CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines and sailors with 2nd Marine Logistics Group participated in the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, or CBRN, decontamination course here Oct. 21 to 25.
The training prepared the service members for the task of protecting themselves during a CBRN attack and decontaminating people and vehicles afterward.
“[The course] is important because we get a break down [of CBRN] at the yearly gas chamber, but if something happens, [having gone through this course] we can respond more, have more faith in ourselves and our equipment, and have a better idea of what’s going on,” said Lance Cpl. William M. Kuemmeth, an embarkation specialist with Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd MLG. “I don’t think the regular one-day gas chamber is enough to fully break down the scope of the whole situation.”
The course syllabus integrated morning classes with afternoon practical application periods, covering the different CBRN agent detectors, the proper techniques for donning their protective masks during an attack and exchanging Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear while in a contaminated environment, and decontaminating equipment and personnel after a CBRN attack.
“If I’m in Afghanistan, I’m going to know how to help myself and others,” said Lance Cpl. Michelle E. Rusz, an administration specialist with CLR-27. “If somebody knows how to do this, [he or she] can save a lot of other Marines, if need be. I know we’re on Camp Lejeune now, but you never know what can happen – there was just [a CBRN] attack in Syria; it happens and it’s real.”
One of the main objectives of the decontamination course is earning the license to use the M26 Joint Service Transportable Decontamination System. The M26 is capable of decontaminating personnel, equipment and vehicles from all types of CBRN agents.
“All those classes combined give students an overview of what their jobs would be when called upon to become part of decontamination teams,” said Lance Cpl. Genaro E. Aranda, a CBRN defense specialist and course instructor with CBRN Defense Platoon, CLR-27. “There aren’t a lot of CBRN personnel in the Marine Corps to begin with, so as a force in readiness, we need personnel of other [military occupational specialties] to have a general knowledge of [CBRN procedures]. It helps our combat readiness when we can respond to certain situations wherever, whenever.”
Providing CBRN courses to service members came as a result of the low number of CBRN specialists requesting additional manpower, but not receiving Marines with sufficient knowledge to assist. The platoon also offers a CBRN reconnaissance course, which trains troops to detect contamination, mark it, quarantine it and avoid it.