Story by U.S. Marine Cpl. R. Drew Hendricks
NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Thailand – In the jungles of Thailand,
there are many dangers from both flora and fauna. However, Royal Thai
Soldiers have the experience and knowledge necessary to survive in this lush
and rugged environment that is their back yard.
In the spirit of pacific partnership and as part of the joint military
exercise Cobra Gold 2007, these jungle warfighters shared this knowledge with
U.S. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry, Combined Arms Brigade,
Bellingham, Wash. National Guard during the jungle survival warrior training
at Camp Thammarat, Thailand May 13.
"Survival is the important thing. To know how to survive, is the most
important tool of a soldier," said Master Sgt. 1st Class Yuttapom Sokko,
jungle survival lead instructor, Royal Thai Army Rangers. "We teach them what
they can eat and what they can't and how to catch, kill and cook it."
The U.S. Soldier have lived and worked with their Thai counterparts for
several days. Each group has learned from each other's experience in all
areas of warfighting. During this training exercise, soldiers from the United
States, Thailand and Singapore participated in the survival class and jungle
patrol operations.
"Even after a few days, our bond with the Thai soldiers is strong," said U.S.
Army Staff Sgt. John Todd, platoon sergeant, A Company. "Through this
training, we have made it even stronger and have taken in valuable knowledge
that will help us survive."
The jungle survival class was something very unique. Unlike anything many of
the soldiers had ever seen, it allowed the participants to get a messy,
hands-on experience in techniques they would have to use if they were ever
fighting for their lives in this rigorous jungle environment.
"This is the first time overseas for a lot of these guys and it shows them
how difficult it can be in an environment with a different language and a
different mission," said Sgt. Maj. Robert Barr, command sergeant major, 81st
Heavy Combat Brigade, parent command of 1/161. "This is an experience the
basic soldier would never be able to do on their own."
The soldiers learned how to skin and prepare a frog for cooking, the proper
way to skin a gecko, and the best way to kill, skin and gut a chicken in less
than two minutes.
Some of these methods seemed less than humane, but the instructors made a
point that these skills are used for nothing more than survival.
"Killing the animal is not for fun or for sport. It is for survival," said
Sokko. "You don't have to feel bad if it's to survive. It's for your life."
Animals are not the only form of sustenance that is abundant in the jungle.
Sokko spent a considerable portion of the class stressing the importance of
the plant life in the region. As he stood behind a large table covered with
wild fruit and plants, he invited his students to sample the different
varieties. Some are sweet and enjoyable; others have medicinal properties
that could possibly cure simple stomach aches and even insomnia.
"This is the type of stuff (the average soldier) needs to see and learn so he
can survive on the battlefield," said Todd. "This training instills
confidence and confidence is what they need to survive."
The training was not entirely serious. The interactions were friendly and
relaxed, like a band of brothers sharing experiences and telling war stories.
The last demonstration culminated that feeling of brotherhood as the Thai
soldiers invited their brothers in arms to join them in a warrior
tradition--drinking the blood of a cobra. More than just a tradition, the
experience was a training evolution to show that a soldier can master his
environment even when facing a dangerous animal.
A Thai snake master showed the soldiers the type of techniques that are used
to subdue a cobra. His skill was apparent as he slapped the cobra hard across
the head leaving his hand unbitten. After putting on a show for the students,
he easily grabbed the poison filled viper behind the head and killed it with
one swift swipe of his knife. The instructors then drained the cobra's blood
into a glass mixed with Thai whiskey, made from ingredients found in the
field. They also poured in the fluids from the snake's gallbladder, said to
have medicinal properties. The students lined up and took their turn to down
the bloody concoction.
"The bloody mary from hell," said Spc. Angel Neblett, bradley driver, A
Company. "It burns a little as it goes down."
After the demonstrations, Sokko gave a warning to his students encouraging
them to learn as much as they can before simply trying these techniques on
their own. He has spent years learning from the local elders in the villages
of his youth. He has spent countless hours in the library and in the jungle
testing and practicing his techniques. He is an expert in this field and he
said he loves passing on this knowledge.
"The American Soldiers are all willing and eager to learn and it makes me
feel proud to teach them," said Sokko. "They need to know what they can do to
survive."
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