when Robert E. Lee misplaced plans and how to handle evidence, so
DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE
for the Battle of Antietam). they aren’t risking their lives only a73 Watch tactical site exploita-
What’s being taught today is to have the bad guy released [on
tion in action. Click here to see a
video of students searching a prac-
unlike anything in the past. “[Be- a technicality].”
tice house and uncovering weapons.
fore] we learned our lessons the Any soldier or Marine is suited for
hard way by getting the bad guy the job. “A background in police work This is why the classes focus on a
then having him released during or explosives can be helpful,” Parris lot of practical exercises. “When the
the investigative phase of the trial says, “but we can train any troop to lightbulb does come on, it’s really re-
because we didn’t do something the level we need him [or her] to be.” warding,” he adds.
correctly,” Spears says. “[Now] sol- Sometimes prior knowledge actually TSE students are well aware of
diers and Marines need to know can hinder TSE students from think- the value their training brings when
exactly what is legal, what is illegal, ing the way Parris teaches, he says. they return to Iraq or Afghani-
stan, as well as how the wars have
evolved during the past two years.
“Prior to this, we were in
there as soldiers,” notes Staff Sgt.
Carl Chandler, USA, Bravo Battery,
36th Field Artillery, who took the TSE
course at Fort Polk. “We went in there
and took care of what we had to take
care of; we found the bombs, and we
blew them up. But now, the mission
has changed a little bit. Someone de-
cided that it’s smarter to fi ngerprint
the bombs and whatever else we fi nd
and try to fi nd the source of the muni-
tions, so we can stop it there.”
As U.S. involvement in Iraq and
Afghanistan continues, TSE likely
will play a growing role in
combating terrorism. “Im-
(above) A village elder (also a role- provised explosive devices,
player), left, provides information to soldiers I hate to say, are very ef-
who prepare to search his residence. (below) fective weapons for the in-
A detained “suspect,” surrounded by bomb- surgents, and I don’t think
making tools, awaits his turn to talk. they are going to go away
in the near future,” ob-
serves Spears. “As a result,
I believe tactical site exploitation will
play an increasingly important role in
contemporary warfare.”
Parris would like to see increased
numbers of military personnel re-
ceive training in the collection of
forensic evidence. “Having this
knowledge as a baseline can enhance
the ability and effectiveness of our
troops,” he says. MO
— Don Vaughan is a freelance writer
based in North Carolina. His last article
for Military Offi cer was “Lost in the
Himalayas,” September 2009.
PHOTOS: COURTESY A-T SOLUTIONS INC. PHOTOS: TOP, COURTESY JOINT READINESS TRAINING CENTER, FEBRUARY 2010 MILITARY OFFICER 63
FORT POLK, LA.; ABOVE, COURTESY A-T SOLUTIONS INC.
Feb digital pg
63.indd 63 1/14/10 3:15 PM
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