Lots of troops complain about the gas chamber. It’s stuffy, it’s hot, and trying to see anything through the mask sucks.
Know what’s worse? Trying to see through a riot mask while you are literally on fire. That’s what military police have to do to pass fire phobia training. Here are 19 photos of MPs getting hit with Molotov cocktails and other incendiaries in training:
1. The training is done to help military police learn how to control riots
2. A major tool of rioters, violent protestors, and others is the Molotov cocktail
3. Since improvised incendiary devices are so easy to make, police around the world have to be ready to combat them at all times
4. Fire phobia training helps the MPs learn to not fear the fire, and to move as a unit when confronted with it
5. This keeps the unit from breaking down at the first sign of fire, allowing police to maintain control
6. Personnel hit with fire move from the flames as a group under the command of a squad or platoon leader
7. Once they get away from the main flames, they reform their line and stomp out any fire on their gear
8. Sometimes fire is thrown to restrict police movement, in which case the MPs have to advance through it as a unit and reform on the opposite side
9. The training can be done with units of varying size and in different formations
10. Soldiers can face the heat alone …
11. … or entire squads and platoons can work together.
12. The military police often line up in multiple rows, so one force backs up the other during an attack.
13. The U.S. and partnered nations train together, sharing best practices
14. The training is especially valued in Europe where certain military forces are more likely to face off against actual rioters or protestors
15. The trainees where the same riot gear they would have on for actual operations, including shin guards that extend below a riot shield
16. MPs keep their legs tight when being attacked, reducing the gaps the fire can slip through
17. But multiple attacks can still be overwhelming
18. This is when the unit commander will order an advance or a short retreat, allowing the officers to get away from the flames
19. Firefighters and medics are on hand to assist students and prevent burns
Now check out this video: