Reserve Marines conduct advanced CBRN training

Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialists from across Marine Forces Reserve conducted advanced CBRN training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, Nov. 17, 2015.

The training events were part of a week-long Advanced Consequence Management course held Nov. 16 – 20 designed to teach the CBRN defense specialists more advanced skill sets.

“This course gives leaders the opportunity to send Marines into an unknown environment to determine what is happening and how to respond to the situation,” said Sgt. Robert N. Potenziani, ACM student and CBRN defense chief with Detachment A, Marine Wing Support Squadron-472, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.

The day’s scenarios involved the release of anhydrous ammonia and chlorine gas, both substances that pose a serious threat when released in a human environment. In each scenario, the Marines had to determine which gas was present in order to decide how much gear and protection they needed in order to accomplish their mission.

“We use three types of suits, the level A, level B, and level C,” said Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Roach, ACM student and CBRN defense specialist with CBRN platoon, Combat Logistics Regiment 4, 4th Marine Logistics Group. “Each of these suits provides different levels of protection.”

Although the level A suit provides the highest level of protection, it can limit mobility and affect the amount of time the Marines can remain down range.

“The level A utilizes a self-contained breathing apparatus, which can run for approximately 45 minutes,” Roach said. “The level B and C use a powered air-purifying respirator, which can run indefinitely.”

In both scenarios, the Marines found they could downgrade from the level A to the level B or C in order to better respond to the situation.

Complicating the scenarios even further, the Marines discovered simulated casualties in the training environment.

“Once you find a casualty, it becomes a priority to get that person out of the hazard area,” Potenziani said. “If they still show signs of life, you need to get them decontaminated and transported to medical personnel in order to stabilize their vital signs.”

In addition, the Marines conducted their first scenario during the day and the second one at night, which increased the difficulty of locating casualties.

“With our training and readiness standards, we want the Marines to be able to operate in any type of environment,” said Sgt. Victor Quintana, ACM instructor and equipment chief and training NCO for MARFORRES. “That means being able to conduct the operation in a low-light area with limited visibility.”

With the various factors in play, the Marines faced a multitude of challenges that required them to build cohesiveness and come together as a team.

“The more time they put in together, the more cohesive they become,” Quintana said. “They figure out who is good at what tasks, and how to best utilize the other Marines in their team.”

By conducting this training, the Marines were able to update their skills and remain relevant and ready to respond to future crises.

“It's a very good thing for us to be able to come out here and get this hands-on training,” Potenziani said. “These Marines can go back to their units and show that we are more than just a war-time unit. We are capable of a global response to any type of material incident like this.”