Photo By Cpl. Khoa Pelczar | A Marine with Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, breaks the...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, couldn’t think of a better way to kick off a new year than to put their commitment to the Corps to the test in a closed, gas-filled room, known as the confidence chamber.
More than 70 service members with CLR-17 attended Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear training here, Jan. 20.
To these Marines, nine seconds is crucial to don their gas mask, clear it and have a complete seal, explained Cpl. Travis Armstrong, CBRN specialist, G-3, 1st MLG.
“Because of how important this training is and how vital every second is, everyone has to pay attention and understand what to do if we ever have to deal with situations like this,” said Lance Cpl. Corey Funk, CBRN specialist, CLR-17, 1st MLG.
The confidence chamber provided Marines with 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, said Armstrong, 23, from Warrensburg, Mo. The course also taught correct hand-and-arm signals, how to utilize the safety kit and the decontamination process.
“This course is all about building their confidence in the equipment,” said Armstrong. “I’d rather have them freaking out inside the chamber now and conquer that fear, than being unprepared in combat.”
Prior to going through the confidence chamber, Marines conducted practical application to build confidence with their gear. Armstrong utilized volunteers to demonstrate how to equip and operate the MOPP suits and the new M-50 field-protective masks.
“This is good training,” said Lance Cpl. Patrick Regan, intelligence analyst, G-2, 1st MLG. “Everything was well prepared and the instructors made it easy for everyone to understand.”
After completing the chamber, Regan, 24, from Pasadena, Calif., felts prepared and ready for any chemical attack. He said he grew more confident with his gear and believed that he could “stay cool” under pressure, even in strenuous situations.
“If they want to attack us using chemical, biological or radiological, I say bring it on,” said Regan. “The instructor did a great job explaining things to us and I feel that we’re trained and prepared.”
Funk, 19, from Gloversville, N.Y., said he enjoys teaching the Marines and sharing his knowledge about CBRN to his brothers and sisters. He wants everyone to know what they have to do during a time of crisis.
“If they know how everything operates and how to handle the situation, then nothing surprises them and they’ll be able to keep their composure when the time comes,” said Funk.
Once everyone understood the course and was equipped with the proper gear, Armstrong and Funk led 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.
“The Marine Corps doesn’t call it the confidence chamber for nothing,” said Armstrong. “By being able to keep their composure in this type of environment, they’ll be able to assist and save the others.”
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2012 19:28 |
| Story ID: | 82653 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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