LESSON 4
Section I. DETERMINE TRAINING NEEDS
4-1.
INTRODUCTION
Perhaps the most important task you will have as a Medical NCO is to train
soldiers in medical skills. No matter who has the top responsibility for training within
your unit, your medical expertise will be required frequently. To be most effective,
training should be carefully planned, skillfully executed, and then fully evaluated. The
foremost objective of all training is to develop a skilled soldier who can perform his job
well under both peacetime and wartime situations. The Combat Medical Specialist who
is poorly trained and unable to perform well is far worse than an untrained soldier. He is
a menace to the men in his unit. Errors made by the Combat Medical Specialist in the
field can cost life and limb.
4-2.
REASONS FOR TRAINING
Training should be planned only when a need has been established. If soldiers
are all performing a task within prescribed standards, there is no need for additional
training. Similarly, if the only reason for unacceptable performance of a task is lack of
time or supplies and equipment, training would not remedy the situation. There might
be a number of reasons why training should be given. These include poor soldier
performance, changed unit or individual requirements, recent soldier assignment to the
unit, or lack of motivation. Any or all of these factors could require initial or refresher
training.
4-3.
POOR SOLDIER PERFORMANCE
Inadequate skill performance may be displayed by individuals or by all soldiers
performing similar duties.
a. Verify Poor Performance. Reports of poor performance should be verified
by direct observation. In addition, you should check the evaluation reports. Check the
soldier's performance records during his participation in ARTEPs and FTXs. Look at his
last SDT record. Any documentary evidence available will help you to determine
whether the lack of skill is recent or of long standing duration.
b. Cause of Poor Performance. These may also give you clues as to the kind
of training needed. Did the soldier forget the skill because it was not used for a long
period, or has he never learned the skill? Was he ever told that his skill was
inadequate? If so, what steps were taken to improve his poor performance? If the drop
in performance was recent, check for personal problems. A problem at home can have
a serious impact on a medic's job performance.
MD0560
4-2