What can a new Lieutenant expect to do on a day to day basis as a 74A (CBRN) if assigned to a combat arms unit?

2018-01-25T18:02:34-05:00

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 25 at 2018 7:29 PM

2018-01-25T19:29:12-05:00

Whatever additional duties and taskings the unit has each day... Outside of Korea, CBRN personnel are kinda like the arms on a T-Rex...

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 25 at 2018 7:55 PM

2018-01-25T19:55:34-05:00

You are now the LT running the gas chamber exercises and being a staff POG at BN level. They will use your input if they are smart, but it doesn't always happen.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 3:55 PM

2018-01-26T15:55:29-05:00

Probably USR.

Response by COL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2018 10:39 AM

2018-02-01T10:39:21-05:00

Most Active component combat arms units use the Chemo to do the USR. If you want my unsolicited advice, I was in the same shoes you are in. You will always have to do that type of work. But what you want to try to do is get either really smart in the unit's TTP's or volunteer to fix big issues and then fix them. I was in an Armor BN for several years, I despise tanks, only set foot in one, once. However, I became smart on my BN's TTP's and my leadership knew that if their was an issue I would fix it. When I left that BN I was the senior battle CPT, and even was assigned as the HHC XO for a couple of years. Just my two cents.

Response by COL Cedrick Farrior made Feb 2 at 2018 10:29 PM

2018-02-02T22:29:45-05:00

Having had the opportunity to serve as a Battalion Chemical Officer as a young 2LT in a Light Infantry Battalion on my first assignment it was an eye opening experience. Chemical Officers are in a unique position because you are expected to do a lot of other jobs that have nothing to do with being a CBRN Officer. Besides USR which only occurs once a month you will spend most of your time doing other assignments in support of the battalion. That’s not a bad thing. You will probably be known as the Jack of all trades and hopefully master of many. You will be expected to learn your organization’s mission and how it fights. In the beginning it will be a big challenge but will pay off in the end. As a CBRN Officer I have served in many none CBRN units and had the opportunity to not only Command a CBRN Company but also an Artillery Battery as well as Command at the Battalion and Brigade level. It all started with that challenging experience as the Battalion CHEMO. If you have any additional questions please feel free to email me at [login to see] . Good Luck and enjoy the experience.

Response by COL Rich McKinney made Feb 2 at 2018 10:57 PM

2018-02-02T22:57:47-05:00

I was one of the very first 74A to be assigned to combat units under the H Series MTOE in 1980. Much of what you will do is what I and my peers created - good or bad. When we gathered together over a beer or 12 at the Advance Course in '84 we found one thing that was the biggest driver of success. If you go in as the ChemO, you will probably fail. If you go in there as the Asst S-3/ChemO, you will probably succeed. Let that sink in, write it on a post it note, thumb tack it to your forehead. The Bn needs a stable head in the S-3 shop, and the other LT's will come and go. YOU are the stability. USE it. First, become an indispensable Operations Officer. Then you will be able to insert survivability into all facets of the Bn. NBC is not an objective. It is a condition. Commander, can you defend a battle position? Now, can you defend it in the dark? Now, can you defend it when your comms get jammed? Now can you defend it under active Chem? Now, are you at the graduate level that you can do all of the above. The ChemO can't ask that, but the Asst S-3/ChemO can.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2018 11:09 PM

2018-02-02T23:09:57-05:00

You might attempt to get an assignment over at Group, from what I understand, your skill set really gets utilized.

Response by SFC Stanley Sayers made Apr 11 at 2018 1:01 PM

2018-04-11T13:01:52-04:00

That is a tough question as there are different types of assignments. If your going to be a platoon leader in a Chemical company then you of course need to get the Commanders guidance on what he expects of you. Trust your Platoon Sergeant and let him lead his soldiers. Pass to him the Commanders guidance on what he wants your platoon to accomplish and your Plt Sgt will get it done. As a new Lt. Observe and ask questions of the Plt Sgt if you don’t understand something. This will help you become the Subject Matter Expert you need to be. If there is equipment your not to familiar with then get your hands dirty and learn it! You need to know everything your men do.
Finally, if you are assigned to a staff position you most certainly be under the gun to perform. You will most likely have a fairly knowledgeable NCO to assist you for planning and conducting training. Your S3 Officer will give you his guidance as to what he expects you to accomplish. These include things related to your career field but also extra duties and responsibilities he may feel fit to assign you. Your NCO can help you.
As a new Lt. always seek improvement in your job knowledge and your leadership skills. Knowledge is power.
Encourage those you lead to excel. Advise them to improve both in job performance and educationally.
Finally, remember I said to listen to your NCO’s well you should until they give you reason not to. Most of your NCO’s will more than likely outstanding. However, sometimes you will find some who fall short of the bar. Then you have a choice. Either help him become better professionally if he is capable or move him out and find an NCO that can do the job. Your company 1ST SGT has a wealth of knowledge and you can get his advice if you have an NCO issue. Overall let your NCO’s take care of the troops. However, as a leader I always found a way to reward my soldiers for a job well done. You’ll find your ways to reward those who work for you too! Good Luck in your Career!

Response by SSG William Zopff III made May 4 at 2018 8:48 PM

2018-05-04T20:48:51-04:00

LT, you probably already have you answer. I was a Chemical Surety NCO at Kirk US Army Health Clinic among my other duties. I was in charge of 3 ChemDecon teams at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; from 1992 to 1996. During that time we had to decon Tech-Escort unit at least three times for possible exposure to Phosgene and Chlorine gases discharged from bunker openings. We had to monitor radio traffic from Edgewood Area APG, for wind direction and emission projections. We would send our teams over in separate vehicles and time intervals. We had the real gear and auto-injectors. You’ll have all your own gear and carry extra for the battalion, alarms, etc.

SSG retired