FORT KNOX, Ky.—Advanced Camp 2nd Regiment’s Charlie Company took on the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) chamber on Friday, June 9.
“The propose of the training today is to give the future leaders of the Army confidence in the Army’s equipment. It’s not just the CBRN equipment, it’s all of the Army’s equipment, just to let them know that the Army gives us the best equipment in the world.” said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Nedoroscik, 3rd Calvary Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.
Nedoroscik is a range safety officer (RSO) working to ensure that the Cadets remained safe during their training, especially when they underwent the CBRN training gas chamber.
“CS is considered an irritant [mildly irritant gas] that comes in a tablet form, when the powder burns, it releases particles in the air which restricts breathing and tears up their eyes.” said Nedoroscik.
Staff Sgt. Michael Bourgo, Vancouver,WA, inspects Cadet Justin Chang, Southern Methodist Univ., of Dallas, TX during preperation for the CBRN chamber
Cadets spent two hours the night prior and two hours the morning of CBRN training preparing. Even though most of the Cadets will not become chemical officers in the future, they are still required to go through the chamber because it is mandatory for all future Army officers.
“We run them through the chamber, ensure to them that their mask and equipment does work. They go in verifying that they can see, breathe, move and function in their gear. Then we have them remove that gear to prove that it is actually a contaminated environment and that their gear is working.” said Staff Sgt. Michael Bourgo, instructor, Vancouver, Washington.
Cadet Brendan Giouard, Villanova University, of Chicago, Illinois, had been through the CBRN chamber last year when he was here for Basic Camp. He appreciated being given confidence in his equipment functioning properly and that he had a much more positive experience going through the CBRN chamber this year.
CS gas causes tearing of the eyes, restricted breathing and typically leaves most Cadets with sinus drainage.
“Throughout the rest of the training, I’m really looking forward to growing with my platoon and really to see how effective I am as a leader and to see how my peers are as leaders through this.” said Giouard.
Most Cadets entered the CBRN chamber with determination and exited as conquerors with cleared sinuses.
Cadet Summer Training will bring 8,200 Cadets through Basic and Advanced Camp this summer on Fort Knox. These camps are designed to help challenge, grow and improve various skills and leadership qualities within the Cadets. If you think you have what it takes to be a Cadet or if you are interested in a job after college click the following link: https://my.goarmy.com/info/rotc1/index.jsp?iom=IP08-AUTO-R1NA-BR-XXX-XX-XXX-MO-XX-X-BRCMAC:IP08
