31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines currently enrolled in the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Consequence Management Course monitor unidentified chemical agents July 31 on Camp Hansen. The service members conducted a mock improvised explosive device recognition scenario to test their IED identification skills in a mock contaminated area. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Jason Spinella).

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit uses consequence management teams to quickly and skillfully take care of any situation requiring chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist expertise.

Seventeen Marines and sailors from various military occupational specialties are undergoing the new and enhanced CBRN Consequence Management Course, which began July 16 and is scheduled to conclude Aug. 22, to become the 31st MEU's certified consequence management team.

According to Staff Sgt. Marco Flores, the lead instructor of the course, the importance of this training is to provide the MEU commander with a capable team to assess, mitigate and control a CBRN crisis.

"This team of Marines is responsible to react in the event of a hazardous materials situation and determine whether the situation is an accident or incident," said Sgt. James McCarty, a CBRN defense instructor with the MEU.

The course focuses on various aspects of the CBRN field and its history. Along with using the latest CBRN equipment, students undergo human vital signs classes to monitor the effects of CBRN agents on individuals.

Additionally, six hours were spent on the detection of CBRN agents and monitoring their hazardous levels.

"The new class gets in-depth with the new state-of-the-art detection equipment, a variety of gas masks, and plenty of practical application," McCarty said.

For some of the students, learning about CBRN applications for the first time can be overwhelming. However, the course's length and pace allowed ample time for the students to learn.

According to Lance Cpl. Sean Lockard, a light armored vehicle repairman with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, all the new detection equipment and gear becomes easy to work with and understand after the familiarization training.

"Because of the class, I feel very confident in using this new equipment in a real scenario," Lockard said.

While the training benefits the MEU as a whole, students have the opportunity to gain a marketable skill if they decide to leave the Marine Corps.

"All the gear and personal protection equipment the students are learning about and using could really help them if they decided to pursue a civilian career in the hazardous materials field," said Lance Cpl. Benjamin Rader, a CBRN defense specialist and assistant instructor for the MEU. "The certifications these students are earning is recognized as a major accomplishment in the civilian sector."

While the training and certification benefits the individual, the course's training focused on staying prepared for possible crises in the Asia- Pacific theater.

"All the Marines enrolled in the course seem to be grasping everything quite well," Rader said. "They should be ready for any mission scenario we throw their way and eventually, be ready to use there skills down range in potential real world missions."

At the end of the course, the students' training will culminate in a capabilities exercise, which is designed to test their knowledge and prepare them for the MEU's upcoming fall deployment.