16 Feb. 2010—The one thing I learned today is that breathing in gas really gels the unit together. Today was the gas chamber so after PT at 5:50 we had to show up at 9 to go to the chambers. Once there, we had 4 different 45 minute stations about detecting chemical/ biological/ radioactive/ or nuclear agents, maintaining and cleaning your mask, decontaminating yourself and gear, and how to properly wear your protective gear.

After that, we got to enjoy our MRE’s and sit in the sun (as today was ridiculously cold). Luckily the vegetarian lasagna tasted exactly like spaghetti so I got it down. I usually pack a sandwich too just as a midafternoon snack as you can get hungry being out there so long. We stripped down to just our ACU’s, no gloves, no patches, no hats and some of us got masks (others had to wait for some to come out and clean theirs).

When it was finally our turn, ten would go into the chamber at a time with masks on. We ran around in a circle for about 30 seconds and a few others and me were cheering and laughing it up as the mask helped filter everything. Then we had to break the seal, put the mask back on, clear the agent out, and continue to exercise (jumping jacks). Some of my friends had trouble getting a good seal again and therefore breathed in a lot more than I did. After that we got into a line, took the mask completely off and had to yell our name and numbers out before we could exit. I got through my name before my voice sounded like I was a 95 year old smoker.

Once out, everyone cheers but you cant really see it as your eyes are watering like crazy and burning. your skin is on fire, you have snot running down your face, and you are coughing. Because the agent sticks to you, you cant rub your eyes (and believe me you want to). After about 5 minutes the effects had warn off and everyone was laughing. I don’t think anyone puked but there were some awesome stories. One of the prior service guys who is about 40 and a former ranger (real bad ass) walked through the chamber and out like it was nothing, he probably enjoyed being out of the cold and in the chamber more than being outside! Afterwards, everyone had a great bond...there is something about seeing someone at their worst (snot running, coughing, red eyes, skin burning) that brings you closer together. Considering the effects only lasted about 5 minutes at the most, it was a lot of fun and a good laughing experience!