Memo describes training for troops, civilians making contact with 'exposed remains'
WASHINGTON – A Department of Defense memo confirms DoD personnel – which could include civilians and/or troops – will have direct contact with “exposed remains” of Ebola victims.
While the DoD has issued new guidance on how military personnel and
civilians will undergo pre- and post-deployment training while in the
Ebola-affected areas of West Africa, buried in the 19-page memorandum in
an attachment is an indication that the personnel will have direct
exposure to the affected population.
The statement is in a memorandum from Jessica L. Write,
undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. Broken down into
three levels, Level II training will be for personnel who “interact with
the local populace,” and Level III training for personnel “assigned to
supporting medical units or expected to handle exposed remains.”
The memo does not indicate whether both DoD civilians and
troops will be required to complete Levels II and III of training. If
military members must complete the training, it appears to be contrary
to previous statements from DoD that the 4,000 deployed U.S. troops will
not be exposed to Ebola patients but will undertake only a “supportive
role.”
For such exposure, there is a more intense level of training for U.S.
military and civilian personnel than the minimally required training
for all deployed service members.
The following are screenshots of Level II and Level III training requirements as outlined in the memo:
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