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Lance Cpl. Mico B. Young, station Provost Marshal’s Office military police officer, uses inert oleoresin capsicum spray on Lance Cpl. James S. Huston, station PMO military police officer, in a training exercise that took place at an empty mid-rise in the Monzen District here Nov. 15. The inert OC spray allows PMO to practice accuracy without causing the burning sensation of regular OC spray.

Photo by Pfc. Benjamin Pryer

All train, no pain: PMO conducts escalation of force

24 Nov 2011 | Pfc. Benjamin Pryer Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Provost Marshal’s Office first and second platoon along with Special Reaction Team unit members conducted training on the use of oleoresin capsicum spray and other tactics here, Nov. 15.

“We try to incorporate everything the Marines carry on a daily basis into training to help them better prepare to respond to different types of situations,” said Sgt. Kyle C. Hill, PMO SRT team leader and non-lethal weapons instructor.

In the morning, the MPs practiced their defensive and restraining tactics and were taught a class about use of force continuum. The MPs then took a test to recertify on the proper use of deadly force.

The classes and training the MPs are given focuses on keeping the MPs skills proficient so they can better perform their duties.

“It’s good for (station) residents to know they have properly trained MPs out there ready to assist them in a time of need,” said Hill. “If someone finds themselves in a position where they would need law enforcement assistance, Iwakuni citizens know they can trust and rely on trained and proficient military police officers to assist or protect them in any situation.”

MPs then conducted a practical application of their earlier training using an empty mid-rise building inside the Monzen district.

Outside the building, MPs practiced using inert OC spray, which replicates the OC spray they carry on a daily basis, but doesn’t make the body to feel like it’s on fire.

“(The MPs) can practice deploying it as if in a real-life situation,” said Cpl. David R. Alix, PMO military policeman. “If they were to get into a confrontation were they had to use it, they know how to employ it.”

MPs lined up in two rows approximately 15 feet apart and took turns practicing their aim with the inert OC spray before pairing up and receiving brief scenarios they would go through.

“It’s good for (the MPs) to get training for the various scenarios they may see, it makes sure the MPs are proficient in their jobs and makes sure their skills never diminish,” said Alix. “Everything you see MPs do on a daily basis, they have to practice those abilities.”

The MPs went through two scenarios: one of a military couple having a fight in their apartment and the other was a pair of service members fighting in their barracks room. Each time the MPs would go in, assess the situation and respond accordingly to how passive or aggresive the role-players were being.

“(The training) teaches all the MPs,” said Staff Sgt. Mark P. Koenig, PMO training chief. “It not only gives them the classroom portion, it gives them some practical application time to effectively meet a certain threat with appropriate level of force.”

The role-players would turn up their acting every time, going from passive resistance, all the way up to intending to cause death or serious bodily harm.

“It puts the MP in the situation where they actually have someone attacking them, it’s a really good experience to teach the Marines,” said Koenig.

After every scenario the two MPs would discuss their performance with a proctor who watched the scenario play out. MPs were judged on how quickly and efficiently they were able to take control of the situation.