'The easiest day was yesterday': Combat Readiness School under way at Glenwood

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Air Force Base Public Affairs
In the lush green fields of Glenwood Training Area, just north of Tinker Air Force Base, 40 Airmen learn combat skills for upcoming deployments and operations.
   The Combat Readiness School, hosted by the 3rd Combat Communications Group, is three weeks of long, physically and mentally strenuous days, which began Aug. 6. Held in the most realistic conditions possible, officials often use the motto, "The easiest day was yesterday," to describe the course.
   "We teach everything based on a bare-base concept, which is getting there and there is nothing - no power, no tent, nowhere to live, no plumbing," said Master Sgt. Brian Kaut, CRS commandant. "We test their limits (and) it's as rigorous training we can achieve in the time frame that we got."
   More than 300 Air National Guard, Reserve and active duty Airmen attend the course annually.
   "It's primarily geared up for combat communicators that are in harm's way," said Master Sgt. Larry Shenold, CRS chief of Academics. "We give them the skills necessary to ensure their survival and to ensure they are to able to carry on their mission in the view of the threats they will encounter downrange in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places throughout the world."
   During the training, Airmen are taught courses such as the use of force, tactical movements, hazardous wildlife and field hygiene. After two weeks of classes, demonstrations and battle drills, the Airmen test their skills during a field training exercise.
   "They'll definitely be sleep deprived, hungry and we'll expect to see them make decisions and test their cognitive function under all those stressors," Sgt. Kaut said.
   "I have heard the class is a living hell," said Airman Don Hough of the 31st Combat Communications Squadron. Airman Hough is required to take the course as a new member in the 3rd Herd. He arrived at Tinker, his first installation, in May.
   After the first physical training session, Airman Hough said it wasn't as difficult as he expected, but said he was sure there was more PT to come.
   1st Lt. Chris Wiley of the 50th Space Communications Squadron at Shriever Air Force Base, Colo., said he was sure there'd be tough days, especially during the last week's field training exercise. Lt. Wiley said he is taking the course to prepare for an upcoming 365-day temporary duty assignment to Baghdad, Iraq, in September.
   Airmen in the Aug. 6 course primarily arrived from Tinker, Schriever AFB, and Air National Guard units in Missouri, North Carolina and Oklahoma.
   Classes are held every six weeks. During the first two weeks of class, CRS students may leave Glenwood in the evenings and on weekends. Starting in December, the course will undergo a significant change in operations and will run for 15 days straight.
   Because the course is so intense and time consuming, many attend as a TDY, Sgt. Shenold said.
   Master Sgt. Richard Goebel, noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the 3rd Herd's Group Engineering Standards and Evaluations Flight, who recently completed the course, said the best advice he can give is to have a positive attitude.
   "If you go in with a proper attitude, not only will you learn some important skills that can save your life in a deployed environment, but you will also enjoy the course a lot more," he said.