Gas Attack, Gas Attack marginalia.micro.blog
@alexink As I mentioned, a fortunate guard duty assignment allowed me to escape this experience in basic training when I was in the Army. I had to endure marching through CS gas with no mask and getting pepper sprayed while undergoing riot training during the time I worked in the prison system. I always hated using pepper spray on an inmate (and the times I used it, the inmate thoroughly deserved it 100% of the time) because the first thing you have to do after you deploy it is take them to the shower, remove the handcuffs and let them clean it off. That all too often resulted in the second scuffle of the shift. No thank you!
@amerpie You were lucky with the assignment. Less lucky when doing prison work, and yeah, I bet that was as much pressure and stress as being in the army! I bet you don't miss that life.
@alexink Unfortunately, when I got out of the Army (I was Infantry) it was about the only thing I was qualified to do that offered health insurance, paid leave etc. My starting pay was about $15,000 a year in 1986. It's been 31 years since I've been in a prison, and I still have dreams about it.
@amerpie I know many of those I served with over the years did the same thing, choosing to go into the prison service or become police or firefighters. Oh, and I bet the pay was a fright back then. My starting salary on joining up was £5 and I had to sign for it every week.
@alexink I just love the final line of your story! I understand why that drill was necessary, but ugh!