War in Iraq
... packs and negotiating obstacle courses.” B. Marksmanship training- one of the main focuses of the 82nd Airborne Division. According to army.com, once a month every paratrooper must qualify with their individual weapon. This consistent shooting ensures that at any time, these soldiers will be able to pick up their weapon and place multiple well-aimed shots into the kill-zone of their enemies. C. The 82nd Airborne Division believes that its soldiers proficiency in medical tasks is directly proportional to the units success in combat. According to Field Manual SM 7-8 every week soldiers are trained, tested and then retrained on a variety of combat related medical tasks. These tasks include, treating head wounds, sucking chest wounds, cold weather related injuries, hot weather related injuries, and dressing bullet wounds. III.The 82nd Airborne Division Constantly maintains a battalion sized unit, 1000+ men, ready to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hrs. A. One third of the division stands ready to begin deploying in this 18hr time frame. This third is then divided into three smaller groups. The first group is ready to leave 18hrs from the time the division gets the word that its paratroopers are needed. The second group leaves -72 hrs, and the third group -within the first week. B. The second third of the division stands ready to assist the first in deploying. According to the 82nd Airborne Advanced Standard Operating Procedures all of its equipment: including vehicles, artillery guns, and general supplies like food and water, must be loaded onto airplanes. A large majority of this gear must be rigged with parachutes in preparation to be dropped from the planes. C. The last third-split into two groups. One group is conducting intensive training in the woods at Ft. Bragg. The other is given a “leave” time to go home and visit their families and friends and also catch up on some well deserved rest and relaxation time. IV. The 82nd Airborne Division currently has several units from its ranks deployed throughout the world protecting freedom. A...