police

for additional support when needed.

The course’s instructors repeatedly underlined three points: that terrorists can create

explosives from easily obtained everyday items; that everyone in the military



community is equal when it comes to installation access and searches, and that force

protection requires constant alertness.

Instructor Sgt. 1st Class Chris Foley, NCO-in-charge of the V Corps training division,

related an incident at a post in the U.S. that illustrated the fact that no one is immune

from base access procedures.

Foley said a private was on duty at the post entrance when a woman drove up in her

car and told the private on duty that her vehicle didn’t need to be searched. When the

Soldier attempted to identify the woman and conduct a search, she became irate. At

that point, Foley says, he went to investigate. While the woman was loudly insisting

that her husband’s rank negated the guards’ right to search her vehicle, the husband -

- a senior leader on the installation -- arrived on the scene. The private was shaking

in his boots, Foley recalled, as the officer discussed the situation with his wife. But a

moment later, the Soldier’s fear turned to relief when he heard the officer tell her,

“Don’t ever do that again. These Soldiers have a job to do.” Instead of doling out a

reprimand, Foley says, the officer presented the private with an on-the-spot award.

Pfc. Michael Borrelli, STB information management officer, took part in the training,

and said the classroom instruction was a good refresher that was more in-depth than

he expected.

“I feel more confident for the people around me. And this training is definitely needed

for the Soldiers, especially the redeployed Soldiers from Operation Iraqi Freedom,” the

private said.



SPC SHANE ESCHENBURG

Soldiers watch Sgt. 1st Class Chris Foley, NCO-in-charge of the V Corps training division (center), as he describes vehiclesearch techniques during the second of two iterations of anti-terrorism/force protection certification training conducted

recently by the corps’ Special Troops Battalion on PattonBarracks in Heidelberg, Germany.

STB Soldiers donned their full battle gear for the second phase of their AT/FP

instruction -- hands-on training that gave them the opportunity to get some applied

practice and rehearse what they learned during real-world scenarios.

Weapons handling procedures were first on the list of tasks. Senior NCOs graded each

Soldier’s skill and knowledge with a thorough test of procedures and checks. Safety is

repeatedly stressed during the weapons training, said instructor Sgt. Delbert (Jay)

McCool, STB schools and training NCO, to ensure the students can handle their

weapons correctly and confidently, but without danger of accidents or injuries.

After McCool’s class, the Soldiers marched to a hands-on personnel search lesson,

during which the group learned general access point protocol; how to properly search

people for weapons or other contraband, and how to request security assistance when

needed.

The hands-on portion of the training

finished up with a class in vehicle search

techniques. Foley donated the use of

his BMW sedan for the session, and

trainees scrutinized every screw, part

and panel as they became familiar with

the places an explosive device or

weapon could be placed or concealed.

As they searched, the instructors shared

their experience and know-how to teach the Soldiers how to recognize tell-tale signs

that something may be out of place and mobilize the guard force to deal with the

situation if need.



Throughout the lesson instructors emphasized that it is crucial that force protection

personnel never allow themselves to become complacent, and never take anything for

granted.

The “final exam” of the training came in the form of a test that challenged the students

to prove their skill in all facets of the day’s instruction.

The end result was more than 90 additional guard force certified Soldiers who had a

greater appreciation of how force protection keeps the community safe and the skill

and knowledge to do their part in that effort when duty calls.

Documents

US Army: 2007-05-18 ForceProtectionTraining release