I was at Ft. Jackson in 05 and went through the chamber, one of the worst experiences of my life. I haven't seen the movie since I was at Jackson so i don 't really remember that scene but If Mark was barfing then it wasn't the real gas.

My Pops said he got acclimated to it as well after sending troops through it several times.
Not me. Basic was not the worst, but it was the worst for a while. I "re-qualed" several times with various units in 8 years. I had the unfortunate luxury of being sent to NBC school for two weeks. Week two I spend 2 days in and out of the chamber doing extended drills and exercises. Buddy exchange was probably the most uncomfortable and the most miserable because we were in their the longest, and it seemed to stay with us. I never did get used to it.

You can get conditioned to it. We had one guy in my platoon everyone suspected was an IRA member(from somewhere near Belfast) he went through the chamber without his filters and didn't flinch(Parris Island '95). I couldn't do it there, but when I was in Okinawa I went to the chamber three times and by the third time, I could take off the mask and actually talk with watery eyes and a running nose. Then the one chamber I did in Camp Pendleton, I was able to not only to talk but I left my mask on the top of my head while helping others get their masks back on. Our NBC Staff Sgt actually had to yell at me to put my mask back on. After all that, I am now a chemical officer and have done a few more chambers with the same condition as in Okinawa and California. The times they tried to use CS in our field exercises, I just walked through it. Every time though the sinuses got extremely clear after leaving the chamber and getting into fresh air.

Touch. I was a female soldier who went through basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC in about 1981 when training companies were co-ed (!). The gas chamber is something you never forget. My son just graduated from basic training at Ft. Knox two weeks ago and we got a DVD of his company going through basic. And yes, it had 10 minutes of every soldier coming out of the gas chamber and a lot of them had the "foot long rope of snot hanging out of each nostril."

Anyone that clears the door without a foot long rope of snot hanging out of each nostril ain't sniffed a nose full of CS. Memoriessss,
Pax Christi
Rev. Joel+

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Hey, I was at Ft Bragg about 2 months ago and it really has changed, you wouldn't recognize it unless you knew what road you were on. Its no longer and open post although you can still drive through it on Bragg blvd.Most of the roads onto post from bragg blvd are now closed off and have guard shacks at them now. Also if you remember driving into spring lake going to Sanford, that road is no longer a 2 lane road, its a 4 lane highway with business all the way into Sanford. You were there until Dec '98. Did you take part in that big jump I think it was the purple dragon jump in '98? I can't really remember offhand when it was but I know it was before Dec '98.I was with the 28th combat support hospital unit and a part of our unit was set up at the pioneer site for that jump. As far as Fayetteville goes, it hasen't really changed at all. The cross creek mall expnded a little bit and added a food court in it, but everything is still pretty much the same. I only live about 2 1/2 hours drive from there and plan on going out there to visit with family sometime next month.

Jims. I was at Bragg for April 1994 to December 1998, when I left the military. The 82 was the only unit I served in while I was in the military. I left the 82 with 45 jumps. I miss it and Fayetteville. I'd like to return, to visit, but I know it wouldnt be the same place.

Cool, you were with the 82nd airborne in Ft Bragg? I was stationed at Ft.Bragg from 1997-1999. I ets in '99. I remember having to go through the gas chamber again in Ft Bragg not too far from the 82nd area. It wasn't as bad as it was in basic for me either. My Step nephew just recently joined the army and he will be leaving for basic training at Ft. Leanord wood on wednesday. I already told him and showed him my basic training video of us when I went through it and he cringed at the site..lol.

I know what you mean. I went through basic at Ft. Leonard Wood in 1993. I remember the gas chamber vividly. Recently I found a Video tape my family bought when they came to my basic training graduation. I didnt know they had it. It was a few clips of my basic training, the longest scene was the gas chamber. It was funny seeing the looks on our faces after we took off our masks. I remember marching with my company after we left the chamber. I threw up in my mouth and had to hold it because I didnt want to get out of rank and face the wrath of my Drill Sergeants. I ended up swallowing it because I was the only one not singing cadence. I did this and no one caught on to my misery. But I wouldnt change the experience for a billion dollars.
I went through the gas chamber again when I was in the 82 Airborne. But it didnt have the same feel as when I went through basic. I guess because we knew what to expect.