Bring on the HEAT!

Once again, I'm impressed with the training! Tonight about a third of our company went to Highly Mobile Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) Egress Assistance Trainer (HEAT) training. It's to prepare us for potential roll-overs in our vehicles. Classroom instruction was first and then we bused to a site for a hands-on experience. Four of us sat in a HMMWV that had no wheels and was mounted like a chicken being roasted on a rotisserie. We had Soldiers in each seat with their seat belts on and the gunner sitting in the turret. The instructors explained the importance of exiting the vehicle and how to help your teammates out in the event of a roll-over. The program began by turning the vehicle to a 25 degree angle and then a 30 degree angle. This was to demonstrate the degree vehicles could potentially roll-over. Shortly after the entire thing went upside down as we yelled, "Rollover, Rollover, Rollover"! Then we had to get out, hanging upside down. After we exited, we loaded the vehicle again and spun around with the vehicle ending up positioned on its side. I had an easier time upside down. I pray I never experience that when driving.


The HEAT Trainer


Soldiers crawling out the gunner's turret after being flipped around 1 and 1/2 times.


The 3 Amigos and Sergeant First Class Carmichael!