What was your experience in the gas chamber?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 11:26:26 -0400

I took this picture yesterday! My experience in basic was horrible! I flopped on the ground outside and was dry heaving, burping nothing but CS gas. My DS told me to "get my ass back in there". I stood up and just shook my head NO! He lost his shit but there was no way I would have done that again! Now I make sure I'm in there the whole time to see privates suck just as I did!

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Sep 6 at 2015 11:32 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 11:32:30 -0400

This was not pleasant...Every year going to the gas chamber, certainly not a highlight but necessary training to convince some to take care of their gear and know how to use it. Nothing was worse than unmasking, then donning and clearing whilst inside the chamber. Quite the snot fest. Someone always showed up with no filters in their mask. They paid the price.

Parris Island was worse as it was a chance for the Drill Instructors to get some pay back on all of us but a few were selected for remedial training.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Sep 6 at 2015 11:34 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 11:34:57 -0400

wohoo!
jumping jacks in a room full of CS!

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 6 at 2015 11:54 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 11:54:25 -0400

BTDT, found I much preferred the sea breeze off Waikiki Beach. Seems that is a right of passage in the military. 50 years of so later, you find it wasn't so bad.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Sep 6 at 2015 12:04 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 12:04:19 -0400

I've done some pretty bad things in my life, but nothing (so far) to earn the death penalty...

7:^D

I was a squid. Bubblehead. Every day on station was life in a confined space filled with the stench of hydraulic fluid, lube oil, diesel fuel, neutrons, chemicals like monoethylamine and, of course, the combined bodily odors of 126 men.

Not CS gas, but we had to wait WEEKS for fresh air..

And, for the Marines anf Air Cav kids reading this... you can't smell neutrons. That was a reading comprehension test. Did you pass?

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Sep 6 at 2015 12:20 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 12:20:49 -0400

A truly OUTSTANDING experience that I hope to hell I NEVER have to endure again!

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 6 at 2015 12:23 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 12:23:12 -0400

I survived it in boot camp and at Treasure Island in Damage Control Assistant School. It was not fun, that's for sure...

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 6 at 2015 12:32 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 12:32:17 -0400

Best Cure I've ever found for a Head Cold! Everyone gets the "Crud" a nasty cold that is the nuisance bane of Boot Camp. I got mine right towards the end and my head was full of mucus. Came out of there and I could breathe better then ever before in my life. Unfortunately the front of my Dungarees was covered with my own mucus. Pretty Gross!

Response by Sgt Jim H. made Sep 6 at 2015 12:38 PM

Sgt Jim H. — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 12:38:52 -0400

I went to MCRD San Diego. The gas chamber at Edson Range was the worst experience of boot camp and the Marines until I got OC sprayed at MSG School, which was just as bad.

I recall one of my drill instructors ordered another recruit to redo the gas chamber or get thrown out of the Marines. The recruit did it. I remember thinking, not No but Hell No will I do that again; kick me out.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Sep 6 at 2015 12:55 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 12:55:20 -0400

I was acted like a little girl and my RDC was hard core she stayed in there as the whole division did it with out her gas mask.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Sep 6 at 2015 12:55 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 12:55:57 -0400

The Gas Chamber experience at Parris Island was not too bad as long as you did exactly what you were told to do by the DIs.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 1:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 13:09:17 -0400

I remember being the second man in line with the first rank of Soldiers lined up. I look at the door, and within the dirt grime on the door, someone wrote with their finger "Yes you will puke." Then the door opens and I see this little room filled with lots of brown vapor floating in the air. They give is a Left Face and I see the pot cooking the powder, a window, and a red dot. Over the speaker, we are told to close out eyes and remove the masks. Then the command to open our eyes is given and for whatever reason, we all decided to try and breathe right at that moment. In between by coughing spasms, hukry jurky dancing around, I see DS faces laughing their butts off in the small room on the other side of the window. Then, they let us out into the fresh air. Once the whole company was ran through (and some had to go through twice) we got marched back to main base and went to the DFAC for lunch. A lot of people gave us a wide berth.

Response by SSgt Scott Schwerman made Sep 6 at 2015 1:18 PM

SSgt Scott Schwerman — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 13:18:54 -0400

Boot camp was horrible as the use many more capsules. In the fleet it's cake walk.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Sep 6 at 2015 1:29 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 13:29:18 -0400

I have been through the chamber a number of times ( i really don't know exactly how many) and never had much problem with it--eyes and nose ran a bit --that is about all.I have witnessed some that had a real problem with it.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 1:55 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 13:55:00 -0400

I was lucky enough to have always missed it. I didn't do anything to dodge it just plain lucky.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 6 at 2015 3:58 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 15:58:55 -0400

Worst case of sympathetic vomiting I've ever seen. I think one person started and by the end, we all were.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 6 at 2015 5:50 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 17:50:01 -0400

Somehow I missed that pleasure.

Response by SPC George Long made Sep 6 at 2015 6:00 PM

SPC George Long — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 18:00:25 -0400

I had a bit of experience with CS and CN prior to enlisting. I took basic at FT Bragg and while there were people who had terrible reactions to the stuff I Had been exposed to greater concentrations before that and while it was not pleasant I did not think it was that big a deal

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 7:08 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 19:08:58 -0400

It certainly wasn't the most pleasant experience in the world, but I wouldn't avoid it. Kind of want to do it again just for old times sake.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 7:10 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 19:10:02 -0400

Long overdue for these brave men.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 6 at 2015 7:32 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 19:32:22 -0400

The gas chamber sucked but it was not nearly as bad as some of the training that I had to take at later jobs to get certified to carry chemical spray. In law enforcement and security certification classes they use a combination of CS gas and pepper spray. That stuff hurts!

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Sep 7 at 2015 10:57 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 10:57:35 -0400

That was an interesting day.

Walking into the chamber I was expecting it to be foggy and I thought the effect of the gas would just be difficulty breathing, essentially choking you out like smoke. The MTI gave his instructions and activated the gas, I saw one little plume for a couple seconds and that was it, I was kind of surprised and figured it couldn't be that bad. We did the little exercises they told us to do without any issues, then started removing the gloves and hood. Now a lot of people say they can feel a tingling once they have exposed skin but I didn't feel a thing so again I felt it must not be bad. Then off came the mask. Oh my was that interesting. Our orders were to give our reporting statement and recite our social. I made it through the statement and the first two numbers and was done. I was definitely not expecting to feel the burning in my nose....and mouth.....and eyes. Not a very pleasant feeling. Made it out without hurling though and only a few seconds after exiting I felt fine for the most part. I did temporarily lose my mask eye glass inserts when I removed the mask. Found them in the dirt later which was good, I guess.

Response by Sgt Nick Marshall made Sep 7 at 2015 2:00 PM

Sgt Nick Marshall — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 14:00:16 -0400

In 9 years I think I only went in 2-3 times, I wear contact lenses and would be excused. I always dreaded it more than anything in the Corps, I'd rather do long humps with full kit.

Response by Sgt Nick Marshall made Sep 7 at 2015 2:01 PM

Sgt Nick Marshall — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 14:01:55 -0400

A desire to accomplish the mission, willing to let others lead, and willing to take the reins when it's needed.

Response by Sgt Nick Marshall made Sep 7 at 2015 2:03 PM

Sgt Nick Marshall — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 14:03:55 -0400

Agreed, standard can't change, or make all female infantry units.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Sep 8 at 2015 1:23 AM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 01:23:11 -0400

The smoke and gas hit my eyes and lungs as I was trying to answer the question I was asked as part of the exercise. I answered it wrong and the hit the door. I don't know if anyone but the recruit beside me noticed my mess up or not. Nobody tried to stop me. I couldn't see or breath right for several minutes after.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 3:13 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 15:13:18 -0400

It was fun! i felt the tingling, burning, got the runny nose and teary eyes but it was funny seeing other people freaked out....

Response by MSgt Joe Tafoya made Sep 9 at 2015 12:29 AM

MSgt Joe Tafoya — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 00:29:02 -0400

When I went through basic we had to recite our SSN forward and backward after we took our masks off before they would let us out of the chamber. Our 1st Sgt (who was missing fingers and parts of his legs from shrapnel from the 'Nam) thought it was the funniest thing to hold the door closed when they said we could leave. He was out there (about 5'8" and 160lbs and he called himself 'the redheaded chicken f--ker,) holding the door and laughing like a crazy man. We had one guy about 6'4" and about 250lbs who panicked and hit the door at about 250 MPH and knocked 1st Sgt Rose a-holes over elbows trying to get out. I never saw our 1st Sgt laugh so much. Tough bunch back then, ha.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 10 at 2015 4:38 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 04:38:29 -0400

Luckily(?) I missed out on the gas chamber. I went to Great Lakes, IL during the winter for Navy Boot Camp and supposedly it was "too cold" to go through so my entire company was excused.

Response by Cpl Robert Clark made Sep 10 at 2015 1:42 PM

Cpl Robert Clark — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 13:42:05 -0400

aside from the snot faucet my nose became, it wasn't all that bad... not like I miss it tho.

Response by SGT Felicia King made Oct 1 at 2015 11:26 PM

SGT Felicia King — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 23:26:22 -0400

A lot of snot.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 11:27 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 23:27:32 -0400

When I was in Security Police, we had to go through the gas chamber periodically (I think annually, but I could be wrong). The first time the instructor said we had to take off our masks to "get the experience" of being exposed to the gas, I told him I would take his word for it. He wasn't amused. I hated the gas chamber!

Response by SPC James Anderson made Aug 21 at 2016 4:14 PM

SPC James Anderson — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 16:14:06 -0400

I was one of the lucky ones, coughing, irritated eyes and a'lot of snot, it didnt effect me nearly as much as most guys and I recovered from it very quickly. It may have been coincidence but my respiratory infection in Basic seemed to vanish with the gas! Volunteered to help run some gas chambers when i was active, it was so much fun watching the numerous effects this stuff had on so many people.

Response by SPC Brian Johnston made Aug 21 at 2016 4:51 PM

SPC Brian Johnston — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 16:51:46 -0400

Didn't know there was that much mucus in the human body. Found out it hurts to run into trees due to not being able to see. Did it in the army and corrections officer training. Wasn't fun but not too horrible either.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2016 4:59 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 16:59:41 -0400

I would choose the gas chamber over OC spray any day!!!

Response by SPC Joe Coats made Aug 21 at 2016 5:21 PM

SPC Joe Coats — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 17:21:06 -0400

I remember thinking they're no way there's that much snot in my sinuses, but there was. Lol

Response by Lt Col Paul Maxwell made Aug 21 at 2016 5:23 PM

Lt Col Paul Maxwell — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 17:23:30 -0400

It sucked when I was Army, still sucked when I was USAF, and yes, I did learn to have confidence in my mask and MOPP suit.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2016 5:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 17:33:44 -0400

My experience was great but, I had a battle buddy PVT Burns who didn't fare so well. It was like out of a scary movie where the minority dies first. Once he entered the gas chamber he tried running out. The Drill Sergeants kept him in he managed to get out and leave his pro mask in the chamber. As the rest of us was coming out we all could hear him yelling trying to escape he fell on the floor near the exit door ledge grilling the door frame. Snot tears vomit all over himself it was picture perfect he saw the rest of us and yelled help as he was being dragged back into the chamber.

Response by SPC Dave Tannehill made Aug 21 at 2016 5:51 PM

SPC Dave Tannehill — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 17:51:22 -0400

Lots of snot, and burning eyes.

Response by SFC Garry Kolberg made Aug 21 at 2016 6:39 PM

SFC Garry Kolberg — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 18:39:59 -0400

The first time wasn't so hot. I didn't have the mask properly sealed. Learned my lesson then. The worse part was having to take the mask off when they said to exit the building.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2016 7:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 19:31:21 -0400

I find the guidelines for CS in a training environment is ALWAYS ignored! It is used as hazing. The fact that you suffered a snow enjoy watching others suffer is the definition of toxic leadership.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2016 7:39 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 19:39:38 -0400

My drill sergeants made the people who hold the CBRN job go through four times and it sucked but now CS gas doesn't really bother me.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Aug 21 at 2016 7:53 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 19:53:23 -0400

I , ah, suddenly remembered I had chronic bronchitis as a kid sitting in the bleachers pre gassing. The DIs asked... I remembered. The only thing in my life I ever got over on. But it was true I did as a kid.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Aug 21 at 2016 8:10 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 20:10:38 -0400

It's so far back in my memory I almost forget,I said almost,it sucked!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2016 8:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 20:33:53 -0400

The gas never bothered me too much, and it did prove that masks work. I do have a funny (sort of) story about my experience at Ft. Jackson. We were told to exit the chamber and make a sharp left and move to a hill and face downwind to clear our eyes. I was standing there and someone kicked open the door and started running straight out of the chamber and hit a tree face first. When he turned around he had snot from his nose to his toes. If that was not bad enough, the DI's had a field day with him for improperly exiting the chamber. Adding insult to injury, he had to do the gas chamber all over again.

Response by PO3 John Keas made Aug 21 at 2016 10:05 PM

PO3 John Keas — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 22:05:22 -0400

Snot Box was one of the most fun times I had in boot. I watched every "Tough" guy in my company say how easy it was going to be. Bragging out easy it would be. Every single one of them crying like little babies on the way out. Snot and tears pouring out like faucets turned on high.

I was in an integrated company in Orlando back in 93. The females in my company fared better than most of the males...but some of them were even crying. I was by no means unaffected, but I was too busy laughing my ass off to cry about it. Sure, I had to do pushups for laughing at my shipmates suffering, but it was so worth it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2016 11:36 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 23:36:29 -0400

I was worried, until I entered and then realized that being a smoker had its advantage in there.

I was able to breathe fine until I got cocky and inhaled through my nose. The pain was like the wrath of Attilla the Hun wreaking havoc on my sinuses.

After walking out, with snot running from my nose to the ground, I looked over at another recruit and said "it really wasn't that bad!"

Response by SSG John Jensen made Aug 22 at 2016 12:56 AM

SSG John Jensen — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 00:56:30 -0400

I missed the chamber in basic because of something medical, however I got it in the testing stage of basic, and my mask was leaking, learned real fast - shallow breathing and blinking a lot- told the DI that I was fine, and passed the test. Months later doing land nav where others were doing BNCOC with ambushes and CS, running thru area with that peppery smell, my partner panicked and ran back, the wrong way. A coupla years later, Bn FTX, as the various Co.s raided each other D Co raided us with home-made CS, smoke grenades with heat tabs poured in thru the hole in the bottom, I'm standing there, holding the weapons of four guys tackling a member of the raiding party, when up walks the CO, all decked out, full uniform, full LBE, and Mask, I'm standing there, jungle cammie pants unbloused with bootstrings wrapped and tied not laced, t-shirt and holding 5 M16s while the others are holding this D Co guy down. The CO asks me why aren't I wearing my mask, I answer "why Sir" , he replies "can't you smell it?" I replied "Yes, Sir" he never bothered me again, I just can't understand it.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 22 at 2016 7:45 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 07:45:41 -0400

Brought tears to my eyes, but I survived it, helped clear my lungs. Funny watching some of the guys come out of it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2016 8:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 08:21:12 -0400

Ft Sill in Aug, MOPP 4 sweating my but off. Pulled that mask of and got the surprise of my life. Then the DS said sing.......
Years later back at Sill I was assigned NBC NCO as an additional duty in a PSB, (Post Support Battery) I got to run that chamber so often I didn't need a mask. also knew where to stand and where not to.

Response by LCpl Brian Goddard made Aug 22 at 2016 10:37 AM

LCpl Brian Goddard — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 10:37:34 -0400

We had to yearly trips to the CS chamber and one time while we were in there the gas was so thick it was like a fog, the instructor asked if everyone was ok. Some poor bastard 3 guys down from me was frantically waving his arm. Turns out he did not have his filters in his mask. He was just sucking the gas right on in.

Response by SPC Dawn Appelberg (Johnson) made Aug 22 at 2016 2:29 PM

SPC Dawn Appelberg (Johnson) — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 14:29:26 -0400

I went through basic at Lackland. Yeah yeah we all have heard of Disneyland. Only my Ti (DI) was not AF. He was retired Marine who wanted to ensure his troops were not glorified .....kitties, We went into the chamber joking about the banana oil we would have. SSG Candelerio had other plans. We walked into the box, and when told to take off our helmets and recite our full name and social took a big wihiff of OMG THIS IS THE REAL DEAL. Panic, puke, snot, begging and I am sure a few dirty drawers occurred. He had made sure instead of half a tablet of the weak stuff we had a full of the real deal It was awesome in hindsight.

Because of his handling we were the only flight (Platoon) which, when it came time to practice on the tarmac for parade, and both of our TIs had been bent over by CQ and were late, went out and did our stuff anyways. Even had a TI or two stop their troops to ask Whiskey Tango and our response was "WITH OR WITHOUT OUR COMMAND WE WILL COMPLETE THE MISSION." He taught us that.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Aug 22 at 2016 2:48 PM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 14:48:54 -0400

A funny thing about that-In 1978 when I went through basic at Ft Dix NJ I was on KP when everyone in my platoon went through. I was told I would make it up at some point but it never happened during basic. Since then I've gone through a couple times but the chemicals were rather weak-guess I missed a memorable experience!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2016 5:09 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 17:09:43 -0400

Basic training Fort Jackson, SC, June 1986. - My squad is lined up in the Gas Chamber in MOPP 4.
Drill Sergeant walks up to the first guy and tells him to take off his mask to get a dose of CS.
The last guy in line thinks he was talking to everyone, so he takes off his mask too.
He had to wait his turn.

Response by LTC Gerald Chernicoff made Aug 23 at 2016 5:23 AM

LTC Gerald Chernicoff — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 05:23:33 -0400

I was OIC at Fort Sill. To inspire the men, I would walk in without a mask and talk to the men to calm them down. Dumb I know, and silly Bravado, but it did calm down those men down.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 3:41 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 15:41:55 -0400

boot camp navy went thru twice, i was exposed very early with cs, and sort of got used to it, never smile while leaving the chamber, you will get a second trip

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2016 4:34 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 16:34:42 -0400

My experience was that I have more snot in me than I gave myself credit for. Outstanding Photo!

Response by CSM Michael Sweeney made Aug 25 at 2016 4:17 PM

CSM Michael Sweeney — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 16:17:20 -0400

As a Senior Drill Sgt in a basic training unit I would order Chili Mac in abundance on CS Chamber day. I let the trainees have as much as they wanted. The exercise was right after lunch. I learned that a lot of them knew Chuck.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2016 4:25 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 16:25:03 -0400

We had 9 capsules for 20 people. You could CLEARLY see the gas in the air, and the millisecond you broke seal, your face started to melt. we endured (most of us were sure we would die before we made it out of the chamber hahahaha) and sucked it up, knowing that this is as realistic as is legal to a true CBRN attack. But boy, I thought my face would never be a normal color again. We lost vision, taste and smell. We got out of the chamber only by the sounds of the gagging outside and the feel of the man in front of us. I have no clue how the first two guys made it out of there on their own.