FORT LEE, Va. (Sept. 22, 2011)-Some things are slow to change.
The CS gas (2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile) and its effects, are perennial subjects of the classic war story that has been told by at least four generations of military who have firsthand experience with it.
Recently, Soldiers of the 108th Quartermaster Company got the opportunity to log their own memories of CS gas, the "gas chamber" and all other related subject matter. About 80 Soldiers from the 530th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 49th QM Group element underwent Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear training at the NBC facility located near Range Control headquarters Sept. 8.
A few members of the 612th Movement Control Detachment, also an element of the 530th, piggybacked on the training.
Sgt. Joel Jimenez, the CBRN noncommissioned officer for the 108th, said the event, formerly known as "NBC" training, functions to reacquaint Soldiers with their assigned M40 mask.
"The purpose of the training is to give Soldiers confidence in the mask's functionality," he said after the training. "It gives them trust in the mask, lets them see that it really works in a chemical environment."
Jimenez also said the training reintroduces Soldiers with the dreadful choking sensation associated with being exposed to CS gas, first experienced in basic training. He said it was evident during the event that the gas chamber isn't the most popular event on the training schedule.
"Some of the Soldiers were a little hesitant to go in the gas chamber," he said, "but most of the Soldiers were motivated."
For the exercise, the participants received a safety briefing and checked their masks for leaks. They were then led to a room-size building already fuming with CS gas.
"Once they were inside, we had them do exercises - pushups, sit ups - something to get the heart pumping," said Jimenez.
A six-step method of checking the mask followed.
"We had them close their eyes, hold their breath, break the seal of the mask, put it back on, clear the mask and seal it," said Jimenez.
That was the easy part. Having to expose oneself to the chemical also called tear gas is always the most difficult part of the training.
"It was intense," said Pfc. Jessica Barral of the 612th Movement Control Detachment, after removing her mask in the gas chamber. "It really burns your skin."
Back in the day, Soldiers sang running and marching cadences after removing their masks. In this training session, the most distressing renditions of the "The Soldiers' Creed" and "The Army Song" could be heard outside the facility.
"I sang the first few lines of 'The Army Song,' but after that," said Barral, "I just mumbled it, making it sound like 'The Army Song.'"
A few minutes of exposure are all most can endure of the gas. When the signal was given to move outside and the chamber door was opened, Soldiers quickly sought out fresh air, coughing and sucking up oxygen as if their heads had been held underwater for prolonged periods.
"I ran out of that door as fast as I could," said Barral. "My eyes were tearing, I was coughing and my nose was running."
Soldiers who completed their time in the chamber couldn't help but feel some smug comfort in seeing their compatriots endure what they had minutes earlier. Snickers, a few laughs and some sarcastic words of encouragement greeted the scowling and puckered faces as they emerged from the chamber.
Barral, "The Army Song" mutterer, looked relieved after the effects had worn off. She washed herself up afterward and engaged in some lighthearted chatter with her fellow Soldiers
"I felt happy and relieved that I did it and it was done with," she said.
It seemed most everyone else did as well. The uneasiness that dominated the mood beforehand had all but disappeared. There was a sense of accomplishment all around.
"The training went really well," said Jimenez. "Everyone did OK."
No matter how it went, CBRN training will likely become a standout page in each Soldiers' experience. And whether the equipment or name for the training changes, the "gas chamber" will be memorable enough for millions to share with those who never had to experience it.
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