Photo By Cpl. Khoa Pelczar | A Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 5, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Nine seconds is crucial when Marines have to don their gas mask, clear it and have a complete seal.
Those vital moments are exactly why more than 40 Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 5, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group attended Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear training here, March 30.
The CBRN course, also known as the confidence chamber, provided Marines information about the history of CBRN and the proper way to use their equipment, such as the new M-50 field-protective mask and the Mission Oriented Protective Posture suit. The course also taught correct hand-and-arm signals, the safety kit and the decontamination process.
“Unlike what they went through in boot camp, this course was meant for them to build confidence in their equipment,” said Cpl. Vincent Pritchett, CBRN chief, CLB-5, CLR-1, 1st MLG. “They must learn to trust their equipment so they won’t freak out if [things go south in theatre.]”
Prior to going through the confidence chamber, Marines conducted practical application to build confidence with their gear. Pritchett, 21, from Arab, Ala., showed participants how the new, field-protective masks are better, lighter, can self-seal and are more effective.
After completing the chamber, Pfc. Tiera Cowan, administrative clerk, CLB-5, CLR-1, 1st MLG, grew more confident with her field-protective mask, she said. She believes that her gear would be effective even in strenuous situations.
“The instructor really knew his stuff,” said Cowan, 20, from Detroit. “His instruction covered pretty much anything I wanted to know about CBRN. He helped us when we needed assistance and showed us to be confident and [have] trust in our gear.”
Pritchett explained his personal goal is to prepare everyone to be ready for the unlikely event of a chemical attack. He wants everyone to know what they have to do during a time of crisis.
“The way I see it, we help them to help others to survive by teaching them to stay calm and take charge in the situation,” said Pritchett. In order to make the information easy for the Marines to digest, Pritchett kept the course interactive by asking questions and including everyone in all the demonstrations.
“The way he explained things, it was easy to pick up,” said Lance Cpl. Dimas Cuevas, embarkation specialist, CLB-5, CLR-1, 1st MLG. “He showed us that the more we do it, the more confidence we’ll gain. By not panicking, we’ll be able to accomplish our mission.”
Once everyone understood the course and was equipped with the proper gear, Pritchett took them to a confidence chamber filled with CS gas, commonly known as tear gas. Here, they performed and completed exercises given by the instructors in order to complete the course.
“If they can keep their composure and know what to do, they’ll be able to save the others,” said Pritchett.
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2011 13:33 |
| Story ID: | 68749 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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