Cablegate: Keeping Our People Safe: Instituting Physical Assessment

VZCZCXRO1327
RR RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL
DE RUEHBUL #0537 0421217
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 111217Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5547
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS KABUL 000537

DEPARTMENT FOR D, M, SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A,
STATE PASS TO AID FOR ASIA/SCAA
USFOR-A FOR POLAD

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: APER AMGT AMED AFSI AF
SUBJECT: KEEPING OUR PEOPLE SAFE: INSTITUTING PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
DRILLS FOR SERVICE IN AFGHANISTAN

1. Service in Afghanistan is both physically and mentally
challenging. This is particularly true of service in the field - at
Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs), District Support Teams
(DSTs) and at the numerous entities throughout Afghanistan where
civilian personnel are co-located with military elements. Rough
field conditions necessitate a minimum level of physical fitness for
candidates to be able to perform safely and effectively. Failure to
attain this minimum level can, in the worst case scenario, mean the
difference between life and death and endanger not only the
employee, but the troops and civilians serving with the employee,
who rightly feel a sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of the
entire team. To ensure that employees have the requisite level of
fitness to serve safely and effectively in Afghanistan, post
strongly urges instituting a mandatory physical assessment test to
all USG recruits for service outside of Kabul. The test could be
administered as part of the mandatory training class RS510,
conducted at Camp Atterbury. Any candidate who fails the test would
not be cleared for service outside of Kabul. Additionally, post
recommends including a paragraph highlighting the physical demands
of service in Afghanistan as part of the Afghanistan Support Office
(ASO) recruitment process. See suggested language in para 3.

2. The proposed test would mimic real-life conditions in the field.
We propose that at the very least it include the following drills:

--The Helicopter Dash and Hop Aboard: In full body armor,
candidates will dash 25 meters to board a Blackhawk helicopter
staged for take-off. Candidates will be given specific instructions
by ground crew and will be expected to follow them safely and
expeditiously to board and secure themselves for a rapid takeoff. A
reasonable time limit will be set.

--The Jump-in/Jump-out Humvee/MRAP Drill: In full body armor,
candidates will run 25 meters, jump into a Humvee or MRAP, strap
themselves in and prepare to depart. Then upon instruction, they
will quickly jump out of the vehicle and run 25 meters back to the
start point. A reasonable time limit will be set.

--The "We've Got To Go NOW" Drill: Candidates are placed in a
scenario where they are attending a meeting with their armor taken
off. Upon receiving a signal, they must put the armor on as quickly
as possible and follow the security force outside to a waiting
vehicle. A reasonable time limit will be set.

3. Suggested language to be included in the field position job
descriptions: Working at a field location in Afghanistan requires
frequent engagement in strenuous physical activities in various
types of terrain in demanding environments, side by side with
military counterparts. Duties involve physical exertion, such as
long periods of standing, walking over rough, uneven or rocky
surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching,
reaching or similar activities while wearing Individual Body Armor
(IBA) and a Kevlar Helmet. It may also be necessary from time to
time to carry a backpack with 20 or more pounds of food, water and
personal equipment. This position requires the ability to run
short distances while wearing body armor and a Kevlar helmet and the
ability to climb in and out of military vehicles such as the Humvee,
MRAP and/or military aircraft without assistance. This position may
also require walking up and down steep terrain, walking through
ravines and dry creek beds, and jumping across gullies, irrigation
trenches and furrows, all while wearing Body Armor and a Kevlar
Helmet.

EIKENBERRY

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