MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- At first it feels like sweat rolling down your face, producing a burning sensation, causing your eyes to slam shut. Then your hands unwillingly move to your face making the irritation increasingly worse. Once you feel like the pain couldn’t get any worse, your chest tightens causing a shortness of breath, eventually forcing you to your knees in pain.

According to Cpl. Brandon Smith, a military policeman with Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, being sprayed with Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) can feel like “turning a stove on and putting your face on the burner. Only then can you feel the effects of being sprayed with OC.”

Thirteen Marines from CLR 27, 2nd MLG, felt the full effects of OC when they attended training on the use and effects of the substance here, Sept. 10.

“(OC) training familiarizes and teaches Marines how to use OC in a tactical and garrison environment,” said Sgt. Charles Engblom, a military policeman and non-lethal weapons instructor with CLR 27, 2nd MLG. “It’s a combination of knowing how to use (OC) and knowing the effects.”

According to Engblom, OC spray is the last form of non-lethal weaponry in the escalation of force, and a valuable asset for Marines in many situations, ranging from hand-to-hand combat to riot control.

“Riot control is a great situation where OC can be used,” Engblom explained. “Instead of a Marine endangering himself by jumping into the fight, he can use OC to disperse (the crowd) and take them down.”

Engblom explained that the course consisted of classroom exercises and practical application, the importance of knowing how to use OC, and even more importantly, knowing what to do when contaminated with the substance.

“(The Marines) first need to know the smell so if the immediate area is contaminated, they know what to do,” Engblom said. “They also need to know what the subject is going through so they have a less chance of over-spraying and know how to provide care after spraying.”

In order to understand what it’s like to be sprayed, the Marines went through a confidence course that tests what the Marines learned in the classroom. At the start of the course, Marines are immediately sprayed directly with OC and are then required to fight through various obstacles that push Marines to their physical limits.

“The spray immediately causes a real effect of ‘I don’t want to do anything but stand here and freeze.”’ Smith explained as the Marines went through the obstacles. “As the Marines proceed through the course, they experience shortness of breath, an extremely irritable sensation on their face and problems opening their eyes making the course more difficult.”

“It felt like fire burning through my skull,” said Sgt. Michael W. Eppes, a technical controller with Communications Company, CLR 27, 2nd MLG.

“I just could not believe how bad it burned,” said Cpl. Liliana Diaz, platoon sergeant, Communications Company, CLR 27, 2nd MLG. “Once it started burning, I couldn’t wait to get it out of my eyes. I seriously just wanted to pull off my skin.”

Marines learn the most important part of being contaminated with OC at the end of the confidence course…decontamination. Decontamination comes in the form of water, cool, fresh air, towels and even baby shampoo.

“It’s important that the Marines know what is needed for decontamination,” Engblom said. “They will know what to do in case (they), or someone else are contaminated.”

As the training came to an end, all Marines agreed on one thing…OC is a highly effective weapon.

“(OC) is one of the most effective forms of non-lethal weaponry,” Engblom said. “In the end, it gets the point across of what you want someone to do.”