Some screamed immediately. Some clutched their faces. Some fell to their knees. When the oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray was released, nobody was happy. However, they all powered through with the drive and determination to protect the ship from a threat.

Oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray is an aerosol derived from the fruit of chili plants that causes an immediate and temporary closing of the eyes, difficulty breathing, a runny nose, and inflammation of the sinuses. Used as a weapon to defend against attack, every member of the security force aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) carries a canister with them.

The latest Security Reaction Force – Basic (SRF-B) students underwent training to learn the effects of OC spray firsthand, Feb. 21.

“The OC portion of the SRF-B course is a five-station fight-through where the students are contaminated with OC on the face,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Susan Olander, from Jefferson, Ohio, the security department training leading petty officer. “They must successfully complete all five stations before they can decontaminate.”

Olander also said that the training was vital to the preparedness of the security personnel.

“OC training is important because in the event that their partner sprays OC and they get it in their face, they need to be able to defend themselves while contaminated,” said Olander. “You can see the physiological and psychological effects during the training today, but now, pushing forward, if they were ever contaminated by OC spray, they know how it feels, they know what to expect, and they know how to fight through it.”

Information Systems Technician Seaman Jacob Grella, from Richmond, Virginia, and Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Seth Duncan, from Vienna, Missouri, both George Washington security department sentries, had different feelings about the training before going through it.

Grella thought that being mentally prepared would allow him to get through the course.

“I feel well prepared for the course,” said Grella. “I think the biggest thing will be mental preparedness and just staying calm.”

Duncan, however, was a bit nervous about the course.

“I’m a little anxious,” said Duncan. “I’ve seen a lot of my buddies go through it today, and it doesn’t look fun, but I’m also excited to finally do it.”

After completing the course, Grella admitted that he wasn’t as ready as he thought he would be.

“It feels like the worst sunburn in the world, but on your eyeballs,” said Grella. “Mentally, I felt prepared, but physically I had no idea what to expect. It was a very unique experience.”

Duncan, on the other hand, felt that the physical exhaustion was worse than the OC spray itself.

 “The course really takes it out of you. It’s not a long course, but you’re going at 100 percent, so it wears you out pretty quickly. It’s definitely an experience that I’m glad I have under my belt.”

Both trainees enjoyed feeling exhausted, and Olander explained why.

“We try to make the training feel as real as possible while maintaining the safety of the trainees,” said Olander. “The more realism we can put in the training, the more prepared they are for any situation that could happen on the ship.

Olander also said why it’s so important that the training be realistic.

“With 14 years in the Navy, I’ve done just about every major [Master-at-Arms] thing you can do, and this is probably the most important,” said Olander. “These are the Sailors who are out on the front lines. If something happens on the ship, it’s not an MA [Master-at-Arms], it’s not a Marine, it’s these Sailors who will respond first.”

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