SAN DIEGO -- As recruits enter the chamber and the doors shut, the hazy smoke fills up the room. They know there is only one way out, conquering the gas.
Recruits of India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, conquered the confidence chamber at Edson Range at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 14.
The purpose of the chamber event is to ensure recruits know how to properly employ the equipment used during biological and chemical attacks. The chamber was filled with chlorobenzylidene malonitrile, or CS gas, a non-lethal tear gas and riot control agent.
Before the recruits even enter the chamber, they receive classes on everything they are about to endure.
“We teach recruits the assembly of the M-50 Joint Service General Purpose Mask, have them check the serviceability of the masks, (conduct) immediate action drills and (discuss) the effects of the CS gas,” said Sgt. Travis B Armstrong, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialist, Weapons and Field Training Battalion. “Our number one goal is getting them confident with the equipment and making sure they know what to do when under pressure.”
Recruits didn’t fully understand what the gas’ effects were until the time had come.
The chemicals in the gas react to moist areas of the body. It causes a burning sensation to the body and most recruits endure tears streaming down their faces, coughing, runny nose and restricted breathing.
“While we were in the classes, it didn’t seem like it was going to be that bad,” said Recruit Joshua D. Burton, guide, Platoon 3202. “When we ran into the chamber, all I could think of was how bad it was about to be.”
Drill instructors separated recruits into groups to enter the chamber.
During the event, drill instructors yell and get recruits moving quickly in order to cause chaos and confusion, explained 22-year-old Burton.
“When we were rushing into the chamber, I didn’t know what to think,” said Burton, a native of Denver. “They are probably trying to make it stressful and resemble combat stress.”
Recruits were required to perform three exercises while in the chamber. They shake their heads to demonstrate a correct seal of their mask, they conduct jumping jacks to elevate their heart rates and, the worst one, break the seal of the mask to expose their faces to the gas, explained Burton.
“I couldn’t breathe,” said Burton. “It felt like needles were in my throat, in my nose and on my skin. Each breath just hurt more and more.”
When each recruit’s mask was off of his face, they were told to place the masks back on and breath normally again.
Several recruits felt panic as the effects of the CS gas took its toll on their bodies, and just when the recruits thought that they were finished, they were told to take the masks off once again.
“The second time was much easier,” said Burton. “I knew what it had felt like which helped me compose myself.”
Before recruits were let out of the chamber, their instructor ensured they were comfortable in their abilities to use the mask.
Once India Company recruits passed the confidence chamber, they had less than 24 hours before they began the Crucible, a 54-hour test of endurance where recruits must conquer more than 30 obstacles while experiencing food and sleep deprivation. That is the last test the recruits faced before earning the title ‘Marine'.
“It’s extremely important that we learn this early on in our careers,” said Burton. “With chemical warfare evolving, you never know, so you have to be ready.”