Security Reaction Force
Where Sailors become the first line of defense
29 June 2016
"Security alert, security alert!" Almost every shipboard Sailor has heard this phrase blare from the 1MC at some point.
When this word is passed, it's not just the master-at-arms who responds. Sailors from different rates and backgrounds respond within minutes, getting geared up and armed. Although not their primary skill set, these Sailors make up the ship's primary team responsible for the defense against attacks on the ship or pier.
Prior to going through the Security Reaction Force (Advanced) course at the Center for Security Forces Det. San Diego (CSFSD), if you told these Sailors they would be the ship's first line of defense, they probably wouldn't have believed you.
"A lot of our students have never been in a tactical situation before and it can be intimidating," said Cmdr. Rommel Salgado, CSFSD's officer in charge. "We get them out of their comfort zone, assemble them as a team, and teach them how to maneuver through a tactical situation."
On the far side of Naval Base San Diego, students armed with simulated weapons, maneuver through a replicated three-story ship, clearing p-ways, ladder wells and common ship spaces such as the galley. Others are in the shooting "range" working on their weapons handling skills by shooting targets with paintballs.
"We start off with a re-training of weapons proficiency such as reloading, getting [bullets] down target, and shooting tactically instead of marksmanship shooting," said Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Daquan Crowghosthaynes, an instructor at CSFSD. "We also go over a review in Mechanical Advantage Control Hold (MACH), pier and ship blow through, and external movements. Then we put it all together and see how well they learned."
Although the bullets may not be real, the adrenaline and confusion feel as close to reality as possible.
"The first time you go live, it is definitely chaotic," said Gunner's Mate Seaman Austin Saffle, a student at CSFSD. "It's very confusing and you do not know what to do. But at the end of the training, you knew the problem, you knew what to do and everyone worked as a team to get it done."
Made up of active-duty military and former military civilians, the instructors act as the "bad guys" and the students find themselves under a lot of pressure rushing toward bomb threats, pier penetration and even an active shooter.
"There is definitely a lot of pressure, especially when rounds are coming toward you," said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Eduardo Revollo, a student at CSFSD. "You have to get the job done no matter what. I've learned to slow down time in high pressure situations. [This course] helped me make better decisions, and at the end you just have to go with your gut."
Along with the tactical knowledge, students bring back the confidence needed to face this type of encounters if a real-life threat ever occurs.
I've learned a lot about confidence and not to freeze when under pressure. This training made me, and my team, more confident in this type of environment." - GMSN Austin Saffle
"We now can run toward the problem, instead of running from it," said Saffle. "Your confidence builds up so much in two weeks, I can only imagine what you can do if you keep practicing."
With the ongoing threat of domestic terrorist attacks, it is vital for Sailors to continue to receive this type of training.
"If you are interested in taking this course get involved with your duty section and see what the needs are on your ship," said Salgado. "We welcome all rates to come to our courses. This course really makes them peer leaders on their ships and units. The purpose of this is to integrate with the rest of the ship because just like damage control, anti-terrorism force protection is everyone's mission."