Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego -- Marines of Company I, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, were exposed CS gas for the first time during the Crucible week at Edson Range, March 3.
The purpose of the event was for the Marines to learn the basics of the M-50 Joint Service General Purpose Mask before going into the chamber. Once they were in the chamber, they had to gain the confidence to operate their masks correctly and effectively.
“We teach Marines the assembly of the M-50 JSGPM, have them check the serviceability of the masks, immediate action drills and the effects of the CS gas,” said Sgt. Travis B Armstrong, chemical biological radiological and nuclear defense specialist, Weapons and Field Training Battalion. “Our number one goal is getting them confident with the equipment and making sure they know what to do when under pressure.”
To ensure the Marines applied the fundamentals they had learned, the chamber was filled with chlorobenzylidene malonitrile, or CS Gas, a non-lethal tear gas and also a riot control agent.
“Before I went in I didn’t really know what to expect,” said Pfc. Andrew W. Wundsam, Platoon 3209. “I think that’s what made me the most nervous.”
After the classes, the Marines were split up in groups of 58 to go into the chamber.
Once the door opened, Marines were rushed inside by their drill instructors. As soon as the door had closed, they began the drill.
“We make it chaotic to freak the Marines out,” said Sgt. Misael Morales Jr., drill instructor, Plt. 3211. “They don’t know what to expect and fear of the unknown is already making it nerve racking for them.”
Marines began by performing three exercises; shaking their heads, jumping jacks and breaking the seal of their mask.
“They were forced to do exercises to get their blood flowing and get them sweating,” said Morales, a Miami native. “This simulates combat stress and allowed them to feel the full effects of the gas.”
After each Marine had their mask completely off of their faces, sounds of coughs and gags surrounded the chamber.
“When the mask first came off my face, I didn’t want to breathe,” said Pfc. Corey A. Shed, Plt. 3209. “My throat felt like it was closing up and the worst part was just not being able to breath.”
Once the Marines were given the go-ahead by the field instructor, they put back on their masks and cleared out all of the gas.
Just when the Marines thought they had succeeded through the Confidence Chamber, they were told to take the mask off once again.
“The second time was a lot easier,” said Shed, a native of Arlington, Texas. “I knew what it felt like and I just took a couple deep breaths to keep my composure and before I knew it, we were putting our gas masks back on.”
When the Marines put their masks back on, they were asked by the field instructor if they had felt confident in their abilities to use the M-50 JSGPM and were released from the chamber to decontaminate their masks.
Although Co. I Marines had passed the Confidence Chamber, in less than 24 hours they would endure the Crucible, which is a 54-hour test of endurance where recruits must conquer more than 30 obstacles while they experience food and sleep deprivation. This was the last test the Marines faced.
“I wish we had more training like this,” said Wundsam, a Chicago native. “Just in case anything was to ever happen, we need to be prepared.”