Are US forces taking CBRN training seriously enough?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 01:17:29 -0500

Me and my team worked on a unofficial CBRN estimate on North Korea as a learning exercise recently. I don't know how many others have really looked at what the potential capabilities are, but I found it to be eye opening.

Obviously I can only discuss freely available open source information here. I am curious about other 74D thoughts (or anyone) on things in the world right now.

Response by SSG Rev,Dr,Tony Taylor,DD made Dec 19 at 2017 4:40 AM

SSG Rev,Dr,Tony Taylor,DD — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 04:40:38 -0500

I am a old CBRN NCO dragon

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2017 9:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 09:48:07 -0500

The last time I had any CBRN training was 2012 for individual training before I was going to deploy to Afghanistan as a late deployer (didn't deploy). We just had to put on a gas mask and the overalls within a certain amount of time. Otherwise I haven't had much training. In my first unit there were times set up to go to the gas chamber. I didn't for some reason. I can't remember why. That's the last time I was in any unit that did anything like that.

Response by SPC Darrel Burt made Dec 19 at 2017 9:56 AM

SPC Darrel Burt — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 09:56:39 -0500

I was a 54B and then a 74D. I have done this MOS my entire military career. As for others within the company taking what I did seriously, they did not. I was the only one who loved what I did and I learned a lot from it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2017 11:54 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 11:54:57 -0500

I recently took some CBRN courses online for my CCC. It was eye-opening, disturbing, and worrisome. There was some really good information in there but for a lot of it, I came away from it resigned to stick my head in the sand, try not to think about it, and hope it never happens. Probably not the best approach but some of it can be so disastrous I wonder if our TTP's would even do what we hope they will.

Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Dec 19 at 2017 2:24 PM

SGT Frank Pritchett — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 14:24:34 -0500

No, I once had a Major tell me that CBRN is a waste of money and training, most commanders don't even know how to use the CBRN NCO or understand the MOS. It is very valuable to the Unit if properly used. Remember the enemy always strikes where you least expect and the Communist Doctrine advocates the use of chemical warfare, my training was for 74DL4

Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Dec 19 at 2017 3:05 PM

SGT Frank Pritchett — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 15:05:06 -0500

I wanted to add this Picture. On the back it is dated 1939 when Germany said they would not use Chemical Warfare. The Original was donated to Ft. Leonard Wood Mo.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Dec 19 at 2017 4:56 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 19 Dec 2017 16:56:00 -0500

Well it depends on what you consider "seriously enough". Like all training, some won't take it seriously because "it'll never happen to me" and others take it to heart. I don't know if things changed, but I had to take this training annually and the class was almost a full 8 hours long and that included the videos, the practical applications, the suiting up and dressing down in mop gear, even decontamination practices.

I was one of those that took it to heart, but do you think there's something we're not training for, or are you commenting on the average service members lack of appreciation for the seriousness of the subject matter.

Response by SSG Mark Tsunokai made Dec 22 at 2017 11:29 AM

SSG Mark Tsunokai — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 11:29:54 -0500

You need the support of higher, if you really want an effective CBRN Defense plan and effective training plan for your unit. As a Guard/Reserve CBRN NCOIC at the Company and Battalion Level, I found myself at the unit inspecting PM and CBRN equipment during non- drill weekends. I enjoyed being a CBRN NCOIC, but when I became the BN CBRN NCOIC, things got harder. I had a entire BN to take care of, instead of just a Company. Luckily I had the support of the BN CDR and Operations OIC, but they also have their directives they have to meet from BDE.

Response by MSG Steve Wiersgalla made Dec 22 at 2017 10:25 PM

MSG Steve Wiersgalla — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 22:25:25 -0500

Way back in the late '80's and early 90's we were still taking NBC/ CBRN threat very seriously. Every training event/ field problem contained NBC training. MOPP training was always on the training schedule, as was personal and vehicle decontamination. We even used cs in the field as a young soldier it was a pain in the ...... but looking back it was huge threat. There were several time in the Desert Storm that caused the alarms to be sounded. As Mech Infantry and M1A1 Tank Crewman we are requited to pass gunnery engagements in gas masks. To tell you the truth I don't even remember when we stopped carrying protective masks. I honestly don't think the threat had ever gone away but rather focus has changed do to operating on an unconventional battlefield. To answer your question No I don't think US forces take CBRN training serious enough.

Response by SSG Rev,Dr,Tony Taylor,DD made Jan 6 at 2018 3:01 PM

SSG Rev,Dr,Tony Taylor,DD — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 15:01:16 -0500

I am a older disabled chemical weapons specialist dragon and no I say the military is not taking CBRN training very seriously when I was trained in CBRN we trained 8hrs a day in our training and once our training was over and we started our CBRN jobs we still had more training to do to start training our troops for CBRN training

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 6 at 2018 3:05 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 15:05:57 -0500

No, since the wars in the middle east CBNE has been down played.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 4:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 16:50:34 -0400

Most units in the Army do not allow enough time for CBRN training or to protect from it. When I was at my unit at Ft. Riley, I always pushed for training but was told Concertina wire is more important. I always wonder why some people need a brick wall to fall on them in order to know a brick wall is falling. How many CBRN Specialist were deployed to Hawaii to assist and train.?

Response by SGM (R) Antonio Brown made Jul 4 at 2018 10:42 AM

SGM (R) Antonio Brown — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 10:42:25 -0400

No. Units do not understand that CBRN is a condition of the battlefield and not separate. If there is no top down emphasis then units will continue to push it to the side. With a little bit of work CBRN can be introduced to a unit at the lowest level while in garrison. Grabbing an hour of training here and there and taking advantage of white space on the training calendar will help build the confidence of the unit members. Once the Commander sees that his unit can train on CBRN tasks without obstructing his/her overall mission they will be more receptive. Examples: Outside the unit the mortar team is practicing sighting the gun and practicing fire procedures. Having made prior coordination, add protective masks and gloves into the mix. Transporters while conducting maintenance can perform those functions with masks and gloves. The level can be increased with confidence. It takes some effort because there will always be resistance.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 7:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 19:32:53 -0500

Interesting reas. In my opinion and from an infantryman perspective, we see CBRN as a joke. Now, not all, but different aspects of it. A lot of it has to do with, if we were under a chemical attack, we are "F" anyway. Which is a fair way as seeing it. Also, I know in my years in the Marines and now the Army, it was always this quick class or somehow this 2 hr random class that the unit all of a sudden says we need. We need consistent classes and or training on it.