MDDF 10th Medical Regiment Completes Medical Initial Entry Training Program

By 2LT (MDDF) Alessia Timothy
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
14 July 2014

On 13 July 2014, members of the 10th Medical Regiment from the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) completed the sixth installment of the Initial Entry Training (IET) program at the historic Pikesville Military Reservation (PMR) in Pikesville, Maryland. This session was a specially designed edition tailored for health professionals and medical personnel in the Defense Force. Although generally geared towards health professionals, personnel from other units were invited to attend. Eight out of twenty graduates were non-medical personnel. The training curriculum covered various modules including MDDF history, medical unit leadership development, legal briefs, disaster preparedness, emergency management, drill and ceremony formations and military customs and courtesies.

On the first day of training, Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the Commanding General of the MDDF, while briefing trainees during a leadership development course, noted the importance that “servant leadership is the strongest level of leadership,” they could provide as future leaders. Later in the course, during the leadership communication exercise all of the students were able to successfully complete their assigned missions using noted key aspects of servant leadership. Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Stanley Minken, the commanding officer of the 10th Medical Regiment who also attended the training highlighted the teams’ successful results and expressed his “pride and gratitude,” to his fellow servicemen and women.

As a mandatory part of IET program, drill and ceremony (D&C) training was completed in a hot, sweaty, muggy, 90 plus degree weather environment without any incidents. In fact during the D&C formations, Capt. (MDDF) Salvatore Simonetta, the IET superintendent, praised his squads readiness and sharp marching skills. He also proudly noted that this was the, “first squad in a long time to complete all of the commands on the first try.”

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov.