SSG Welles won the "Pin Cushion" award since he had to be "sticked" three times before a successful "saline block" could be established. CPT Robles won the "Red Badge of Courage" award for losing the most blood during a "saline block" procedure. (He still hasn't washed the blood stains from his trousers). CPT Mai won the "Michael Jackson's Glove" award for it taking him six attempts before successfully putting on his surgical gloves.
Also, during this week, the team formally presented its Military Decision Making Process brief on the Team's name. The team recommended Team Griffin. So now we are officially "Team Griffin". The next MDMP decision will be on the Team's coin.
After the Combat Lifesaver's Course completed, the instructors asked me to fill out a critique form. My critique of this course is similar to our critique of the other courses being taught here at Camp Funston.
The one thing we have decided to do, is to develop a honest critique of this course to assist the Army in developing a first class "Military Advisor Training" course. Two re-occuring themes are emerging:
1. The military advisor course should be set up very similar to the old CAS3 course. The Army should put some serious consideration into making a Military Advisor an additional skill identifier. Once established, a certain percentage of CSL positions should have Military Advisor as an additional Skill Identifier.
2. The MiTT training here at Camp Funston is under-resourced in manning, facilities, and equipment. For example, the dining facility has run out of certain types of food (wheat bread, Tuna fish, cereals), and the ratio of cooks to soldiers being served is significantly higher than on the main post. The instructor to student ratio of the combat lifesaver has gone from 1 instructor per 6 students to 1 instructor to 18 students.
