Photo By Maj. Danielle Phillips | Sgt. Steven Scheutzow, a squad leader with Black Sea Rotational Force 14 and an...... read more read more
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MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania –Today’s ever-changing battlefield requires a unique assemblage of weaponry. Non-lethal weapons are specifically employed in order to incapacitate people or equipment with minimal casualties. This resource provides an advantage in issues of riot control, crisis management and detainee handling.
Black Sea Rotational Force 14, the first year-long rotation in the Black Sea region, underwent a week-long training program to certify Marines and sailors for non-lethal weapons handling from Oct. 21-25, 2013. The training included an oleoresin capsicum, commonly known as “O-C spray,” course, human electro-muscular incapacitation devices, also known as “Tasers,” and controlled baton takedowns.
The training began in the classroom with instruction on the force continuum and non-lethal weapons capabilities. 1st Lt. Michael Phillips, a platoon commander and one of two NLW instructors with BSRF-14, drafted the training plan and executed the course alongside Chief Warrant Officer Michael Haskett, BSRF-14’s second NLW instructor and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense officer.
“A full understanding of all of the non-lethal capabilities gives you, and the command, a lot more options in escalation-of-force measures,” said Phillips. “Knowing our mission out here, with embassy reinforcement, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, this ability gives the commander a lot more options.”
Marines and sailors transitioned from the classroom to the range for the second day of training. Participants fired non-lethal munitions with 40mm and 12-gauge weapons. The realistic employment of these weapons in a training environment allows Marines and sailors to fully understand the force continuum. By cycling through classroom training, then practical application, and finally the qualification course, all Marines and sailors have the opportunity to exercise small-unit leadership.
“For the Marines, this is an opportunity to get out in front and do what every Marine wants to do—get in front of Marines and teach, mentor and also give other options to [the commander] besides lethal weapons,” said Haskett. “There’s the train-the-trainer piece as well. The training that Lt. Phillips and I provide at the small-unit leader level can be reciprocated and used as a leadership tool for them.”
After the live-fire range, the course progressed into controlled baton takedowns and preparation for the OC spray qualification course. All mission-essential Marines and sailors were slotted for OC spray and Taser training. A lot of anxiety started to build as everyone came closer to qualification day. The OC qualification was first.
OC Spray, according to Marine Administrative Message 458/08, is manufactured with varying levels of concentration and marketed under several different brand names. The military has employed many brand name OC sprays with varying levels of concentration. Marines and sailors who participate in level one contamination for certification, which is direct physical contact with OC spray and the subject’s face, may exhibit the following: eyes completely close or blink rapidly; inflamed respiratory system causing coughing, gagging, hiccupping, or the perception that [the subject] cannot catch their breath; anxiety and panic because of the aforementioned effects.
“It’s a very intense burning sensation in your eyes and on your face,” said Phillips. “Due to its nature it can, to some people, be very disorienting because we are so reliant on our sense of sight.”
Marines and sailors practiced multiple techniques with and without batons, received classroom instruction on the course, and executed rehearsals. It was imperative that all participants were able to execute the techniques in a realistic training environment in order to be able to recall those same maneuvers affected by the OC.
“It feels like your face is on fire. Your eyes slam shut and it’s hard to breathe for the first few minutes and you just push through. It is probably one of the most painful training experiences you can have, but the potential for employing OC leaves a potential for cross contamination,” explains Haskett. “We don’t want Marines to overreact and lose their bearing. Now [participants] know how it feels and they understand the implications of employment and how it’s going to affect the person that they’re spraying. That, in my opinion, is the most important thing. Now that I have a healthy respect for both OC spray and Tasers, I would think twice about using it.”
Coordination across different sections within BSRF-14 was critical for this training to be completed successfully. Marines who previously completed the OC qualification course served as observer controllers and guided unqualified Marines and sailors. Sailors with the Battalion Aid Station teamed up with logistics Marines in order to establish a decontamination site and usher participants through the tedious and painful process of recovery.
“You just sit back and rely on the training that was given to you. You trust in the training and apply it without any delay or question,” said Staff Sgt. James Chaney, the administrative and logistical enlisted advisor for BSRF-14. “You’re either going to be blind and it’s going to suck or you’re going to see and it’s going to suck.”
Hospital Corpsman First Class George Ladd, a Navy corpsman with BSRF-14, directed the decontamination site with medical personnel.
“We coordinated with the motor-pool and they provided 1200 gallons of water and [another Marine] bought [non-tear] soap from the local economy. We set up the decontamination site at the end of the lane so that it was immediately available to people,” said Ladd. “It’s very important to immediately wash your face with soap and water to cut through the effects of OC spray and limit the chances of secondary effects.”
After the Marines and sailors completed the qualification course and were thoroughly decontaminated, Taser certifications began. Although this was the last training evolution, the material was still extensively covered before anything was executed.
Classroom instruction on the purpose, employment and effects of Tasers, led into a practical application and demonstration in the classroom. Every Marine and sailor was provided the opportunity to experience being shocked.
Haskett described the feeling of effects of the electric shock saying, “Your entire body locks up and you have no control over your body for five seconds. You are as stiff as a board. You’re aware of everything that is going on and you’re trying to move but you can’t because your body is completely incapacitated.”
Following the demonstration, a select group of Marines completed several timed reload drills, drive stuns, and fired on targets to complete their certifications.
The commander’s intent for Taser qualification was very clear: these certifications would qualify a competent noncommissioned officer who can employ this asset should the need arise during the execution of a mission.
The week-long training concluded and left BSRF-14 with a better educated, better trained, and better prepared group of professional warriors who continue to serve as the premiere crisis-response force in the eastern European region.
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.29.2013 13:42 |
| Story ID: | 115900 |
| Location: | MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, RO |
| Web Views: | 415 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
This work, Marines, sailors train with non-lethal capabilities, by MAJ Danielle Phillips, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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