Innovative Readiness Training

What is Innovative Readiness Training, other than the best real-world hands-on deployment training available in the United States? Find out by watching our short two minute “Introduction to IRT” video now! #IRTsWin https://lnkd.in/d56u-sX

From June 8 to 22, 2024, the United States Army Reserve partnered with the Indian Health Service (IHS) to provide a no-cost health clinic as part of an Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) support activity in Poplar, Montana. The initiative addressed the healthcare needs of a historically underserved region, home to the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes, aiming to mitigate healthcare disparities and socioeconomic challenges affecting the community’s well-being. Over the course of 10 days, 49 medical personnel delivered free, high-quality care, treating 347 patients, performing 751 procedures, and distributing 164 pairs of eyeglasses. The estimated fair market value of these services was $150,000. One transformative moment involved a legally blind resident who had not updated their eyeglasses since 2008. After receiving a new pair crafted by the mission’s optometrist, the individual expressed deep gratitude. For this individual, the glasses meant more than improved sight—they represented renewed hope. As they tried on the glasses, their tears of gratitude underscored the mission’s broader impact, illustrating how such efforts restored health and resilience within the community. Support extended beyond clinical care. The 396th Field Hospital’s culinary team provided nutritious meals for the service members. Using an industrial kitchen and locally sourced fresh produce, the team contributed to the morale and well-being of the mission staff. The Fort Peck IRT mission demonstrated the profound impact of collaborative healthcare initiatives. By partnering with IHS, the Army Reserve delivered essential medical services and fostered resilience and meaningful connections within the Fort Peck community, honoring its unique cultural heritage while addressing critical healthcare needs. IRT civil-military partnerships continue to strengthen bonds between the military and American communities, enhance unit readiness, and deliver vital health services to local communities. To learn more, visit irt.defense.gov. #IRT #IRTMedical #ArmyReserve #IHS #Montana

Splattered with bullet holes, Hangar 79 at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum serves as a vital link to preserving the stories of World War II heroes. Over the summer, more than 150 service members contributed to the facility's renovation through five two-week rotations spanning ten weeks. They completed a bathroom demolition and remodel, tripling its capacity, and added a mezzanine upgrade that includes three new stairwells and a balcony extension. Additionally, they installed an electrification upgrade, introducing numerous new outlets to support the vision for future interactive museum displays. The memories of the 2,403 victims of the Pearl Harbor bombing will never be forgotten. To find out more, visit irt.defense.gov. #IRT | #InnovativeReadinessTraining | #IRTSupportActivity | #Hawaii | #IRT_Construction | #FY24FordslandWWIIMuseumReno| #AirForceReserve | #AirForce | #Army

From July 25 to August 7, 2024, the United States Army Reserve partnered with the Maryland Area Health Education Center West (AHEC West) to conduct a no-cost health clinic in Cumberland, Maryland. This Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) mission, called Mountain Maryland Wellness, provided critical no-cost medical, dental, vision, and veterinary services to an area where healthcare resources are limited and wait times can extend up to six months. This community-centered effort delivered care to more than 2,200 patients, with an estimated $1 million in healthcare savings for Cumberland residents. Over the course of 10 days, the mission offered a wide array of health services, from dental exams, extractions, and cleanings to physical therapy and optometry screenings. Specialized services, including diabetic eye exams, musculoskeletal therapy, and behavioral health assessments, provided comprehensive care to individuals with limited access to regular healthcare. A veterinary team addressed often-overlooked needs, including providing rabies vaccinations, wellness checks, and preventive care for community pets. "Cumberland’s poverty rate is 1.5 times the national average, and its residents face significant barriers in accessing timely and affordable healthcare," said Melissa Clark, Associate Director of AHEC West. "This mission, supported by the incredible expertise of military personnel and local volunteers, brought essential services to those who need them most. It’s a testament to the power of community partnership." AHEC West, which services four counties across Western Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, played a central role in connecting residents with follow-up care. Referrals were made for dental, behavioral health, and specialty medical services to ensure patients could continue their treatment journeys. This mission was also integral to AHEC West’s ongoing efforts to increase healthcare coverage within the community. The mission provided real-world training for military personnel under conditions that mirrored those in deployed settings. With 103 Service members completing more than 8,800 procedures across 10 clinic days—including a soft opening day and two extended-hour days—the mission exemplified the mutual benefits of IRT’s civil-military partnerships. The success of the Mountain Maryland Medical Mission underscores the impact of community partnerships in addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in underserved areas. AHEC West expresses its heartfelt thanks to the U.S. Army Reserve’s 405th Field Hospital, regional healthcare providers, and the many volunteers whose dedication to their community was instrumental in achieving this mission. #Maryland | #CivilMilitaryPartnerships | #InnovativeReadinessTraining | #IRTMission | #IRT | #ArmyReserve | #USAR | #IRT_MedicalCare | #IRT_DentalCare | #IRT_OptometryCare | #IRT_VeterinaryCare

Check out our latest #IRT newsletter showcasing the training value and community impact delivered by Service members this year. Find out how IRT civil-military partnerships continue to strengthen communities and enhance military readiness. Don't miss this update on our collective efforts to make a lasting impact! To find out more, visit irt.defense.gov. https://bit.ly/3DzswoP #IRT #Army #Marines #Navy #AirForce #USA #USAR #ARNG #USMC #USMCR #USN #USNR #USAF #AFRC #ANG

From 9–22 July 2024, the United States Army Reserve partnered with the QUENTIN N. BURDICK MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY to conduct the Turtle Mountain Wellness medical training support activity. Held in Belcourt, ND, on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. This initiative saw 42 Service members collaborate with local partners to provide essential medical care and community support to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Belcourt, home to a significant portion of the tribe’s 30,000 enrolled members, faces unique challenges despite its rich cultural heritage and sovereign nation status. With a poverty rate exceeding 30%, the community continually addresses issues like health disparities and substance abuse through various programs and partnerships. Through the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program, Service members treated 541 patients and performed 640 procedures, with an estimated fair market value of $132,441. The veterinary team spayed/neutered hundreds of animals and provided vaccines and check-ups. Additionally, IRT nurses helped update hospital policies and supported daily clinic operations, while dental technicians provided much-needed support to the dental clinic. Local organizations played a crucial role in the success of the mission. Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC) shared Chippewa culture and accommodated soldiers’ needs, while Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue supplied essential resources and coordinated veterinary clinic schedules and locations. Service members completed 14 days of real-world training, enhancing their deployment readiness while providing crucial services. The mission culminated in a successful incident preparedness event, providing an opportunity for Service members, local hospitals, and EMS teams to practice disaster training skills. The community expressed profound gratitude for the mission. A dental clinic patient personally thanked the dental technicians for alleviating his discomfort. The collaborative efforts of military personnel and local partners addressed immediate needs, fostered lasting relationships, and enhanced community resilience. IRT civil-military partnerships continue to strengthen bonds between the military and American communities, enhance unit readiness, and deliver vital health services to local communities. To learn more, visit irt.defense.gov. #CivilMilitaryPartnerships | #InnovativeReadinessTraining | #IRTMission | #IRT | #NorthDakota | #ArmyReserve | #USAR | #IRT_MedicalCare | #IRT_OptometryCare

From 4 June to 31 August 2024, the Air National Guard (ANG) and the U.S. Air Force Reserve (AFRC) partnered with DYNAMIC COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS Dynamic Community Solutions on a construction project to address safe, affordable housing for 250 residents of Pu‘uhonua O Wai‘anae, in Wai‘anae, Hawaii. This work brought together over 300 Airmen from 15 different ANG and AFRC units to construct 16 hales (homes) at the new Mauka Village in the Wai‘anae Valley. Pu?uhonua O Wai‘anae, located on the leeward side of O?ahu near the Wai‘anae Small Boat Harbor, is home to approximately 250 individuals, including keiki (children), kūpuna (respected elders), and working families. Two-thirds of the population are Native Hawaiians. Once guided by the late Twinkle Borge, the community has built a unique and self-sustaining village rooted in traditional Hawaiian values of kuleana (responsibility) and communal care. Over the course of 12 weeks of field training, Air Force personnel built 16 hales and began work on a second Hale Aina (kitchen/bathroom) as part of the site master plan. The new village will combine modern amenities with traditional Hawaiian communal living, providing a sustainable and regenerative agricultural community for its residents. In FY24, Service members received over 20,000 hours of valuable training, fulfilling 8,000 critical Air Force training tasks while saving Dynamic Community Solutions over $1.3 million in labor costs associated with housing construction. This project is expected to offer shelter and stability to approximately 250 people, about 5 percent of the island’s houseless population. The development costs, operating expenses, and rents are projected to be lower than those of conventional affordable housing, making Pu?uhonua O Wai‘anae a model for future communities across Hawaii and potentially the entire United States. Late community leader Twinkle Borge reflected on the mission, “It took me a while to actually feel dirt under my feet, knowing it’s yours.… I myself used to think it was crazy, but we’re doing it.” Air National Guard Deputy Project Manager Chief Master Sergeant Bennett had this to say about the mission: “Aloha Lives Here is a wonderful project in many ways! It enables our Engineers from all branches of the armed services to receive real world training and get trained on Mission Essential Task, which help develop our young soldiers, sailors, airman, marines! Simultaneously we get to help a gracious community in need. There is no better feeling!!” To find out more about the program, visit irt.defense.gov. #InnovativeReadinessTraining #IRTMission #IRT #Hawaii #AirForceReserve #AFRC #AirNationalGuard #ANG

From July 15–26, 2024, the United States Army Reserve partnered with the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District (NWAEDD) to conduct a medical mission in the towns of Jasper and Kingston, Arkansas. This mission provided no-cost medical services to these communities in need, while providing valuable real-world medical training to Service members. Through the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Program, 84 Service members provided no-cost medical care to residents of Jasper and Kingston. Overcoming logistical challenges, Service members treated 602 patients, performed 3,483 procedures, and distributed 50 pairs of eyeglasses. The estimated fair market value of the services provided is $535,041. The NWAEDD’s Community Development Coordinator, Tina Cole, underscored the critical need for these services in counties where poverty rates are high: “Ozark Wellness brought an invaluable opportunity for our communities to receive quality healthcare at no cost, addressing immediate needs and providing significant economic relief.” IRT missions offer the dual benefits of real-world training for military personnel—enhancing their deployment readiness—and essential services to communities. Lieutenant Colonel Kristin Porter emphasized the importance of these missions, stating, “They allow our healthcare providers to work with real patients, honing their skills while providing a sense of fulfillment from helping communities in need.” IRT civil-military partnerships continue to strengthen bonds between the military and American communities, enhance unit readiness, and deliver vital health services to local communities. To learn more, visit irt.defense.gov. #CivilMilitaryPartnerships | #InnovativeReadinessTraining | #IRTMission | #IRT | #Arkansas | #ArmyReserve | #USAR | #IRT_MedicalCare | #IRT_OptometryCare

Check out our #IRT November newsletter highlighting the Native Village of Eyak’s Innovative Readiness Training civil-military partnership with the Army National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, and the Air National Guard, to support efforts to construct an access road to an oil spill response facility. To find out more, visit irt.defense.gov. https://lnkd.in/ewGga6Ep #InnovativeReadinessTraining | #IRTMission | #Alaska | #IRT_CivilEngineering | #ShepardPoint | #MarineCorpsReserve | #AirNationalGuard | #ArmyNationalGuard | #USMCR | #ANG | #ARNG

Earlier this summer, over 240 personnel from the Air Force Reserve, Air Force Active Duty, Air National Guard, and Virgin Islands Army National Guard provided medical care, including medical evaluations, dental care, and eye examinations. Throughout the medical support activity, 2,112 patients were seen, and 14,256 procedures were performed across the three islands. Service members received 28,967 hours of hands-on training and provided approximately $2.2 million in medical care to the residents of the Virgin Islands. Check out the details of the first Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) support activity in the Virgin Islands! To find out more, visit irt.defense.gov. #InnovativeReadinessTraining | #IRTSupportActivity | #IRT | #USVI | #VirginIslands | #IRT_Medical | #IRT_DentalCare | #IRT_OptometryCare | #FY24USVIWellness | #AirNationalGuard | #AirForceReserve | #AirForce | #ArmyNationalGuard | #Army??