Reserve Soldiers provide medical support during Walking Shield '15

 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers recently gave back to an American community in need, while gaining perspective on a culture that precedes the U.S. military.

This small contingent of 22 medical professionals conducted Innovative Readiness Training, or IRT, here, July 16-30, 2015, augmenting local hospital and clinics.

"Our mission here is to provide medical support to the [American Indians] here on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, as well as the Hayes and Lodge Pole community," said Lt. Col. Greg Venvertloh, commander, 7243rd Installation Medical Support Unit, Las Vegas.

The Soldiers provided a full array of medical services to include ambulatory, basic medical triage, physicals, full dental services, veterinary support, as well as optometry provided by an active duty Army unit.

"The basic benefit is the augmentation role. Our Soldiers get the opportunity to actually perform their medical duties," Venvertloh said.

"The secondary role is it gets the Army Reserve out into the community, and puts a different face on the Army as having a general role," Venvertloh said. "Individuals get to see exactly what the Army Reserve is all about, our different jobs in the reserve, and that we are citizens just like everyone else."

http://www.army.mil/article/153256/Reserve_Soldiers_provide_medical_support_during_Walking_Shield__15/