1st Battalion 22nd Infantry News Articles Feb 2012

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

News Articles February 2012

From left, Capt. Paul Auchincloss, physician assistant, reviews a patient's file with Pfc. Erik Hughes, medic, both assigned
to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
Feb. 3, 2012, at the Wounded Warrior Medical Clinic on Fort Carson, Colo. Auchincloss, a native of Zimbabwe, South Africa, grew up
as a young man with the dream of providing medical treatment to those in need. Since joining the Army in 1997, Auchincloss became
a commissioned officer, serving as a physician assistant, taking care of injured soldiers.

Certain individuals provide medical treatment to the sick and injured on a daily basis. These heroes use their special skills
to save people's lives. This was the dream of one little boy growing up in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe and South Africa,
who eventually made his way to "Raider" Brigade to take care of Soldiers.

Capt. Paul Auchincloss, physician assistant, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion,
22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, grew up knowing his dream was to become
a health care provider.

Auchincloss said he moved around a lot growing up, eventually settling in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where he graduated
high school in 1992. After graduating and not being eligible for medical school, he decided to pursue a career in aviation,
while continuing to seek medical training. A combination of scholastic achievements and changing ethnic climate posed
a considerable challenge.

As a result, Auchincloss said he went into aviation schooling, where he graduated at the top of his class, becoming one
of Zimbabwe's youngest commercial pilots at the age of 19, and being named pilot of the year and instructor pilot of the year
by the Mashonaland Flying Club in Zimbabwe in 1993 and 1994 respectively.

Auchincloss said he flew hunters and tourists in and out of neighboring countries until he moved to the United States in 1995.
While living in America, Auchincloss decided to once again pursue his dream of becoming a doctor, thanks to the persistent
nudging and prodding provided by his wife, who also had many similar goals and aspirations.

"I began to take Emergency Medical Technician and Shock Trauma Technician classes when I lived in Harrisonburg, Va.,
14 days after entering the United States — thanks to the hard work and preparation of my devoted spouse," said Auchincloss.
"I also specialized in Heavy Vehicle Extrication, Vertical Rope Rescue and Cave Rescue."

The devoted medic received a commendation for lifesaving excellence and was named rookie EMT of the year in 1996
by the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad.

In 1997, Auchincloss enlisted in the Army, with the goal of earning money for college and supporting his Family.
Auchincloss said he enlisted as a field artilleryman and climbed through the ranks to sergeant first class, after a brief change
in military occupational skill to that of intelligence analyst. From there, he continued his education in medical studies in 2005,
where he enrolled into college at the Virginia Commonwealth University and later transferred
to the University of Virginia School of Nursing.

Just prior to degree completion, he was picked up by the Army's Interservice Physician Assistant Program, through which
he was commissioned a U.S. Army officer and became a physician assistant.

"The Noncommissioned Officer Corps is the 'Backbone of the Army,'" said Auchincloss. "I believe that it is this insight
and experience that makes me a better leader and officer as it provides a different perspective, which is useful in the medical community."

"I watched many of Auchincloss' lectures to groups of medics and corpsmen; his mastery in the subject of medicine,
and ability to communicate it in an entertaining style, reflected his passion of the subject," said Lt. Cmdr. Ralph Leonard,
staff physician, assigned to U.S. Navy Hospital at Camp Lejeune, N.C. "But actually watching him with patients showed
how much he truly cared about Soldiers."

During Raider Brigade's 2010 deployment to Afghanistan, Auchincloss worked hard to take care of Soldiers.
"His remarkable dedication to patient care was manifested in several ways at our forward operating base," said Leonard.
"I saw him pull all-nighters several times when patients were critically ill; when we weren't busy with direct patient care,
he used that time for building a very functional battalion aid station."

Even when times got tough, Auchincloss pushed on and continued to treat and work with Soldiers.
"While working with Auchincloss, there was a (Soldier) who was killed by an improvised explosive device,"
said Leonard. "He went to the combat outpost where that Soldier was stationed ... participated in crisis intervention counseling,
and supported the Soldiers affected by the death."

In his service to his nation, Auchincloss helped countless Soldiers before and after his deployment with Raider Brigade.
It is because of his love of working with Soldiers that he plans to continue to serve in the Army and keep treating Soldiers, he said.
"Becoming a physician assistant is an honor. I've been an enlisted Soldier, and now, I get to take care of those Soldiers,"
said Auchincloss. "I've got a soft spot for them; they do wonderful things for this country, so being a physician assistant
is one of the best things that I can ask for."

**********************

Four Soldiers filled the M1A2 Abrams Tank Simulator to capacity. Screens and buttons illuminated the armor crewmen
as they donned their Army combat helmets and checked their radios. Settled into their positions, the team worked together
to eliminate simulated enemies appearing on the screens.

"Regular" Soldiers assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
conducted simulation training at the Close Combat Tactical Trainer building on Fort Carson Feb. 21-23.

The Company C Soldiers conducted the simulations for gunnery and tank qualification without burning resources
used during live-fire training, said 1st Lt. Richard Groat, Company C executive officer.

"Digital training is crucial, because a live-fire would be like going out to shoot a rifle with each bullet costing thousands of dollars,"
Groat said. "This way, Soldiers are given the chance to excel with their weapons without worrying about ammunition shortages."

During the simulation, Soldiers used communication and teamwork to successfully eliminate enemies and progress through the training.
"Working as a team, communicating and talking loud enough so our other teammates could hear us was essential to complete
the simulation training," said Pvt. Michael Alien, armor crewman. "This simulation required me to use pretty much every skill
I've learned since basic training."

While the simulation lacked the intensity of a live-fire exercise, the crewmembers used the more relaxed atmosphere to
gain confidence in their own skills and their comrades, said Pvt. Neil Tickle, armor crewman.

"Another bonus of this training is that we are getting more familiar with our crew and how they operate, so we can
run more smoothly," said Tickle.

The simulation seems like a video game, but the operations are the same as a real tank, said Alien.
"The whole crew gets a feel of what it's like to maneuver, shoot and fight with the tank," said Groat. "I think the Soldiers
really like this training because it's fun and what they are here to do."

Alien said his team members gained a better understanding of how they would work together to perform their battle drills
during their upcoming live-fire exercise and during real-world operations.

By the end of the event, each crew successfully navigated the virtual world and eliminated its enemies.
"Working together is the only way a crew can operate," said Tickle. "The better the crew can read each other,
the more likely their mission will be a success."

After completing their simulation training, the Regulars will begin range qualification to certify their tank crews.
"In the end, we are hoping to gain well-trained, lethal troops — ones that are proficient with their individual warrior skills,
as well as their crew tasks," said Groat.

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