MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Screams of agony filled the air May 10 as the Security Augmentation Force, composed of 33 Marines and Sailors from various units aboard the base, got sprayed in the face at the softball field near the Military Police Department.
The spray, oleoresin capsicum, also known as pepper spray, is used in training so law enforcement knows what it feels like to be sprayed and how to react after being sprayed.
“It’s like putting your face in a frying pan,” said Sgt. Kenneth Thornton, training noncommissioned officer, MPD. “The gas affects about 90 percent of the people immediately and it takes about an hour for the effects of the spray to start wearing off.”
The SAF also had to go through being sprayed as part of the course they were taking, said Thornton.
“The SAF is a contingency force that Brig. Gen. (Steven) Hummer (base commanding general), wants in place in case of a terrorist attack or if a major disaster hits the base,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Wilding, training chief, MPD. “They would be called in to help augment the (Provost Marshal’s Office) during such a time.”
The Marines and Sailors from SAF were either handpicked, or volunteered to undergo the training.
The SAF went through level one spraying, which was being sprayed directly in the face, remarked Thornton.
Level two is where the person is wiped with a rag sprayed with OC, and level three is where the spray is airborne.
The Marines and Sailors went through the “confidence course” by going through five stations with the spray remaining on their face and were led to each station by an escort.
Thornton said it usually takes about 15-20 seconds for each station if they do it correctly.
During the course, the students were first sprayed in the face for about three seconds at a minimum of 36 inches away. Any closer and there was a chance of the spray puncturing the eye, said Staff Sgt. Shelby Fields, the primary instructor of the course.
The first station was the blocking station. At this station, there were two Marines with striking pads who stood there and started attacking the trainee. The trainee had to block the strikes with his forearms while yelling for his attackers to get back.
After completing the first station, the student moved on to the second and third stations in which they punched one pad and performed knee strikes to the other.
The fourth station was the most difficult. Each student faced Cpl. Barry Walton, K-9 unit, in a “Red Man” protective suit. This pure red figure tested the SAF on how well they handled a target fighting against them. Each time the trainee forgot to put up their guard, he would bonk them on the head with a foam baton.
After their time was up with the Red Man, they went back to the blocking station, but this time the station had a little twist. As the trainee blocked the attacks from the two Marines, their escort came up from behind and grabbed for their pistol holstered at their side. When their pistol was grabbed, the trainees were to disengage their attackers, free their pistols and face the new threat.
The trainee then ordered their escort into the prone position, had them cross their legs, put their arms in the air and face away. The SAF members then arrested the attacker, and went down to a knee to call for help.
After they successfully completed the course, they were led to a detox area and were sprayed with water to help ease the pain from the spray.
The SAF class graduated Friday.