CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa, Japan – August 20, 2015 — The first line of defense for personnel threats aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler is the Japanese security guards who stand watch at the gates. The job this security team performs requires them to be well-trained, alert and ready for anything at any time.
New JSGs augmented to the Camp Foster Provost Marshall’s Office completed Marine Corps nonlethal weapons and level one oleoresin capsicum spray, also known as OC spray, training Aug. 14 aboard Camp Foster.
Marines from the mobile training team, PMO, MCB Camp Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, taught JSGs and instilled the knowledge and skills needed to use the correct escalation of force when apprehending suspects.
According to Staff Sgt. Paul J. Delekto, the security augmentation force instructor and staff noncommissioned officer with MTT, nonlethal weapons training includes all weapons and techniques that are not inherently deadly, such as batons, defensive tactics, pepper-based spray, and mechanical-advantage control holds.
“The JSGs receive the same training Marine military policemen receive,” said Delekto. “This training prepares them for real-life scenarios where an escalation of force is required, but lethal force is not.”
Along with learning how to use nonlethal weapons and tactics, the JSGs also learned the real world capabilities of OC spray. Each guard lined up one by one to receive a hefty dose of the spray which is created using cayenne pepper as a base ingredient. After being sprayed, the JSGs navigated through an obstacle course of Marines representing potential suspects.
“JSGs must able to effectively do their job under any circumstance,” said Delekto. “When using OC spray there is a high probability of a military policemen or JSG (coming in contact) with it. They must learn to remain in control despite the fact that they (have been exposed).”
According to JSG Capt. Ishakawa Atsushi, captain of Bravo Company, JSG, completing the same training as Marine MPs allows them to work in perfect cohesion.
“Since JSGs work so closely with MPs in the field and at the gates it is important to consistently conduct joint training,” said Atsushi. “JSGs receive the same training as MPs. The Marine MPs are confident that if something were to happen, the JSGs are just as capable of doing what they have to do.”
With productive partnership dating back to 1972, PMO and JSGs have and will continue to work jointly to ensure the safety of the service members, civilians and families who live and work aboard MCB Camp Butler.