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Marines Taser Train At Camp Foster
U.S. Marine Corps Installations Pacific Courtesy Story
November
16, 2019
U.S. Marines assigned to Provost Marshal’s Office, Headquarters
and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, underwent
Human Electro-muscular Incapacitation (HEMI) Taser training at Camp
Foster in October 2019.
The Marine Corps military police and
corrections (58XX) occupational field allows Marines to use tasers
in the line of duty. Although Marine Corps Detachment, Fort Leonard
Wood, Missouri, doesn’t provide training on tasers, training is
provided by Non-Lethal Weapons Instructors when they arrive to their
duty station. For the Marines to carry the device, they must become
certified annually.
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U.S. Marine
Corps Staff Sgt. Robert A. Votta, Provost Marshal’s Office,
a non-lethal weapons instructor with Provost Marshal’s
Office, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps
Installations Pacific, instructs a course during Human
Electro-muscular Incapacitation Taser training at Camp
Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 22, 2019. This training is conducted to help Marines familiarize themselves with the nomenclature and employment of the non-lethal weapon. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kayla V. Staten)
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The training began with a lecture on the
history and the proper use of the X26E and X26P Taser. After
practical applications, all Marines were given a written test to
ensure they understood the non-lethal weapon’s conditions.
The devices were designed to temporarily incapacitate a suspect
through the use of an electrical current. It’s used to take down a
non-compliant subject by using two prongs that launch from an
attached cartridge that delivers thousands of volts of electricity
throughout the body causing involuntary muscle contraction and
temporary loss of motor control.
After the lecture on the
history and specifications regarding the tasers, the instructor
demonstrated proper use and administered a written test. Once they
passed, it was time for practical application.
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U.S. Marines assigned to Provost Marshal’s Office, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, undergo Human Electro-muscular Incapacitation Taser training at Provost Marshal’s Office, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 22, 2019. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kayla V. Staten)
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“It’s not
required to be exposed to the taser in order to carry one, but I do
believe if you’re going to carry it you should know how it feels and
the effects,” said Staff Sgt. Robert A. Votta, a non-lethal weapon
instructor with PMO, MCIPAC. “It gives you more confidence in the
tool so when you’re using it on a subject, you can understand what
they’re going through and if they’re not automatic responding to
verbal commands, you would know why.”
Although every Marine
didn’t volunteer to be exposed to the taser, they all had a chance
to practice drawing from the holster, aiming, loading, unloading and
engaging a target.
“This training is beneficial because we
load-up every day and if you’re taser qualified you will carry one
on the job,” said Cpl. Cheyenne Kay Hiatt, a patrol supervisor with
PMO, MCIPAC. “It’s just another nonlethal weapon to utilize if
needed.”
The HEMI Taser gives the Marines another tool to
utilize in the escalation of force and training helps them grasp an
understanding of the non-lethal weapon.
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