FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadets from 1st Regiment, Advanced Camp, completed the confidence chamber at Fort Knox, Ky., June 15, 2023. Cadets were taught a class on CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear), where they learned how to trust in their equipment which consisted of gas masks and protective suits.

Cadet Andrew Weston, Virginia Military Institute said that he joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps because he wanted to continue his family’s legacy and give back to his nation. Weston said that his nation has provided him with wonderful things, places he’s seen and experienced.

Before entering the gas chamber, Weston and his fellow Cadets were given equipment and a lesson on how to react to a chemical attack.

“We were provided gas masks by the Cadre,” Weston said. “We also put on our wet weather gear to act as our MOPP (Mission Oriented Protective Posture Gear) to protect us from those chemical and biological weapons.”

Cadets were exposed to CS [orto-chlorobenzylidene-malononitrile] gas. This gas is known as tear gas and it creates irritation in eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and skin.

“We got confident in our equipment, went into the gas chamber to experience firsthand how the equipment works, how the gas affects our body and how to react to it,” Weston said. “It’s just building that confidence in the equipment, getting to experience it firsthand, and embrace the suck.” 

Tensions run high prior to entering the gas chamber, as this is many Cadets first time experiencing non-lethal chemical weapons.

Weston said he was open to a new experience and soaking everything up like a sponge. Once he went through the confidence chamber, he realized it was all in his head. 

Cadet Lisamarie Sanchez from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley said that she joined ROTC because of her siblings. Her siblings were all in different branches in the military, but she was the only one that decided to take the officer route.

Sanchez reflects on the mental aspect of the confidence chamber. 

“There’s a lot of people here who think that they’re not able to do it, including myself,” Sanchez said. “I was very nervous, but having my battle buddies next to me really made it a lot easier, and telling myself that I am more than capable of doing this.”

Sanchez’ left the gas chamber with a new outlook. 

“I want to branch chemical, but everybody is telling me not to,” Sanchez said. “Seeing everybody all nervous and afraid, it kind of pushed me a little bit off the edge, but once I was in there, I felt more than comfortable knowing that this is what I want to do.”

Sanchez’s favorite part about being inside the gas chamber was singing the Army song with her squad and just making it through the first couple seconds of the song.

“March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free. Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory. We’re the Army…”