The Gas Chamber

C077/K051 Feb 21-Apr 25, 1990

OK, another boot camp story. Today lets jump to the Gas Chamber. This particular story happened on April 10, 1990. 


So, it was a rather humid warm late morning when our company, C077, and our sister company, K051 made our way down the sidewalks to our date with the gas chamber. We always enjoyed getting to share a classroom with the ladies.


We are all sitting inside waiting for the instructors to come in and tell us what's going to happen. Sitting in the front row was our educational PO. He was a kid with bright red hair and this really slow southern drawl. He was a funny guy too. He'd tell some of the nastiest jokes you had ever heard.



So, one of the instructors walk in and see this guy sitting there.


He walks up to him, "Damn, son, that is some red hair." (The guy did too. Bright red!)


Our EPO replied in his southern drawl, "Yes, sir."


Chief, "Son, your momma have red hair?"


EPO, "Naw sir."


Chief, "Your daddy, then?"


EPO, "Naw sir, but the mailman did."


Both companies bust out laughing.


The chief stands there laughing too, shaking his head. He tries to talk a couple times but couldn't.



So finally he says, "Son, that's my joke, next time, let me finish it."



Then we all get yelled at for laughing. The chief goes on to tell us what we need to know. In all seriousness, the gas mask is very important to the Navy. Our time at the gas chamber is to get us familiar with the gas mask used and how it can help us. Also, it lets you know tear gas really does hurt like hell. 


We are instructed on how to don the gas mask and to make sure it is tight. I recall some people did not like to do it. Guess being slightly claustrophobic was a bad thing with a gas mask. My wife is, and she has to wear a respirator when she is mixing epoxy for the cups she makes. It drives her nuts when she does it.


We all get ready to go in. As we file in, I am in the front row right next to the hot plate where the drop the gas.


We go through the procedure, and it is the front rows turn to go. I am the last to sound off too mind you.


They drop the gas, and we all try to spread it by waving our hands. One massive deep breath before off goes the masks.




My eyes start to burn immediately. I hold my breath as long as I can, but that doesn't last long. Instantly after my first breath, my nose starts to run, and my eyes tear up like crazy. Guy next to me cannot remember his own freaking name! In goes another breath. Damn, that stuff burns.



WTF!?!?! He stumbles around what to say for like a full minute. Your name!!! It is Your NAME!!!

Then to me, boom, I rattle it off. Then we run outside to get some fresh air. A couple of guys puke.


I seriously never imagined I had that much snot in my nose. I did the farmer blow a few times with each nostril.



After everyone is done and we get our final words, both companies march off to lunch. At the Galley, they split us up to all go into the main center galley section.


Deck Captain, "Company C077 carry on lines 333,444. Post."
"Company K051 carry on lines 333,444. Post"



We all stunk like crazy, but none of us could smell. We heard a major reaction from people in the galley eating. Heck, I think I probably enjoyed lunch a good deal that day since we couldn't smell.



Yeah, that was a fun day. Our laundry POs probably hated us that next day.