Posted on Dec 19, 2016

Gas Chamber – Possibly The Most Feared Event At Air Force Basic Training

TSgt Joe C.

21K

87

31

15

0

One of the main jobs we had while stationed down at USAF BMT was to train the trainees on wearing their JSLIST and M-50 protective masks properly prior to going into the mask confidence training facility (aka the tear gas chamber). You can also see my name on the wall around the 54 second mark. SSgt Joe "Grumpy Cat" Cullinan, Feb 2010 - Mar 2014. Emergency Management, the 3E9X1 career field training future leaders of the Air Force!

I'll put the photo I took before I left that assignment in a bit.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs COL Lee Flemming LTC Stephen F. LTC (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas SGT Robert George SFC William Farrell SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL ] PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SrA Christopher Wright SGT John " Mac " McConnell SPC Margaret Higgins TSgt Steve Waide SSgt (Join to see) SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM

Posted in these groups: D48af888

Airmen BMT trainee 91516239

3E9X1: Emergency Management 20bff225

JBSA-Lackland

Posted 8 y ago

Responses: 13

7

0

TSgt Joe C.

Posted 8 y ago

Here is the photo I mentioned earlier.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs COL Lee Flemming LTC Stephen F. LTC (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas SGT Robert George SFC William Farrell SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL ] PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SrA Christopher Wright SGT John " Mac " McConnell SPC Margaret Higgins TSgt Steve Waide SSgt (Join to see) SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM

(7)

Comment

(0)

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth

8 y

Nice piece of graphety.

(2)

Reply

(0)

6

0

Capt Tom Brown

Posted 8 y ago

The gas chamber will always remain a memorable experience in basic training. I became very proficient at donning the 'gas mask' which probably still remains with me to this day should one become necessary.

(6)

Comment

(0)

5

0

Maj Marty Hogan

Posted 8 y ago

I came in before they did this at BMT- did it the first time at my base. Still fear it... not sure why either. Kinda like going to the dentist maybe TSgt Joe C.

(5)

Comment

(0)

TSgt Joe C.

8 y

I'm no fan of the dentist, lol. I had to go through this in BMT; also had to do it at tech school too. Got to work with live VX and Sarin in tech school at Ft Leonard Wood, MO. Probably why I don't mind the tear gas anymore.

(3)

Reply

(0)

SSgt (Join to see)

8 y

Volunteer to do the rotations in the chamber. Conquer your fear. I got to a point I could stay in the chamber for 15-20 minutes at a time with no mask on, yelling at Marines the whole time. Would do this for as long as it took to get 100-200 Marines re-qualed each year. Probably 6 hours straight (with lunch in there somewhere). Yes, still irritates. Does not cripple, does not make me puke anymore, have to take a good cool shower with soap later to get rid of all the itchy patches. But absolutely worth it to keep your marbles and ignore the conditions!

(2)

Reply

(0)

SSG Robert "Rob" Wentworth

5 y

Did it in ‘72 BCT, and still remember the “drools” ... I will let your imagination run wild for a second...
Short & Sweet tho’.... Outta there in about 90 sec or so....

(1)

Reply

(0)

Show More Comments

Gas Chamber – Possibly The Most Feared Event At Air Force Basic Training

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.