Photo By Darryl Orrell | A Sailor engages the defensive tactics instructor after being exposed to oleoresin...... read more read more
Taking a deep breath and eyes pressed tightly shut, a Sailor performed an about-face. His face tightened at the sound of his instructor shouting “O.C-O.C-O.C,” which was followed by a stream of "pepper" spray across his forehead and then the battle was on.
This exercise is a frequent scene for students and instructors at the Center for Security Forces Detachment Chesapeake where Sailors learn the skills needed to be members of a security reaction force. The school is located on the Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in the most southern part of the city of Chesapeake.
The letters “O” and “C” stand for oleoresin capsicum, which is a non-lethal chemical agent that works as an eye irritant. The common term used is pepper spray because the source material comes from an oily resin found in a variety of peppers. It induces a stinging pain and profuse tearing of the eyes to impair vision on a temporary basis.
“This “OC” training gives Sailors the realization of what it feels like,” said Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Joseph Christos, an instructor at the school. “They also learn the effects of it so if they have to spray someone else, they know it’s going to be an effective tool to use.”
Christos further pointed out that the experience builds confidence by showing Sailors how they can fight through the effects so if they encounter such a situation in the real world, they can prevail.
The Sailor, unable to rub his eyes, kept his head down and rapidly blinked to ease the sting as he zigzagged his way to take on the first of five aggressors. He successfully defended himself against the first four, but it was the fifth that proved to be the most arduous.
Exhausted with sweat pouring down his face along with the rising mid-summer temperature, the Sailor engages his last opponent – the defensive tactics instructor.
The defensive tactics instructor wears protective padded gear that covers the body from head to toe. This gear allows students to engage the opponent physically and apply the defensive and offensive tactics they have learned.
The Sailor’s arm grew heavy with each strike of his baton, and he tried to grab hold of the instructor's arm to subdue him but the instructor remained allusive. As he rallied his strength, the Sailor interlocked the instructor's left arm with his baton and using a control hold takedown, he subdued the instructor and passed the test.
“After hearing all the stories about how much it’s going to burn and how much it’s going to hurt, you can’t help but be a little apprehensive about (the test),” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Tyler Downs, a student in the class. “The spray is worse than mace and all I could do was run my hands through my hair, take a deep breath and fight through it.”
Chief Master-at-Arms Megan Peterson said, “Any Sailor who needs to come through this class, this is really good training. It’s good to know what OC is going to be like if you ever have to use it or if you’re ever sprayed with it.”
The U.S. Navy Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 23,000 students each year. It has 14 training locations across the United States and around the world “Where Training Breeds Confidence.”
| Date Taken: | 07.18.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.23.2019 14:24 |
| Story ID: | 332634 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 234 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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