Consequently, thousands of servicemen participated in one way or another in nearly every test. Many considered it an honor to participate. Most were probably more concerned with living conditions aboard ship or at Nevada's Camp Desert Rock staging area than with potential dangers. When it came to the blast itself, however, nearly everyone was awed. Typically, troops were told to face away from the blast and hold an arm over their closed eyes to protect against the explosion's incredible brightness.
Many troops recall the eerie ability to see through flesh, even with their eyes closed.
All the colors in the spectrum caroused through that ball of super heat, and it was absolutely beautiful. We were awestruck. My jaw dropped to around my knees. It was an exciting experience, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Terrance's comments reveal the range of mixed emotions experienced by many atomic veterans.