Sailors participating in the Naval Security Force Sentry and Security Reaction Force Team Member Basic training programs at Naval Air Station Patuxent River were pepper sprayed Oct. 7 as part of their training to support the installation's security department.

One after another, the trainees stood facing Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew Wilson, who is assigned to Patuxent River security, as he administered a stream of 0.18 percent oleoresin capsicum across their foreheads and then shouted at them to open their eyes.

"It was the most intense burn and choking feeling I've ever felt in my life, and it doesn't subside," said Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Shinn, assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21, as he held a small fan to his face to help alleviate the discomfort. "My skin is burning, my nose is running, and I'm doing anything not to inhale through my nose because I don't want to get it into my sinuses."

The exercise was meant to simulate a real-world scenario where, if it was necessary to use pepper spray and self-contamination occurred, class participants would know what to expect while still attempting to subdue a perpetrator.

The program, which combines classroom and physical training and exposure to lethal and non-lethal weapons, also teaches mechanical advantage control hold (MACH) techniques that use a subject's own body momentum to enable submission.

"After they're sprayed, they go through a series of stations where they must first subdue a subject empty-handed into a handcuff position, then pick up a baton and do forward and reverse strikes, block with the baton, and do middle strike and rear jabs -- if someone is close to you," explained Capt. James Williams, security training instructor. "Lastly, they have to fight a combative subject in a protective suit and bring him to a handcuff position."

Participants could use any of the moves they were taught throughout the week, such as punches, kicks, elbow and knee strikes. They were not limited to the baton.

"The spray is like needles in your eyes, but you have to get past the pain and remember your objective," said Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River Petty Officer 3rd Class Grace Olszewski, while struggling to unclench her eyes. "They've trained us for hours to know the [MACH] movements, and it's surprising how fast you pick it up. When you're in that situation and you can't see and you just want to get through it, you get through it."

Standing by were two Patuxent River firefighter paramedics in case of any medical emergencies.

"We're here in case there are any issues, but there hasn't been anything this time," said Paramedic Leah Vallandingham. "In the past there have been some people with asthma, and we've helped them work through it. We've also treated rolled ankles and bloody noses from when they're fighting."

All 21 Sailors successfully met the day's requirements and were monitored for two hours afterward before being sent home.

Each was certified as a member of the installation's Auxiliary Security Force at graduation, Oct. 19.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, visit http://www.navy.mil/.