MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, San Diego -- Tears and mucus pour down recruit faces as Company C recruits run out of the Confidence Chamber war crying April 2 aboard Edson Range, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
The first week of April Co. C encountered their final test in earning their Eagle, Globe and Anchor; the crucible. This test is 54-hours of sleep and food deprivation while recruits try to overcome different obstacles. The crucible begins with the Confidence Chamber, where they have to apply the skills they have been taught about clearing a mask in a chemical environment.
“This training goes hand-in-hand with the combat-style training they are receiving on the crucible,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Riggs, drill instructor, Platoon 1040, Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion.
After hiking to the chamber, recruits learn about the M50 Joint Service General Purpose Masks and how to assemble and properly use them. They learn how to clear the mask and the dangers of chemical agents. When the recruits go into the Confidence Chamber, they wear the M50 JSGPM while Chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS gas) is released in the air.
“I was a little bit nervous about the rumors I’ve heard,” said Recruit Robert Freemon, Plt. 1018, Co. C, 1st RTBn. “I was told it would be horrible chest pains and burning,” Freemon said prior to entering the chamber.
CS gas is a non-lethal chemical agent that is also known as tear gas. It causes a burning sensation in the eyes, nose, throat and skin. It also causes sneezing and discharges from the nose.
“We use CS gas because no one is immune to it,” said Sgt. Alicia Peck, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense chief, Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “Plus, it’s safe because they’re only exposed to the gas for five minutes.”
The recruits line the walls of the chamber with their masks on, under the supervision of their senior drill instructors and the CBRN defense chief. They’re then instructed to bend and shake at the waist. This is meant to simulate movement as they continue to perform their jobs in an environment where NBC threat exists. This movement ensures their masks are secure. Next they do jumping jacks to get their heart rates up which helps the CS gas get in their systems faster. Every recruit has to break the seal of their masks for several seconds, put them back on securely and clear the chemical out of their masks.
“Once they conduct the exercise it helps them gain more confidence in themselves and helps show how a small period of instruction can save their lives in a biological chemical environment,” said Riggs.
After experiencing the effects of CS gas recruits are allowed to run out of the chamber, and wash their eyes and masks. Shortly after coming out of the chamber, the side effects fade away and recruits realize what they can accomplish and how their gear and training can potentially save their lives.
“My adrenaline was running at first because I didn’t know what to expect,” said Recruit Michael King, Plt. 1045, Co. C, 1st RTBn. “As soon as you walk in the chamber it burns, but it wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be and now I feel confident I can clear a mask if I ever needed.”