H&S Bn conducts active shooter drill at legal

Photo By Cpl. Dominique Osthoff | Officers Brandon Boullion and Brandon Royals clear the building during an active-shooter drill at the Military Justice Complex aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Oct. 19. The purpose of this drill was to train base personnel on appropriate responses to an active-shooter scenario. Boullion and Royals are officers with the MCB Camp Lejeune Provost Marshals Office.  

NC, UNITED STATES

10.19.2017

Story by Lance Cpl. Dominique Osthoff 

Marine Corps Installations East       

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s Headquarters & Support Battalion conducted an active- shooter drill to create a training environment that simulated a real world response at the Military Justice Complex aboard the base Thursday.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jennifer Bock was the simulated active shooter and was engaged by first responders faster than expected, even with the Criminal Investigation Division intentionally standing down to give her a chance to make her way further through the complex.

After hearing bangs from Bock’s simulated hand gun, Marines quickly warned each other and implemented what they’ve learned from prior anti-terrorism training.

“It was over in a matter of 10 seconds,” said Cpl. Justin Hathcock, a legal service specialist with Legal Services Support Section East. “I saw someone running. I ducked down and hit the floor. I heard the first few shots and within a matter of seconds, she came in and started shooting everyone else.”

Although the Marines received prior anti-terrorism training, some were surprised by the way events played out during the drill.

“When I pictured it in my mind, I thought maybe somebody would walk in, maybe say something or start yelling,” said Hathcock. “All she did was just run straight to people and start shooting. I was the last one shot – it was eye opening.”

After Bock was stopped and disarmed during the training, first responders
continued to search for other potential shooters.

“An active shooter is a very fast moving scenario,” said 1st Lt. Eric Quintero, the assistant operations officer with the Provost Marshal’s Office. “It’s different and tactical search is surgical in nature.”

The drill helped meet anti-terrorism training requirements while giving personnel from LSSS East and first responders an opportunity to work together in a live-training scenario. The battalion plans to conduct more training like this to keep Marines, contractors and Department of Defense civilians vigilant.

“We are going to continue to conduct training at different levels to satisfy different objectives,” said Lt. Col. Ricco Espinoza, the operations officer for H& S Bn. “It will be ongoing training.”

• Date Taken: 10.19.2017
• Date Posted: 11.12.2017 20:29
• Story ID: 253477
• Location: NC, US