MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (May, 6, 2013) -- “Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you? Bad boys, bad boys…”
The theme song from the TV show “Cops” may bring to mind images of law enforcement personnel arresting or detaining a wrongdoer until they can escort them through the justice process.
“Bad boys” are not exclusive to the civilian world, but exist in the military world as well. Serious infractions such as drug use, abuse of alcohol, domestic violence, unauthorized absences, or even fighting can position a service member for brig time.
For Marines who cross the line, the justice process includes, but is not limited to non-judicial punishments, court-martials, brig time and working parties.
Some Marines accept the challenges of managing those individuals through escort and example.
They are simply known as “chasers.”
“Some of the guys you will be transporting to and from the brig, you might have known,” said Cpl. Austin Kolberg, training non-commissioned officer at Navy Consolidated Brig, Chesapeake, Va. “Set your boundaries right off the bat and uphold your professionalism at all times.”
Kolberg and Cpl. Joseph Jacuk, with the Mobile Training Team Navy Consolidated Brig, Chesapeake, Va., taught classes on professionalism, policy and various other topics during a Chasers Course on May 6, 2013, at Yale Hall aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. The purpose of this class was to train and certify Marine chasers.
In addition to their classes, the Marines practiced restraining prisoners using handcuffs and ankle restraints.
“The instructors weren’t boring,” said Vanessa Amaya, The Basic School, supply warehouse clerk. I didn’t know much about chasers before I came, so I learned a lot today.”
There are qualifications to become a chaser, although they vary from brig to brig. Many brigs’ qualifications include some proficiency in the area of maturity and emergency response and many have some regulation concerning time in service and/or rank.
“Chasers help rehabilitate the prisoners by showing discipline,” said Jacuk. “They set the example.”
Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil