While service members are trained to deliver human medical care in combat and civil affairs arenas, there is lacking knowledge of animal care skills among the recruits—something that is often needed in the areas they serve. The military partnered with Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design to teach the members proper handling techniques and routine care.
The Reymann Memorial Research, Education and Outreach Center has been part of West Virginia University since 1917 and has been used to raise sheep, cattle, pigs and poultry. Known also as the Wardensville Farm, the 996-acre property began training Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman in the Navy and Special Forces Medical Sergeants in the U.S. Army in 2016. With an annual gift of $10,000, the Farm Credit of the Virginias sponsors the trainings.
“Because farming is no longer a primary source of employment or way of life, people don’t have in-depth knowledge of agricultural practices — particularly when it comes to farm animals,” said Jerry Yates, Reymann Memorial REOC manager.
The Reymann Memorial REOC was chosen as the training location for its proximity to WVU Hospitals, where the service members were also learning medical care at WVU Health Sciences. The farm’s infrastructure including a large test barn, several animal species and the availability of subject matter experts, made the location perfect for the military’s needs.
John Yost, former assistant director of REOC operations and administration, assisted in designing the program. Several times a year, he teaches animal handling and behavior to classes of six service members at a time. The two-day training provides soldiers and corpsmen with basic livestock knowledge, which allows them to more easily connect and develop rapport with local people when deployed. In total, 370 service members have been trained in animal husbandry, gaining both experience and understanding.
“These individuals are going into places where it’s vital to understand the significance of the human-animal bond and just how interrelated and interdependent it is,” Yost said. “That bond has no language barrier; it’s a connection that’s universal.”
Serving as sources of food and livelihood, animals play an essential role in the health and well-being of the villages, securing agriculture as an integral part of the culture.
Because of courses in WVU Health Sciences and at the REOC, the service members are able to help the local people with injured or sick animals (including everything from falcons to goats), giving them an opportunity to build a positive relationship and connection with the village people.
“The Special Forces training is an opportunity for the Davis College to give back and help our service members,” Yost said. “We’re giving them tools to stay safe in the field and help them complete their mission. And after their service, they may even consider an agriculture-related career.”
The Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design envisions a world sustainably fed, clothed and sheltered. To learn more about the Davis College, visit davis.wvu.edu. Keep up with the latest updates and news on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube by following @WVUDavis.
-WVU-
ls/10/18/23
CONTACT: Leah Smith
Communications Specialist
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
304-290-8680; lnestor2@mail.wvu.edu
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