BABADAG TRAINING AREA, Romania -- Marines and Sailors from Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Tank Battalion, and Romanian Marines and soldiers experienced the effects of two nonlethal weapons systems during an exercise at Babadag Training Area, Romania, May 25.
“The purpose of this exercise was to teach the Romanians nonlethal techniques, tactics and procedures to subdue violent, or potentially violent, aggressors,” said 1st Lt. Marshall Hand, the nonlethal weapons officer-in-charge for H and S Co., 1st Tank Bn.
During the training, the Romanians were exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum, more commonly known as pepper spray, and also had the opportunity to feel the effects of a Taser.
“They were very motivated and eager to learn how to employ nonlethal weapons systems so they can protect themselves and fellow soldiers without permanently harming the target individual while still maintaining control of the situation,” said Hand, a native of Mahopac, N.Y.
Cpl. Richard Chavez, a field radio operator with scout platoon, H and S Co., 1st Tank Bn., said despite initial fear, the Romanians showed a lot of courage by voluntarily getting Tased.
“I thought they were very professional about it,” said Chavez, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo. “Even though they didn’t necessarily enjoy it, they now know the affect it can have on another person.”
The Taser works by sending electric pulses through an individual for about five seconds, and the pain ends just after the current stops. However, OC spray brought a much different and longer lasting pain.
“It was probably the worst feeling I have ever felt,” said Romanian soldier Sgt. Vasile Bogdan, with the 1st Company, 341st Battalion of the Romanian Land Forces. “It burned my face for about 45 minutes, and isn’t something I care to experience again.”
Nonlethal weapons courses have been a vital part of the peacekeeping operations training U.S. and Romanian forces have conducted since May 17. The Romanian Marines and soldiers are scheduled to graduate, May 28, and U.S. Marines and Sailors will immediately roll into peacekeeping operations training at Babadag with Macedonian forces, May 31.
U.S. Marines and Sailors are working in the Black Sea, Balkan and Caucasus regions to promote regional stability, build enduring partnerships and build the capacity of partner nation’s military forces. They are serving as the first Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force in the regions, known as Black Sea Rotational Force 2010.