Honestly, how bad is the gas chamber?

Itshamrtym · May 11, 2008

hold on a minute! it says on the u.s. army site that medical personnel don't have to do basic training. they just have to attend certain classes and pass the physical fitness test that the enlisted folks do. you really have to do all that other stuff??

you have to do oblc. it used to be only 2 weeks, and then last year they changed it to i think around 9??? this is very serious stuff... check out this site for a lot of info on oblc... i havn't went, but from what i gather it is like boot camp on steriods, with a lot of academics. (power points, ect)..... sorry to disapoint you. the army hasn't updated some of their sites about this. well good luck and take care.

scout2505 · May 11, 2008

Not to burst anyone's bubble, but OBLC is nothing compared to enlisted basic training. I haven't been to OBLC yet, but I have been to basic training as an infantry soldier at Ft. Benning, GA. OBLC is a good introduction to what enlisted soldiers go through, but only at a fraction of what they actually are enduring.

Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN · May 12, 2008

Just be glad that you do not have to combat training in a gas chamber/hogans alley. I have done that a few tinmes when I was in with no mask on. We had to enter the building and clear the rooms of terrorists and save hostages sometimes engaging in hand to hand combat training with no masks on or they would get ripped off and the rooms would be full of CS. By the time we were done with that we would be ouking our guts out then just for fun do a 5 mile run. Thank god no more of that for me. (back in the day when I was a big bad spec ops warrior.)

p.s. You will survive it. Just do as your instructor says.

MCB43076 · May 15, 2008

Just wanted to find out from all of you who have lived through it? How long do you have to stay in there? I saw a couple of videos on youtube and it was hard to watch at some points....

It is worse if you get all worked up for weeks and weeks before hand. I have been through many times. I spent 4 years active duty in the Marine Corps infantry (2/4 Echo company) and we did it about annually or maybe a little more often. Pepper spray is way worse. Just stay calm, and take small shallow breaths. If you nose starts to run, don't sniff your drainage back up into your nose. I know it sounds sick but that mucous will be covered with CS gas (it looks like barb wire microscopically) and will burn your nose. You will be in for a few minutes. It is basically a drill to give you confidence that your gas mask will work. If you really want to watch something disturbing check you tube for "nerve gas test goat". I watched a lot of films like this in NBC (nuclear biological and chemical def.) school in the late 90s. This is what happens when your gas mask doesn't work after your unit is hit with a chemical weapon. I read someone elses post and they are right, if you go in first you will get out earlier. It is most stressfull the first time, i was no different. Remember, it's just trianing. :up:

oxford4447 · May 22, 2008

This may sound like an idiotic question...but what about wearing contacts? Should you wear glasses on that day, do they let you change into your glasses? Does the residue stick?

Thanks! I am getting ready for summer OBC and really starting to overthink everything!

-kim

MCB43076 · May 22, 2008

I wouldn't wear contacts. The instructors probably won't even let you. Change you clothes as soon as it is feasable. It isn't really a residue, more like a dust. When you are in the chamber the gas is really just a haze that you see. It isn't really oily or anything, kinda like smoke that burns.

Maybe you could let me know how OBC goes. I am being "boarded" right now. I had to get one paper to update/clarify my packet and that was it. I should know by next week if I am selected (according to my recruiter). I am interested in how similar or dissimilar it is to boot camp.

patoyia · May 24, 2008

Silly question about the contacts...

One of my prof told me when he was in the army (forever ago) that he was issued ugly army glasses that he had to wear. Does that still happen? I know that was a long time ago prob before contacts and he was enlisted but he said he wasn't allowed to wear his regular glasses.

MCB43076 · May 24, 2008

I don't wear glasses myself but I think guys were issued them in boot camp. Not for sure. I know that for inspections they had to wear their issue glasses and not something they purchased themselves. I don't think it is extremely strict when it comes to what frames you wear. Don't know for sure though. Contacts are fine I believe.

crazylilkelly · May 27, 2008

i believe, back when i did the chamber, that you couldn't wear contacts & ppl who had glasses on had to take them off. when you go to the desert you get a special type of UGLY goggle-like glasses that has a strap which goes around your head. This way, the gas mask seal isn't compromised....otherwise it's pointless to even have it donned, especially in a real life situation. Remember, the whole point of doing the gas chamber is to learn to use & trust your gas mask. You'll be fine & have a "fun" memory when it's over!

I went to navy boot camp & I remember the instructors telling us that if we needed to puke we had to puke inside our shirts so we didn't get their floor dirty. Honestly, at that point I didn't care how it was going to feel or how much snot would run down my face...i just focused on not puking!!!!! lol.

BlueRidgeHomeRN · May 27, 2008

contacts are fine i believe.

not only no, but hay-el no!!! :nono:

cs gets under the lens....

its not a fun experience to go thru, but if you heed the suggestions here and make sure you have an empty stomach, you'll be fine!! :twocents:

MCB43076 · May 27, 2008

I wasn't talking about inside the gas chamber. We were talking about military dress in general. Look at earlier posts please.

crazylilkelly · May 27, 2008

I wasn't talking about inside the gas chamber. We were talking about military dress in general. Look at earlier posts please.

whoops, sorry.