Honor, Courage, Commitment

by Leahy, John F.

  Jason Burger, 19, Holmesville, Pennsylvania

  My stepfather had gone through it, and he told me all about it.

  Andre Grayer, 19, Orange Park, Florida

  I never thought anything about it. It was like any other day. Just another day in RTC.

  Jackson I was looking forward to it, actually. I wanted to see all the people spitting and throwing up and stuff.

  Jones I thought most of us females woke up pretty motivated to do it. I sort of took it as, well, it’s going to suck, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it.

  Recruit folklore was full of suggestions for how best to handle the experience. Some recommended puppy-breaths (shallow rapid breathing), others had foolproof schemes for where to stand, how to conduct themselves with the instructors, and how to minimize the irritation caused by the CS gas. One constant theme ran through the folklore, though—it was the height of folly to eat anything you didn’t want to see again later that day.

  Bruce Well, I didn’t eat any ice cream or dairy products at lunch. I figured I might see ’em again later that afternoon, and I didn’t want to do that.

  Freeman Heck, I ate everything they had for lunch. I was hungry after the morning!

  Kelly I didn’t change the way I ate at all. I figured, if I was going to throw up, it’s better to have something, than to have the dry heaves and all.

  Fortunately, there was much to distract the recruits during the morning. After a short forward IG conducted by Chief Zeller and Petty Officer Kent, the division adjourned to Drill Hall 1000 for the drill portion of their second TSTA inspection. The ninety-minute drill period passed quickly, and the recruits cheered when they learned that they had scored a perfect 5.0 on the important event. In addition to winning the coveted drill flag, they were particularly pleased to learn that they had beaten their archrival, Division 006, by 0.3 points. Chief Zeller was ecstatic.

  “Gas chamber is a ‘danger day’ for a division,” Chief Zeller recounted later. “Generally, we bring all three RDCs on line that morning, and stay with them until they have completed the course. Recruits are under a lot of pressure, anyway, and the additional stress of facing the gas chamber—and all the rumors and stories that surround it—makes it tougher. Recruits have been known to freak out, or attempt to go UA, or refuse to train on that day. So, winning the drill flag, and beating brother division—well, that got their minds off it a little, I guess.”

  Hopkins Well, to be honest, I didn’t think much about it all morning. Like, I knew we were going, because Scorsone had marked it on the chalkboard, but I was concentrating on the drill test, and getting all my commands right. We were on our way to chow when I remembered what we were going to do that afternoon.

  Stamp I wasn’t sure what the heck was going on. I had seen “Confidence Chamber” on the board, and I thought, cool, we’re going to run the confidence course again. I always enjoyed the obstacles, and it wasn’t till we were at chow that I heard someone whispering in the line about the gas chamber. Then it hit me.

  After chow at Galley 928, the recruits started the long march to the Confidence Chamber, located at the far northern end of the base. They had time to ponder their fate during the mile-long march northward. One recruit, who asked not to be identified in this context, said: “I really didn’t want to do this. I had dreaded this all along. The closer I got, the less I wanted to go. When we got right by the gate, before we went down the tunnel, I looked around to see if the gate guard was paying attention. If I ever wanted to go UA, that was about it.”

  Freeman When we were going through the tunnel to go over there, I had butterflies in my stomach and my hands were sweating and stuff, but when we got into the classroom I was okay.

  The recruits arrived, and filed into the classroom. DCC(SW)* Pam Besaw, who had been with them earlier in the week, was their instructor.

  Grayer We got in the classroom, and I started getting this nervous feeling—not scared or nothing but, like, I’m somewhere where I don’t want to be.

  Much of what Chief Besaw had to say to the recruits was neatly summarized in their Bluejacket’s Manual and the course notes that accompany it. “These days, it’s likely that our enemies might resort to what we now call unconventional weapons,” she began. “In the Navy, we call these CBR weapons, which means chemical, biological, or radiation devices. While these are all different in many ways, the ways that we defend against them, particularly chemical and biological weapons, are similar. Even if you are standing at ground zero—right next to the device that lets the biological or chemical agents loose—you can still protect yourself from danger if you have the right equipment, know how to use it, and keep your head. But you have to believe in it—believe that it will work and will protect you—or you are liable to panic at a time when you need to remain clear-headed. That’s what today is all about.”

  Chief Besaw demonstrated the MCU-2P gas mask, the micro-filters of which will protect the wearer against almost any airborne pathogen or chemical agent. In combination with the chemical protective outer garment (the CPO suit) a sailor can work in close proximity to deadly gases for up to six hours. The recruits witnessed a demonstration of the proper way to don the CPO suit, and Chief Besaw showed them how to function in the uncomfortable and unwieldy garment. “It’s a real drag, no doubt about it” came the muffled comment from within the protective covering. “But so is getting KIA [killed in action].”

  A team of instructors assisted each recruit individually, to ensure a clean and snug fit for the demonstration masks. Chief Besaw continued: “When you get to the chamber area, there will be masks hanging on hooks on the port-side wall. They are graded as small, medium and large. I don’t want any recruit to leave this classroom till he or she is sure—absolutely sure—what size they need to wear. A loose, floppy mask won’t do you any good, and one that is too small will hinder your vision and may cut off your breathing. Get this right, people!”

  Ward At this point, I looked around, and noticed everyone was getting nervous, like. Even the dudes who were saying “no big deal” all day. Me, I just wanted to get it over with.

  There were a few instances of comic relief. EN2(SW)* Jack Linsey was the duty emergency medical technician for the day. Relieving Chief Besaw at the podium, he began a long litany of ailments that would disqualify a recruit from participating in the event. Delivered with sardonic good humor, and an increasing air of wonderment, the list mainly included disabilities that would not only disqualify a recruit from the gas chamber, but would likely have the person in the intensive care ward.

  “Okay, anyone missing a lung? No? Okay, anyone here have a glass eye? If so, take it out. Anyone allergic to eggs or milk?” Several recruits happily raised their hands. “Too bad, no eggs or milk are used in the manufacture of this gas. Next!”

  On a more serious note, Linsey warned the recruits that the CS agent used would fuse contact lenses to the surface of the eye, and while contact lenses were not permitted at recruit training, some recruits had been known to smuggle them in and use them to correct defective vision. “If you can’t see too good now, just imagine how you’ve going to see if the lens gets welded to your eyeballs, eh? If you’ve got them in, don’t be afraid to be seen taking them out. Otherwise, we’ll be glad to take them out for you, over in the eye surgery unit of the naval hospital.”

  Jones Well, you won’t believe this: I was so tired that I fell asleep during the class. I figured, we’re going to have to do it anyway, so what the heck. I know that’s hard to believe, but I wasn’t the only one. So I’m like, dozing, and after I woke up that EMT had me rolling on the floor, he was so hilarious. He said all these diseases you could have, and I’m like, why would you be here if you had those? It was so funny!

  Grayer I missed the whole thing, too. When I woke up, and the instructor said that this was the only time he was going tell us this, it was, like, oh man! What did I miss?

  Bruce I had been in the hospital with pneumonia, so I went up to him w
hen he asked if there was anyone with any diseases he needed to know about, but he said it had been three weeks since I got out, and I’d be okay. I told him my lungs still hurt, and my nose was running and he said, well, look around you. Do you see anyone whose nose isn’t running and who doesn’t feel lousy? So I had to go.

  Quietly, while Petty Officer Linsey distracted the recruits, a cadre of senior petty officers took up station in the passageway linking the classroom and the confidence chamber itself. “There’s always somebody who thinks he’s the first one to think about hiding in the head,” said GM1 Christopher Black, safety officer for the event. “Like we haven’t seen that before, right?”

  Hooton-Hetrick My thought then was if you freaked out, this was going to be a terrible experience. But if you just chill out and stay calm, you’ll get right out of there, and you’ll be all right.

  The recruits, led by their recruit petty officers, filed out of the room and turned right, down a short ladder to the ground floor of the building. They entered an anteroom, equipped with stainless steel sinks down the center and with gas masks arranged on the walls. Petty Officer Linsey continued: “We call this the ‘spit and git’ room, recruits. When you are inside the chamber, and you have anything coming out of your head—anything—you will cup your left hand below your chin, like this, understand?” Demonstrating to the recruits, he continued. “If you have lots of things coming out of your face, then you will pull your shirt open, and let them all run down your chest inside your shirt, is that clear? Do not let anything fall to the deck; we don’t want a trip hazard in there, and if you do, we’ll just keep you there till you clean it up. So, when you come out, and you want to get rid of anything, do it in the ‘spit and git’ sinks. Keep moving—the people behind you don’t want to spend any more time in the room than you do, understand?”

  The recruits selected their gas masks and waited. Chief Besaw entered the anteroom and addressed the recruits. “Now, here’s what I want you to do, recruits. When I tell you, you are going to put on your masks and go into the gas chamber. You’ll stand in ranks of fifteen, five or six deep. When you are all in there, I’m going to place two capsules of CS gas on a hot plate in the front of the room. CS is an irritant, but it’s not deadly. I want you to be confident that the mask will protect you if you ever need it. After the gas gets going good, I will walk along the line. When I come to you, you will take off your mask, and sound off with your name and division number. When I tell you, and only when I tell you, you will exit the chamber through the door by which you entered, and do what Petty Officer Linsey has told you to do. Is that clear, recruits?”

  The resulting “Yes, Chief” was hardly enthusiastic. Division 005 filed into the room, led by Chief Zeller who—in the honorable tradition of “leading from the front”—would inhale the CS gas alongside his division.

  Freeman When we went in, I was in the middle row, and the middle of that row. So I got to see about half the division take off their masks before me. When I first put the mask on, it was burning, because there was still gas on it from the last time, but when I wiped it off, it wasn’t too bad.

  Chief Besaw deposited the CS capsules on the hot plate, and the room quickly filled with the pungent, irritating fumes of the harassing agent. Starting down the line, she elicited the required responses as the recruits removed their masks, coughed, or occasionally vomited, and quickly exited the room.

  Jackson My mask worked 100 percent, I was breathing normal. I thought, hey, this isn’t so bad. Till she told me to take off the mask. Once I took mine off, I held my breath till I left the door. My eyes and nose were running, I was catching it in my hand.

  Freeman I took my mask off, and for two or three or seconds, I was okay. Then I was crying, and snotting, and when the chief got to me, I couldn’t sound off or anything. But it was okay.

  Hooton-Hetrick I didn’t tear bad, or have snot, but I couldn’t breathe. I felt like my chest was closing on me. I was fine, except I felt like there was a fist on my heart or something.

  Jones My eyes were just watering really bad, but it wasn’t as bad as a time I got gasoline splashed in my eyes. The short people are lucky! The gas cloud rose up, and Volk and Zaragoza [the two shortest recruits in the division] are going, like, “Okay, so where’s the gas?” and stuff! [Laughter.]

  The more fortunate recruits quickly sounded off and left the room. Some were not so lucky.

  Grayer They put me as a guard at the door, and that meant I was, like, the last person to leave. And when I saw all those people, playing the fool, I thought, No, I don’t want to be here no more. I wanted to get out of there, right out the door I was guarding.

  Burger I was right in front of the hot plate, and the fan that was moving the gas. Bad spot. It was about ten or fifteen minutes after I got out till I started feeling better.

  Nance It was like smoking a really, really bad cigarette. I didn’t feel good for the rest of the day.

  Grayer After I got out of the gas chamber, my stomach was burning, and it did even till we went to eat supper.

  The discomforts of the gas chamber would later be offset by the euphoria of a run to the Navy Exchange, as well as a telephone call home. Those who were expecting family and friends for graduation began to stockpile small gifts and souvenirs for their visitors. “It’s funny,” Petty Officer Kent remarked. “You could take two sticks, a hunk of old rope, and put a ‘Go Navy’ sticker on it, and some recruit would give you five bucks for it, if you sold it in the exchange. Of course, I remember getting liberty cuffs sewn in my dress jumper when I got out of boot camp, and I recall lots of guys buying pillowcases that said ‘Mother’ on ’em, back then. Some things never change, I guess.”

  On Saturday, the recruits participated in athletic competition with other divisions in their graduation group. Mustering at Drill Hall 1400, the northernmost drill hall on base, the recruits engaged in three-on-three basketball games, softball pitches, rope climbing, relay races, and a tug of war. The atmosphere was relaxed, and although Division 005 didn’t win (okay, they finished dead last), the recruits and RDCs thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

  “We had fun, and that’s what Captain’s Cup is all about,” remarked Petty Officer Russell. “Some of these divisions take this way too seriously. Did you see [that RDC] over there, moaning and complaining about how her people did? She kept wanting Chief Zeller to change the rules to give them a break on the scoring. That attitude looks good to her people, right?”

  Freeman Well, I played competitive softball in college. Tossing a softball through a hole in the canvas was a piece of cake. We beat brother division at that, anyway.

  The Captain’s Cup competition traditionally ends with a group run back to barracks. Usually taken at a fairly easy pace, this run is one of the few times that the graduation group, often numbering eight hundred recruits or more, will have a chance to run together. Since the competition is held on Saturday morning, many base visitors use it as a photo opportunity to capture the recruits in action. Today’s visitors would have a special treat. Capt. Ed Gantt, commanding officer of Recruit Training Command, would lead his recruits during the 1.5-mile jog back to quarters.

  Mary Smith I was so happy when Captain Gantt showed up. That man is so inspiring, he’s the kind of officer that you’d follow anywhere. It was great having him there for our run.

  Chief Zeller agrees. “He’s a mustang [former enlisted man], and it really shows. He’s not putting on an act for visitors, he really wants to be out here with his recruits. Some guys call him a ‘chuck hugger,’ and that’s about the worst thing an RDC can say about anybody, but I think of him as a real leader. The Navy can use a lot more guys like him.”

  The massed divisions took off across base, with Captain Gantt in the lead. A large number of visitors had assembled at the south end of the tunnel to see the divisions, flags and guidons massed in front, pass by. When they came, they were surprised to see Captain Gantt trailing, not leading, his command. But their surprise t
urned to cheers when they realized that Captain Gantt was supporting two recruits who had become winded on the run back to barracks.

  “He’d have picked ’em up and carried them if he had to,” Chief Zeller concluded. “He’s that kind of guy.”

  *Chief Besaw is a chief damage controlman (E7), with surface warfare qualifications.

  *Petty Officer Linsey is an engineman, second class (E5), with surface warfare qualifications.

  11

  Body and Soul

  “Attention in the ship, attention in the ship! Now all recruits for Roman Catholic divine services—muster at the after brow.” Seaman Recruit Trindade was surprised. Usually the 1MC sounded Catholic church call at 0650; this morning’s call was nearly five minutes early. Quickly, the recruit religious petty officer (RPO) shouted out to the Roman Catholic recruits to hurry below, lest they miss muster.

  Marcia Trindade, 19, Edison, New Jersey

  I volunteered to be the Catholic RPO because church is important to me. My family is from Portugal, and it has always been part of our life. And besides, it gives us a chance to get out of the compartment for an hour or so, and be a little more relaxed. I know that a lot of the Protestants feel the same way.

  The Roman Catholic males met the females as they descended the aft ladder. Because of the relatively small number of recruits attending religious services, an integrated group from all divisions would march to Mass together. Today’s escort was ET1 (SS)* Russ Redekop of Division 006. “We do things a little differently for church call. It doesn’t seem right to be calling recruits knuckleheads, or grousing about how they march on the way over there. You might have some recruits who have already passed battle stations and are waiting to graduate, and others that are on their 1-1 day, so it would be difficult to look good, anyway. And, besides, there’s a lot of automobile traffic around the chapel on Sunday morning. I’m happy if I can just get them there and back in one piece.”