Soldiers experience chemical training

By Ms. Noelle Wiehe (Benning)February 17, 2016

Soldiers experience chemical training
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING, Ga. (Feb. 17 2016) -- They heard the horror stories before they came to basic training on Fort Benning - the snot, the tears and even losing their breakfast. At Britton Range, they found that all the horror stories they'd heard about the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training were true, Feb. 10.

"It was rough," said Pvt. Damien Adams from Doerun, Georgia.

Soldiers of B Company, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment, donned their masks as they prepared to enter the tent, which they were warned was fuming with chlorobenzylidene malononitrile - CS gas. The gas is an irritant that causes a profuse flow of tears, extreme irritation of the skin and upper respiratory irritation. Soldiers must don their masks within nine seconds or, for this training are considered non-mission capable.

Once inside, they did calisthenic exercises to get their heart rates up - neck rolls and running in place - then they broke the seal to their mask just for experience.

Afterward, they removed their masks completely to experience the full effect of the gas. As they stood in the gas, exposed to the chemicals, their eyes automatically shut, their sinuses completely drain and their faces feel as if they are on fire. They instinctively reach up to rub their eyes but cadre order them not to, holding them in the tent just a few seconds longer.

The trainees were told to recite the Soldiers' Creed, but Spc. Victor Young from El Paso, Texas, said he could only get out a few lines before he was coughing for breath. Adams admitted he didn't get out any of the creed before the coughing fit.

Outside the tent, trainees realize they are not free from the effects of the gas. They are told to "flap their wings," allowing oxygen to neutralize the gas and virtually heal them. They find relief from the gas within two to three minutes of exiting the contaminated area.

"With every step we were properly trained, properly ordered what to do," Young said. "It was very thorough - the drill sergeants were always there watching over us."

The exercise, while used to disable opposing forces in combat, instills confidence in the basic combat trainees while also giving them faith in their equipment.

"I was nervous because, of course, I've never done anything like this, but I had confidence in the equipment and in the (cadre)," Young said.

With tear-stained cheeks and mucus frozen to their upper lips from the February weather, the Soldiers left confident they could face a similar situation and remain mission-capable. They will perform the tasks of adorning their masks and calling to their unit "gas, gas, gas!" during red phase testing and when they conduct their third field training in the final weeks of basic combat training.

"(CBRN training) starts to ingrain that muscle memory," said 1st Sgt. George Fegahali, B Company first sergeant. "When they're in a combat zone, it is not a 'I don't know what to do,' it becomes second nature."

Fegahali said the training allows for Soldiers to prepare for the worst because the reality that they may encounter CS gas in combat in the modern day battlefield is unlikely, but in basic combat training, Soldiers are taught to prepare for anything.