Corporal George Kenkishuili, (R) a machine-gunner from the Dusheti region of the former Soviet state administers an intravenous flow to Corporal Temur Lazashuili, a combat squad leader from the city of Khasuri, while (c enter) Sgt. Gery Pollock, of Savannah, of Company D., 1st Bn. 121st Infantry Regiment watches intently.  It was a final practical and actual exercise before certification.

Georgia Guard trains lifesavers in 'Georgia'

Sgt.  Tracy J. Smith
48th IBCT (L) PAO

VAZIANI MILITARY BASE, Tblisi, Republic of Georgia , July 19, 2008 -- In the Georgia Army National Guard training schedules are tight.  The annual two-week horse-blanket, an age-old infantry term used for the unit’s training schedule, turns into the proverbial coat-of-many-colors as the required training elements are annotated and punctuated in vivid and pronounced time sequences.  There is no question what has to be done when critical lifesaving certifications are on the schedule in preparation for deployment. 

“We have certified 110 Soldiers through the crucial paces of combat life saver training in four days,” Sergeant Gery Pollack, a combat medic with 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team said.  His pride is unmistakable as he visually scans his un-air-conditioned classroom.

Recognizing the significance of this achievement takes a more impressive posture when you realize the instructors could not comprehensively communicate with the students. 

“At first it was an issue with that many Georgian Soldiers,” Pollack recalls.  “It was a little overwhelming.”

His smirk only punctuates the determination he and the other 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (L) Volunteers have in giving the Republic of Georgia Warriors the best possible training. 

Operation Immediate Response ’08 is an inter-operability multi-nation training opportunity with our European partners.  The three week training schedule in the former Russian state it was clear they were leading by the tenants of the Soldiers Creed; by example and going beyond the task required check-it-off-the-list stage.

Corporal George Kenkishuili, a machine-gunner from the Dusheti region appreciates the serious tone and approach given his training.  It was his first time welding a needle to learn to save a life..

"I was very nervous doing this for the first time," he related through the group’s interpreter, "during battle if I need to do any of the procedures I have learned today I will be able to help save a Soldier's life.  I will be prepared to do it not only in the military but in my civilian life as well."

Spoken like a true Citizen-Soldier.