What must soldiers complete before using Army equipment in a new operational area?

Before using Army equipment in a new operational area, soldiers must complete a risk assessment specific to that area. This requirement ensures that potential hazards and risks associated with the unique environment, terrain, and operational conditions are identified and addressed. Conducting a thorough risk assessment allows soldiers to ascertain the safety measures needed to mitigate any identified risks before engaging with equipment. This proactive approach is critical for maintaining operational effectiveness and ensuring the safety of personnel in varying contexts.

The other options, while potentially relevant in some training scenarios, do not directly address the immediate necessity of assessing risks tied to the specific operational environment. For example, reviewing past operational reports may provide valuable insights, but it does not replace the necessity of assessing current risks. Similarly, pre-deployment physical training is vital for overall readiness, but it does not correlate with operational equipment safety directly. Lastly, testing on equipment specifications, while important for understanding how to operate the equipment correctly, does not ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place for the new environment. Thus, prioritizing a risk assessment is key to effective and safe operations.