FORT KNOX, Ky.- Advance Camp 3rd Regiment braved it out in the Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear (CBRN) gas chamber June 12, as part of the Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Cadets exit the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) chamber. While in the CBRN chamber Cadets are exposed to CS gas which causes mild irritation to the eyes, and runny noses. June 12 at Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo by Amber Vincent)
Cadets learn the importance of their equipment before they head into the CBRN chamber. They learn the different hazardous gases they may face in the combat zone.
“CBRN helps us learn the resilience of ourselves and to see how far we can push our bodies,” Cadet Catherine Gimbert, Dickinson College, McCain, Virginia. “It causes us to trust our equipment.”
Cadets also learned the first aid procedures for when they are in a chemically contained environment.
“We primarily have the Cadets do these type of exercises to boost their confidence in their equipment but also themselves,” Lt. Col. Collin Keenan, University of Minnesota Army ROTC, 3rd Regiment Executive Officer (XO).
Though going through the CBRN chamber is not part of the required exercises to graduate, Cadets must pass the small but important tests of putting their gas mask on in under nine seconds, as well as putting on their full Joint Serves Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST) suits and their Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear.
“The Cadets that can put their mask and MOPP gear on correctly the first time can still be in the running for RECONDO,” said Keenan. “ RECONDO is the elite Cadets
Cadet Swayer Linke, University of Montana, exits the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) chamber during training. While in the CBRN chamber, Cadets are exposed to CS gas. June 12 at Fort Knox, Ky. (Photo by Amber Vincent)
that have done all of the tests and have excelled in them.”
Cadets are only in the CBRN chamber for a minute or two, its causes mild effects like irritated skin, red eyes and runny noses.
“The equipment that is used in a real world combat zone, CBRN gas and weapons, are prevalent especially on the battle field,” said Cadet Matthew Johnson, Virginia Military Institute, Chester, Virginia.
CBRN gas chamber training is important for the Cadets to learn. The skills they have acquired during the summer training will help them to recognize and be able to properly protect themselves and others, should the Cadets ever find themselves in a chemically toxic environment.
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
